A group in Delta inducts peace initiators for Iteskiri, Ijaw 

By Badmus Shina

A Non Governmental Organisation, the Partner for Peace (P4P), an NGO set up for peace promotion and conflict resolution in the Niger Delta region, under the umbrella of PIND, on Tuesday, May 14 2019, inducted 40 persons from Gbokoda (Iteskiri) and Opuama (Ijaw) Communities in Delta state, to become peace initiators for the organization and humanity.

It was after a 4 month training programme initiated by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) and funded by PIND that these persons were inducted into the peace movement.

Comrade Sherrif Mulade, the National Coordinator of CEPEJ in a statement made available to GbaramatuVoice said the induction was in order to sustain the peaceful coexistence between Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups in the Benin River in Warri North Local Government of the State.

The comrade added that the programme was aimed at training community members on peace building and on how to handle early warning response and reports that could lead to unrest in the areas, and apply prompt techniques and skills in conflict management as well as skills in peace building process to handle such situation.

According to him, “The programme has contributed to reduction of conflicts and foster peaceful coexistence in the two communities (Opuama and Gbokoda), increased  community participation in peace development interventions, increased community member awareness on use and application of early warning response and reporting mechanism for conflict prevention among the ethnic groups and promote dialogue and rebuild relationships among the two ethnic groups.”

The P4P group led by Chief Africas Lawal, the newly inducted members were advised not to see themselves as different ethnic groups, but to consider themselves as one.

“Don’t see yourselves as Itsekiri or Ijaw in order to ensure your advocacy as peace actors is not shaken, and ensure to preach peace everywhere you went,” Lawal said.

He further encouraged the newly inducted peace crusaders to always share information as it was a very key factor to peace building.

The programme highlighted the urgency for election of the new executives that would lead the new found peace actors in achieving their goal for sustainable peace in the areas. Amongst the members present, 6 executives were elected by the group into various offices.

For the office of Coordinator, Mr. Ebiye Kinkin and Mr. Roland Ojobon were both elected from the two ethnic group, for the office of Secretary; Mr. Thursday Keren, for Treasurer; Mrs. Ebi Praise God, Pro/Documentation; Mr. Isaac Fregene and Mrs. Misan Atumu as Financial Secretary.