By Oghenefejiro Emado
26, February 2026
The Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has launched multi-stakeholder peacebuilding dialogue in Warri, Delta State, aiming to de-escalate tensions among the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups and strengthen bonds of peaceful coexistence among the people.
Addressing the gathering at King George Hall, Warri South Local Government Area,
the CEPEJ National ,Coordinator and Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdoms in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Sheriff Mulade noted that “the peace initiative aligns with CEPEJ’s sustained advocacy for durable peace and stability in Warri and neighbouring areas.
He explained there are two major triggers of war: in our contemporary society which includes conflict investors and conflict beneficiaries and this has made eliminating conflicts a great challenge.
Comrade Mulade however stressed that everything possible can be done to de-escalate and make conflict unattractive by consolidating on the existing harmony in Warri Federal Constituency.
The key objectives: of the gathering was to:
– Restore the glory of Warri
– Rebuild trust
– Promote unity
– Prevent conflict through sustained engagement
*Stakeholders Involved:*
– Community leaders
– Security agencies
– Market traders
– Civil society organizations
– Representatives of various ethnic nationalities
He expressed appreciation to market women and representatives of non-indigenes including the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Isoko, Kogi and Igala communities for their participation.
Comrade Mulade noted “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 lauded the participants for their commitment and called for continued collaboration to ensure a peaceful and inclusive Warri.
Dr. Austin Onuoha,Adjunct Faculty, National Peace Academy, Abuja, in his keynote speech emphasized the importance of unity and collective responsibility for lasting peace in Warri.
Outcome
A 20-member Warri Indigenes and Residents Peacebuilding Committee (WIRPC) was inaugurated to:
– Deepen stakeholder engagement
– De-escalate tensions
– Sustain dialogue
– Reinforce peaceful practices
The committee, according to Mulade, is “mandated to deepen stakeholder engagement, de-escalate tensions, sustain dialogue and reinforce peaceful practices across communities
The committee will operate for one year within which remarkable progress would have been achieved.
In attendance at the peacebuilding dialogue was a wide spectrum of stakeholders, comprising community leaders, security agencies, market traders, civil society organizations and representatives of the various ethnic nationalities resident across Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.
Communities represented included Okere Urhobo Kingdom Communities, Itsekiri Communities, Agbarha-Warri Kingdom Communities and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom communities, among others.
Representatives of the Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Kogi-Igala and Isoko communities residence in Delta State were equally present.
The session which focused on “restoring the glory of Warri, rebuilding trust, promoting unity and preventing conflict through sustained engagement” also had in attendance security and civil society leaders, including, SP Musa Yau-Kangiwa, DPO ‘A’ Division, Warri; ASP Hezekiah Okpabi (representing ‘B’ Division, Warri); 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 event was a unity drama display which postulated the importance of coexistence and unity among the various ethnic groups in Warri
