Francis Tayor
In continuation of his efforts in supporting the government to foster sustainable peace among the various ethnic groups in the State, a renowned Niger Delta human and environmental rights advocate, High Chief Comrade. Sheriff Mulade (Ph.D), has called on the three major ethnic groups of ltsekiri, Urhobo and ljaw in Warri Federal Constituency to embrace one another and imbibed in the spirit of ethnic tolerance towards sustaining the existing peace in the oil rich city so as to attract foreign investors as well as accelerated development to the rural communities.
Comrade Mulade gave the charge on Thursday December 4, at Ugbori Town Hall of Warri South Local Government Area of the State, during A-Day peace building awareness creation campaign for peaceful coexistence in Warri Federal Constituency.
The peace building awareness campaign sponsored by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with Warri Peace Community Support lnitiative, Delta State Civil Society Forum and ltsekiri youths and women of Warri Kingdom.
Mulade, who is the lbesorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom stated that development can only spread to riverine communities when there is peace.
He reiterated that there is the urgent need for the various Warri kingdoms to come together as one in order to discuss the way forward towards peaceful coexistence, citing that all the four seaports in Delta State, especially warri, Koko, sapele and Burutu is dead due to the incessant crisis in warri.
He made the youths to understand that the political class will cause crisis among the people during elections, and thereafter settle themselves in Abuja while leaving the innocent youths in the community to kill themselves.
Mulade further stressed that peace can only exist in the presence of justice, while calling on the Federal and State governments to ensure justice in Warri and its environs so as to attract both local and foreign investors to come and invest in Warri.
In a related development, Dr. Sylvester Okoh emphasized that to promote sustainable peace and peaceful coexistence in Warri, there must be mutual respect for one another, continue dialogue, love one another, forgive, tolerate and living together as one people.
On his part, a leader from the ltsekiri nation, Hon. Omadeli Bobby aka Ratata advocated for the need of peaceful coexistence among the ljaws, ltsekiris and Urhobos in the Warri Federal Constituency. He lamented the high rate of unemployment in the state, stressing that without peace, no oil company or investors would be interested to come. He therefore, urged the youths to tow the part of peace.
In her contribution, pastor Bridget Apiah, a renowned 'Girl Child Rights' advocate admonished the youths to believe in themselves and refused to be used by selfish politicians who took advantage of their ignorance and lack of self identity.
Highpoint of the meeting was drama presentation by youths from the community, depicting the importance of fair and equitable distribution of the common wealth of the people among the various host communities as a panacea for peace and sustainable development in the state.
However, the event was attended by representative of Warri Peace Community Support lnitiative, Hon. Emmanuel Ado, Prof. Andrew, Dr. Sylvester Okoh, Hon. Omadeli Bobby, Pst. Bridget Apiah, civil society organizations and youth leaders from the various communities across ltsekiri nation in Warri South LGA.
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