Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (retd) has sued for peace among the various tribes in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State ahead of the second coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The retired naval officer, who contested as a candidate for the Delta South Senatorial district on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections, made the call during a Peace Cup competition organised as part of the activities marking the Olu's coronation, and that held at Yonwuren College in Ugbuwangue community on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Commodore Nesiama, who was Chairman of the ceremony, was represented by an Assistant Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Warri Office, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolone.

Commodore Nesiama urged the two teams: the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and the Ugbuwangue Community FC, to engage in the game in the spirit of love, stressing that ”This (sports) is what would bring about the much desired peace, unity and development to the towns and cities.”

The Commodore of Hope as he is called, said that, as a sports administrator and a World Athletics Licensed Manager, he would encourage efforts that promote sports development from the government, groups, or individuals.

He said: “I see it as a worthy venture to celebrate the 2nd Coronation Anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and to encourage the promotion of peace among the ethnic nationalities in and around the Warri Kingdom.

"I would soon be liaising with the organisers of this event on how we can make it a lot bigger while also involving other sports like athletics where I have a lot more stake nationally and internationally,” he added.

Commodore Nesiama used the medium to congratulate the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM. Ogiame Atuwatse III as he celebrated his second coronation anniversary on the throne especially for the giant strides he has made and still making to bring about peace and human capital development in the state, in particular, and the country at large. He therefore prayed for his long and successful reign.              

Meanwhile, the revered Monarch who was represented at the ceremony by Chief Gabriel Awala, the Uwangue of Warri Kingdom, during an interview session said Warri had never been divided the way it is at the moment, and called on the people of Warri to be united in everything they do.

Chief Awala, who was flanked by Chief Patrick Yalaju, another prominent chief, recalled what it was like living in the popular oil city when he said: "In those days in Warri, nobody knows who is an Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo and all that."

The Uwangue of Warri Kingdom also use the medium to encourage the youths to sustain the Peace Cup competition, which is aimed at uniting the people of the different tribes in Warri.

The football match which lasted for an hour and thirty minutes saw the INYC FC defeat their counterpart, Ugbuwangue Community FC 3-2 amidst cheers.   

Present at the event were Alhaji Zuberu Mohammed Tajudeen, the Etsu-Nupe of Warri and its environs; Bishop Agbolaya of the African Church, Warri; Comrade Ejoh Dimas, Chairman, Delta State Referee Council; and the Commandant, Nigeria Defense Academy, Security / Lions of Iwere Nation’s Security, Warri, Yuppy Inspector.

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