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By Emmanuel Ogoigbe
In a bold move to address recurring ethnic tensions in Warri Federal Constituency, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) on Tuesday convened a high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable dialogue aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State.
The peacebuilding dialogue, held at King George Hall in Warri South Local Government Area, attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, security agencies, civil society groups, market women and representatives of various ethnic nationalities resident in Warri.
Communities represented at the dialogue included Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Itsekiri communities, Agbarha-Warri Kingdom and Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, among others. Also present were representatives of non-indigene communities such as Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Kogi-Igala and Isoko residents in Delta State.
Addressing participants, CEPEJ National Coordinator and Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, PhD, said the initiative aligns with the organisation’s sustained advocacy for durable peace and stability in Warri and neighbouring communities
Mulade identified what he described as the “two major triggers of war” in contemporary society — conflict investors and conflict beneficiaries — noting that while eliminating conflict may be difficult, stakeholders must work collectively to de-escalate tensions and make violence unattractive.
He stressed the need to consolidate existing harmony within Warri Federal Constituency and its environs, commending market women and representatives of Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Isoko, Kogi and Igala communities for their active participation.
“Warri Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo are one. We have lived in peace even before now. Warri is our own, and the essence of peace is to consolidate and strengthen it,” Mulade stated.
He lauded the commitment of participants and called for sustained collaboration to build an inclusive and peaceful Warri.
The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Austin Onuoha, Adjunct Faculty, National Peace Academy, Abuja, who urged all ethnic groups to embrace unity and collective responsibility as the bedrock for lasting peace in the area.
Security and civil society leaders in attendance included SP Musa Yau-Kangiwa, DPO ‘A’ Division, Warri; ASP Hezekiah Okpabi representing ‘B’ Division; Prof. Andrew Agboro, Chairman, Delta State Civil Society Organisations; Sylvester Okoh, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Warri Peace Community Support Initiative; and ASP Obehi Idiake, Station Officer, ‘A’ Division, Warri.
A major highlight of the programme was a unity drama presentation underscoring the importance of coexistence among the ethnic nationalities in Warri.
The dialogue culminated in the inauguration of a 20-member Warri Indigenes and Residents Peacebuilding Committee (WIRPC), comprising representatives of Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and non-indigene communities.
According to Mulade, the committee is mandated to deepen stakeholder engagement, de-escalate tensions, sustain dialogue and reinforce peaceful practices across communities. The committee is expected to operate for one year, within which significant progress is anticipated.
