The renewed move for peace in Warri 

There has been a renewed move for peace in Warri. Over the past few months the messaging from the kings in Warri has been one of peace and accommodation, with the kings holding amicable meetings at various occasions. This is a far cry from what was heard about the area for many many years. Years of bitterness and acrimony have only produced violence, death and destruction, with businesses closing shop and the city losing its allure. Now, the kings are leading the way. 

Over the last few weeks, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, HRM Ataneru Igbi II; the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, HRM Owhotemu II; the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom and other Ijaw kings; covering the three indigenous ethnic groups in the three Warri Local Government Areas have held meetings themed at peacebuilding and harmonious coexistence. This is highly commendable and marks a heartwarming departure from the past. It is good that a new generation of leaders of the Warri area are trying to forge a fresh start for peace and harmony.

Speaking at his 5th Coronation Anniversary where he also launched the Warri Unity Games on August 15th, 2026, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, who is the traditional ruler of the Itsekiris said: “Our beloved people, our honoured neighbours, our distinguished guests — we welcome you, with joy in our heart, to this first edition of the Warri Unity Games. It is our hope, and indeed our firm conviction, that these Games will reveal a simple truth that far more unites us than divides us. And beyond that, they will show us something greater still — that when we rise above our past hurts, rise above our traumas, rise above our suspicions, and rise above our differences, we become capable of attaining a powerful, collective destiny. We are all too aware of patterns — of how history seeks to repeat itself, holding people in place. And too often, it is pride, placed above every other consideration, that destroys the beautiful thing and the great intention.’ The Olu praised and commended the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom who was present at the event and with whom he bantered in the beautiful Warri pidgin, both exchanging pleasantries and hope for a new progressive culture of oneness in Warri. 

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On Thursday, September 17, the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, the other indigenous Urhobo kingdom in Warri South LGA, and the Olu of Warri Kingdom held a private meeting in Abuja. The meeting, as reported by the media, “discussed issues relating to peace and peaceful relations between their respective Kingdoms and subjects.” 

According to a report in The Vanguard newspaper, “During the meeting, the monarchs agreed on the importance of encouraging their subjects to promote peace, mutual respect and understanding, while recognising the need for responsible leadership and continued dialogue in maintaining stability within Warri South. Both traditional rulers further committed themselves to working together to foster an atmosphere of peace and cooperation among the various communities and peoples of the area. 

The monarchs also agreed to sustain direct engagement with each other through periodic meetings and consultations, recognising continued dialogue as an important avenue for strengthening relationships and addressing issues that may arise from time to time. The two monarchs expressed the expectation that their respective subjects would reciprocate this commitment by conducting themselves in a manner that promotes peace, respect and unity. 

They called on all stakeholders and community leaders to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and ensuring that differences are addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement. The monarchs reaffirmed that the interests of peace, stability and the wellbeing of the people of Warri South remain a shared responsibility and require the cooperation of traditional institutions, community leaders and residents alike. 

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by both Kingdoms to maintain open channels of communication, deepen mutual understanding and work collectively towards lasting peace and harmonious coexistence in Warri South Local Government Area.” It is interesting to note, too, that in June of this year, 2026, the Olu had paid a visit to the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri Southwest LGA. The Amakosu is an Ijaw traditional ruler in the Warri area.

These positive engagements undertaken by the kings have been warmly received by stakeholders and indigenes of Warri who pray that it will herald a new template of cooperation, peace and progress for the indigenous tribes and residents. In a report published by the media, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance and an indigene of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom with Chieftaincy Titles from both Okere-Urhobo and Agbarha-Warri Kingdoms said: “Peace and brotherliness amongst all ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency will ensure that all our energies are devoted to bringing development to Warri and enhancing the livelihoods of all our people in Warri.” 

Olorogun Okumagba stated that, “We will all need to commit to peaceful coexistence with mutual respect, adding that: “this peaceful coexistence and mutual respect should be embraced by  all indigenes of our Warri Federal Constituency. It is heartwarming to see that the Kings of the various kingdoms are in the forefront of the renewed initiative at peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. I commend the recent meetings that have taken place between the Olu of Warri Kingdom and the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom Warri as well as the Olu’s subsequent meetings with the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom and the Oroseun of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom. I urge that these meetings continue.”

Olorogun Okumagba stated that “the focus for all our people should now be on working together across all ethnic nationalities – Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo – to attract Infrastructure Projects and Investments to Warri Federal Constituency and working together to ensure gainful employment and thriving businesses for our people from all ethnic nationalities in Warri.” Most observers are happy with these developments and the peacebuilding undertaken by the kings and all agree that this peaceful atmosphere needs to be embraced and sustained by the various governments and all stakeholders. 

Warri has suffered a lot from unnecessary ethnic clashes and tensions over the years. Unfortunately, many people have lost lives and property, and it gradually lost its investment allure for many businesses, forcing many to relocate out of the city. This image of a turbulent city is one that has done more harm to the prospects. The city needs new thinking to grow again and peacebuilding is definitely at the core. There must be a commitment by the leaders and stakeholders to good neighbourliness, respect for one another, the rule of law, and cooperation to rebuild what has been lost and more. The new peace initiatives must be embraced by all for the good of all.  

As the Olu said at the Unity Games, we should “not trade the promise of our tomorrow for the grievances of yesterday. Let the evil scorekeeping end, and let the only scores we keep be the ones of what we are building together. We live in a different time now, and we will no longer glorify an era that has no place in today’s Nigeria. We, for one, will not live in the past. We will make the present count. For God does not make mistakes. The same God who gave us boundaries also made us neighbours. We cannot build a new vision through old lenses, carrying old grudges and old suspicions.”

Paul Nwogu writes from Warri, Delta State.