Sustainable Peace: Gov Oborevwori Urges Delta Community Leaders To Promote Mediation, Dialogue

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged community leaders in the state to always show preference for mediation and dialogue in resolving disputes to ensure sustainable peace and development of the state. 

 A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that Governor Oborevwori said this  during  the meeting  he held with President-Generals of communities and kingdoms in Asaba, on Wednesday. 

The governor, who told the President-Generals that he is one of them having served as Chairman of Osubi community during which the  Airport was built, urged them to remain  resolute in handling issues. 

He also appealed to  the  President-Generals to ensure unity, peace, inclusiveness and accountability in their communities saying, ‘by doing this, you are bringing peace to your community because you cannot say you are President General and you don’t listen to your people who elected or appointed you’. 

‘Because that is the only thing that can make you succeed, serving the interest of the people not your personal interest. 

“When I was community  Chairman, I looked at the issues clearly. I stood by my people, but also I never wanted my people to oppress Shell. 

So, I was like a mediator, looking at Shell not to allow them to oppress the community, and also not to allow the community to be overbearing. That  was how we were able to complete the Phase 1 and 2 of the Osubi Airport. 

As communities there is no way there won’t be challenges. There are always conflicts, there are always challenges. There are community disputes, there are boundary disputes. But the best way to go about it is mediation and dialogue. 

Because when you fight, at the end of the day, you will still go back to that mediation to resolve  issues. Why not start with that mediation? Why not start with that dialogue? Why confrontation? 

I believe that the people we have here are very matured and experienced persons from the communities and the kingdoms. 

As a community leader, as a President General, you are holding that position of trust on behalf of your kingdom and your community. 

So, you must do the right thing to bring peace and unity to your community and your kingdom. So, by resolving it, solve all the problems instead of going into confrontation’.

On security, Governor Oborevwori called on the community leaders to follow due process in resolving disputes and urged them to protect government projects within their respective neighborhoods while cautioning  against working at cross purposes with their traditional rulers. 

‘Working hand in hand with your traditional rulers will help you succeed.  Some President-Generals do not agree with their traditional rulers. Some of them are overbearing, but you have to manage them because their roles will complement what you are doing’ Governor Oborevwori added. 

The governor further said over N2 billion has been provided for road projects in each of the 25 local governments in the state and assured that the widows programme would be revisited in the first quarter of 2025. 

The governor’ s Special Adviser on Community Development, Dr Toyin Agbolayah,  noted the importance of President-Generals in the state, adding that there would be no  meaningful grassroots development without them

“When we have issues with communities we run to the President-Generals and they help us solve those issues. So, we cannot thank them enough’ he said. 

Earlier, President-General of the Delta State Forum of Kingdoms, Clans and communities, Prince Igwe Nzekwue thanked Governor Oborevwori for the numerous infrastructural developments across the state. 

He said the programmes and projects of the governor are already yielding fruits, adding that the people are happy with developments across the state within such a short time. 

He assured that the President-Generals will continue to support him beyond 2027 general election like they stood in his support him in 2023. 

Highpoint of the meeting which was attended by the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, was the endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a second  term in office. The endorsement was sequel to the motion moved by Chief Sunday Okiah of Abala clan, in Ndokwa East and seconded by Prince Godwin Okotie of Itsekiri nation which was subsequently adopted through a voice vote-Team@orientactualmags.com   Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you.