By Emmanuel Ogoigbe
The Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) on Thursday took a bold step towards restoring harmony in Warri with the inauguration of the Warri Indigene and Residents Peacebuilding Committee, alongside the rollout of strategic engagement programmes aimed at strengthening unity among the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
The initiative which brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including community leaders, government representatives, market unions, civil society groups, security agencies, and non-indigenous residents took place at its maiden peace-building meeting, thus signaling a united front to prevent future conflicts and rebuild trust across the oil-rich city.
The National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, while speaking at the event stressed that “lasting peace in Warri is achievable through deliberate efforts to de-escalate tensions, promote neutrality, and strengthen information-sharing channels” and urged stakeholders to embrace advocacy-driven solutions that foster coexistence rather than division.
A seven-member executive committee was inaugurated to steer the peace initiative, with Mr. Chuks Awogu emerging as Chairman. Other members comprise Toriitseju Igbiaye (Co-Chairman I), Eburu Emuaghogho (Co-Chairman II), Erediegha Precious (Co-Chairwoman III), Comrade Hilda Amogha (Spokesperson), and Mrs. Hajara Abubakar (Secretary).
Mulade charged the newly inaugurated executives to “rise above ethnic loyalties and remain committed to fairness and inclusivity”, noting that peace remains a critical foundation for development.
He also highlighted the efforts of the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, emphasizing that “sustained peace is vital for attracting investment and driving economic growth in the state”.
Reinforcing the call for focus and commitment, Abbey Kalio, Coordinator of SID Warri, urged the committee to remain dedicated to its core mandate and avoid distractions.
As part of its broader peace agenda, CEPEJ unveiled a series of capacity-building programmes, including stakeholder training, community engagements, advocacy campaigns, and inter-ethnic familiarization visits.
These initiatives, according to Mulade, are “designed to entrench dialogue and mutual understanding among Warri’s diverse populations”.
It is become imperative to strongly advise and appealed to crises and ethnic conflict sponsors and beneficiaries to desist but rather invest in ventures that would create employment opportunities for our teeming youths.
“No amount of crisis can displace the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo from Warri,” Mulade declared.
He maintained that “Conflict only leads to needless loss of lives, while peace creates opportunities for all.” I want to strongly appeal to our traditional and political leaders to kindly support, promote and endorse peaceful coexistence to attract investors and development to Warri and environs.
Earlier, CEPEJ Administrative Manager, Tina Agidi, outlined the meeting’s agenda, revealing a structured roadmap of programmes targeted at promoting peaceful coexistence.
Similarly, Senior Programme Officer, Samuel Ideh, reminded participants of Warri’s long-standing history of inter-ethnic unity, noting that peaceful collaboration remains beneficial to all residents.
With the inauguration of the committee and the rollout of people-centered programmes, CEPEJ’s latest intervention is being seen as a timely and practical move to douse tensions and lay the groundwork for lasting peace in Warri.
