Former Delta Commissioner Commends Warri Kings, Urges Support For Peace

Former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has commended traditional rulers in Warri Federal Constituency for their renewed efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

Okumagba, who holds the traditional titles of Udu of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom and Eruvwu R’Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, in a statement urged indigenes across the constituency to support the peace initiative and allow past grievances to give way to dialogue, unity and development.

He said sustained peace and brotherliness among the various ethnic groups would enable the people to channel their energies towards attracting development to Warri and improving the livelihoods of residents.

Okumagba noted that the Olu of Warri Kingdom is the paramount ruler of the Itsekiri Nation and its territories in Warri Federal Constituency, while other independent kingdoms in the constituency have their respective recognised traditional rulers.

He listed the Oroseun of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Amakusu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Agadegba of Egbema Kingdom and Pere of Isaba Kingdom among the traditional rulers in the constituency.

According to him, the current engagement among the traditional rulers represents a new era of peaceful coexistence, with the various kings demonstrating a willingness to respect one another and promote harmony among their people.

Okumagba particularly commended recent meetings between the Olu of Warri Kingdom and the Amakusu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, as well as subsequent meetings between the Olu and the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom and the Oroseun of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.

He urged the traditional rulers to sustain the engagements, saying their leadership was crucial to building lasting peace and mutual respect across the constituency.

The former commissioner also called on the people to rise above past hurts and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence, noting that unresolved grievances that could not be settled through dialogue should be taken to the courts for peaceful resolution.

He said the priority of the people should now be to work across ethnic lines to attract infrastructure projects and investments to Warri Federal Constituency, while creating opportunities for gainful employment and thriving businesses.

Okumagba further called for unity, inter-ethnic harmony and mutual respect among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo, urging all residents to work together for the development of the constituency.