A renowned peace and development advocate in the Niger Delta region, Comrade Mulade Sheriff PhD, has urged the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities of Delta State to foster bonds of unity and friendship in order to attract investors to their communities and drive positive development and growth.
Comrade Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, made the call while addressing leaders from the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups in Warri.
The United Nations Peace Ambassador appealed to leaders from both groups to embrace peace, unite, and let love lead in their collective pursuit of sustainable development—free from bias and ethnic supremacy—which he described as “the only way we can grow and develop our areas”.
Speaking further, he said:
“Frankly, we are disgracing ourselves, and it is highly disappointing that many of us are beating the drum of ethnic war for personal interest and recognition.
“Please, we don’t need division, but progressive ties that will attract investors and development to our communities,” he pleaded.
Comrade Mulade further argued that the Ijaw and Itsekiri people contribute significantly to both state and national revenues, yet are not adequately recognised in terms of infrastructure—an issue exacerbated by ongoing ethnic acrimony.
“It is imperative to state that the Ijaw and Itsekiri areas in Delta State contribute the highest quota to the oil and gas industry, as well as the blue economy, yet we are deliberately deprived, neglected, and short-changed in terms of development because of ethnic division and hatred amongst ourselves,” he asserted.
“I want to strongly appeal to our revered traditional rulers, political leaders, and stakeholders to allow peace and development to thrive.
“We are victims of underdevelopment due to our individual and ethnic pride, which is hindering our progress. Today, all development efforts are concentrated in the uplands, while the sources of the resources remain neglected,” he lamented.
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