Ekhator-Obogie Osaisonor Godfrey

Studies have shown that there remain only few landscapes on the Earth that is still in their natural state. Due to environmental changes, the Earth surface is being significantly altered in some manner and man‘s presence on the Earth and his use of land has had a profound effect upon the natural environment thus resulting into an accelerated growth in settlement expansion.1 Settlements are products of human activities. It is on this backdrop, this study examines the trends in the development of Okokhuo town with case study of Ovia North East local government. Ovia North East Local Government Area is in the south senatorial district of Edo. Its headquarters is Okada. It occupies a total land area of 2,301km² and a population of 153,849 (National Population Commission, 2006).2 The area is lowland and rises up to about 100 metres above sea level. It falls within the rainforest zone with tall trees and oil palm trees and also possesses freshwater swamp forest. The vegetation favour the production of cereal crops like maize, tuber crops like cassava, tree crops like oil palm and fish farming.3 The major occupations of the people in the community are farming especially poultry and piggery, hunting, fishing, and trading. The major communities in the LGA are Okada, Uhen, Utese, Okokhuo, Uhiere, Isiuwa, Ekiadolor, Oluku, Iguoshodin, Utoka, Oghede, Egbeta, Ora, and Ogbese.4 Okokhuo Village is located in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is among several Villages in Ovia North East Local Government Area that have suffered continuous herders` attack resulting in loss of properties in recent times. Generally, Okokhuo people trace their origin back to Benin, Okokhuo people according to oral tradition is one of the Edo speaking groups involved in the exodus from the Benin about the nineth century, during the rule of Oba Ogiso

Cultural norms and values are ingrained in the beliefs of every cultural group or people. Every culture contains a set of norms and values that are deeply embedded and taught as religious practices that allow certain individuals to try to connect. Like all other people, the Benin people have rich heritage which they have re-enact through festivals that are part of their culture and traditions. One such event that has persisted for a long time is the Igue festival celebrated annually by the Benin people. Overtime, this festival have become a phenomena where traditional beliefs are at work.1 In the Benin, the various ceremonies are traditional religious and cultural practices blended and married in an effort to connect people to the distant ancestral past. The ancestors, despite their distance, are acknowledged as the sustainers of everything. Without a doubt, the religious purposes associated with the Ugie (ceremonies) serve to both inspire and enlighten the people as humanity tries to connect with the divine through its cosmological experiences.2 Many religions, and cultures around the world have various festevals, which serve as reminder of things that are very important to the community

Background to the Study
The 20th century witnessed a significant shift in the nature of global conflicts, from interstate wars to intrastate conflicts, with a rising tide of ethnic and nationalist tensions. Against this backdrop, diplomatic strategies have emerged as a crucial tool in global conflict resolution. This research work provides an in-depth analysis of diplomatic strategies in global conflict resolution in the 20th century, tracing the evolution of diplomatic strategies from traditional state-centric approaches to more inclusive and multi-stakeholder frameworks. Historically, diplomatic strategies have played a vital role in preventing and resolving global conflicts. From the Concert of Europe to the League of Nations, international organizations have been instrumental in promoting diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts. The United Nations, established in 1945, has been at the forefront of global conflict resolution, providing a platform for diplomatic efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts