By Francis Sadhere, Warri
A leading Niger Delta-based human rights and advocacy group, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), on Tuesday convened a high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable dialogue aimed at de-escalating recurring tensions among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri, Delta State.
The peacebuilding dialogue, held at King George Hall in Warri South Local Government Area, brought together community leaders, security agencies, market traders, civil society organisations and representatives of various ethnic nationalities resident across Warri Federal Constituency.
Communities represented at the event included Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Itsekiri communities, Agbarha-Warri Kingdom and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, among others. Representatives of non-indigene groups such as the Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Kogi-Igala and Isoko communities residing in Delta State were also in attendance.
The dialogue, themed “Restoring the Glory of Warri, Rebuilding Trust, Promoting Unity and Preventing Conflict Through Sustained Engagement,” drew participation from key security and civil society leaders. Among them were SP Musa Yau-Kangiwa, Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, Warri; ASP Hezekiah Okpabi, representing ‘B’ Division; Prof. Andrew Agboro, Chairman of Delta State Civil Society Organisations; Sylvester Okoh, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Warri Peace Community Support Initiative; and ASP Obehi Idiake, Station Officer, ‘A’ Division.
Addressing participants, the CEPEJ National Coordinator and Ibe-Sorimowei of 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 “conflict investors and conflict beneficiaries” as major triggers of crises in contemporary society, noting that while eliminating conflicts may be challenging, deliberate efforts can be made to de-escalate tensions and make violence unattractive.
He called on stakeholders to consolidate the existing harmony in Warri Federal Constituency and commended market women and representatives of non-indigene 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 said, urging continued collaboration to promote peaceful coexistence.
In his keynote address, Dr. Austin Onuoha, Adjunct Faculty, National Peace Academy, Abuja, encouraged all ethnic groups to embrace unity and collective responsibility as the foundation for lasting peace in Warri.
A major highlight of the event was a unity drama presentation emphasising the importance of coexistence among the various ethnic groups. The dialogue also culminated in the inauguration of a 20-member Warri Indigenes and Residents Peacebuilding Committee (WIRPC), comprising representatives from the different ethnic nationalities, including non-indigenes.
According to Mulade, the committee is mandated to deepen stakeholder engagement, de-escalate tensions, sustain dialogue and reinforce peaceful practices across communities. The WIRPC is expected to operate for one year, within which significant progress is anticipated in strengthening trust and preventing conflict in Warri.
