Stakeholders from the indigenous ethnic nationalities of Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West local government areas that make up the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State have been tasked to work together to achieve unity and lasting peace in the Constituency as a panacea for development.

The charge was given at a programme tagged "Multi-Stakeholders / Roundtable Dialogue on Sustainable Peace in Warri" organised by the Chief Sheriff Mulade-led Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in Warri, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

In attendance at the programme are representatives of the various ethnic nationalities such as the Okere Urhobo Kingdom Communities, the Itsekiri Communities, the Agbarha-Warri Kingdom Communities, and the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom communities, as well as representatives of non-indigeneous groups comprising Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Isoko, Kogi, Igala communities among others.

Also in attendance are SP Musa Yau-Kangiwa, DPO 'A' Division, Warri; ASP Hezekiah Okpabi (representing ‘B’ Division, Warri); ASP Obehi Idiake, Station Officer, ‘A’ Division, Warri; Prof. Andrew Agboro, Chairman, Delta State Civil Society Organisations Forum (DELCOF); Dr. Austin Onuoha, Adjunct Faculty, National Peace Academy, Abuja; and Sylvester Okoh, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Warri Peace Community Support Initiative.

Speaking at the gathering, Chief Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of CEPEJ and Ibe-Sorimowei of ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, said, "This peace initiative aligns with CEPEJ’s sustained advocacy for durable peace and stability in Warri and neighbouring areas.

"It is imperative to state that in our contemporary society, there are two major triggers of war: conflict investors and conflict beneficiaries. Hence, eliminating conflicts becomes difficult challenge. However, we can do everything possible to de-escalate and make it unattractive.

“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," he added

He stressed further on the need to consolidate on the existing harmony in Warri Federal Constituency and its environs just as he expressed his appreciation to market women and representatives of non-indigenous communities for their participation, while he called for continuous collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and inclusive Warri.

In his keynote address, Dr. Onuoha, urged all ethnic groups to "embrace unity and collective responsibility as the foundation for lasting peace in Warri," and commended CEPEJ for the laudable initiative he noted breeds patriotism.

A major highlight of the programme was a unity drama presentation which postulated the importance of coexistence and unity among the various ethnic groups in Warri and the inauguration of a 20-member Warri Indigenes and Residents Peacebuilding Committee (WIRPC) drawn from the various ethnic nationalities, including non-indigenes of Warri.

The committee, according to Mulade, is "mandated to deepen stakeholder engagement, de-escalate tensions, sustain dialogue and reinforce peaceful practices across communities."

He also revealed that the committee will operate for one year within which remarkable progress would have been achieved.

View photos here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14UKm3T9mRY/

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