Former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has commended traditional rulers in Warri Federal Constituency for promoting peaceful coexistence and urged the people to support the renewed efforts toward peace and mutual respect among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
Okumagba, who made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, said sustained peace and brotherliness among the various ethnic groups would enable the people to channel their collective energies towards development and improved livelihoods in Warri Federal Constituency.
The former commissioner, who holds the traditional chieftaincy titles of Udu of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom and Eruvwu R’Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, both in Warri South Local Government Area, said the Olu of Warri Kingdom remains the paramount ruler of the Itsekiri people and territories within the constituency.
He, however, noted that there are other separate and independent kingdoms in the constituency, including Okere-Urhobo, Agbarha Warri, Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri, Egbema and Isaba, each with its recognised traditional ruler.
According to him, the new era of peace should be built around mutual respect among the traditional rulers and peaceful coexistence among the various kingdoms and ethnic nationalities.
Okumagba 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 meetings, saying their leadership in promoting peace would encourage their subjects to embrace unity and mutual respect.
“We will all need to rise above our past hurts and rise above our traumas and commit to a peaceful coexistence with mutual respect,” he said, adding that unresolved grievances that could not be settled through dialogue should be taken to the courts for peaceful resolution.
Okumagba said the priority should now be on working across ethnic lines to attract infrastructure projects and investments to Warri Federal Constituency, while creating opportunities for gainful employment and thriving businesses for the people.
He further called on the people to promote unity, mutual respect for the various kingdoms, inter-ethnic harmony and love, stressing that peace among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo would create a conducive environment for development across Warri Federal Constituency.