By Mercy Neme
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives within the Niger Delta (PIND) has inaugurated 30 Peace Influencers to strengthen peacebuilding and stop renewed tensions in Warri Federal Constituency.
The influencers had been inaugurated on Monday throughout PIND’s Peace Consolidation and Resilience Session underneath the Warri Peace Community Support Initiative (WPCSI) in Asaba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that the session introduced collectively representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities, together with ladies, youths and group leaders.
Speaking on the ceremony, PIND’s Executive Director, Mr Sam Daibo, stated the influencers would assist establish early warning indicators and stop tensions from escalating into violence.
Represented by Mr Chuks Ofulue, PIND’s Analysis and Advocacy Manager, Daibo stated their obligations included sharing credible info, encouraging restraint, selling dialogue and supporting well timed responses to rising conflicts.
He urged the influencers to confirm info earlier than sharing it and counter rumours and inflammatory communication by means of accountable messaging.
Daibo stated the initiative developed from the Warri Peace Stakeholders Platform, established in 2018 to deal with longstanding inter-ethnic tensions among the many Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo.
He stated the WPCSI had centered on constructing relationships, selling dialogue and supporting native actors to forestall disagreements from degenerating into violence.
According to him, the initiative’s Joint Implementation Committee has supported stakeholder engagement, advocacy and peace messaging throughout the realm.
He stated sustained public peace messages and engagement with authorities had been among the many efforts undertaken in 2026 to assist de-escalation and strengthen peace.
Daibo stated the peace consolidation session adopted the presidential peace intervention and commitments arising from it.
He defined that the session was not meant to reopen contested political points, debate ward allocation or assign blame, however to strengthen belief and sensible mechanisms for peaceable co-existence.
He stated members would look at shared considerations, enhance their understanding of battle early warning and response, and develop mediation and conflict-sensitive communication expertise.
Daibo stated the influencers can be linked to PIND’s Early Warning and Early Response system to facilitate well timed motion when threats to peace emerged.
He stated continued coordination, mentoring and peer studying would assist the influencers in finishing up their obligations inside their communities.
Daibo urged members to pay attention to 1 one other, keep away from provocative language, reject collective blame and give attention to shared pursuits and sensible options.
He referred to as on the Delta state authorities to deepen its partnership with the peace course of and join community-level initiatives with related state buildings.
He stated lasting stability required cooperation between trusted group actors and responsive establishments.
Daibo emphasised that the initiative’s sustainability would depend upon group possession, accountable info sharing and concrete actions by members after the session.
He stated the individuals of Warri, together with the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and different residents, deserved to reside, work and lift their households with out concern.
He added that peace couldn’t be sustained by means of agreements and conferences alone, however required people and communities to decide on restraint, verified info, dialogue and shared duty.
Meanwhile, some peace influencers who spoke with NAN recommended the initiative.
Chief Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, the Alaowei of Warri, supported the initiative to unite the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo, tackle longstanding grievances and promote peace and growth.
Chief Brown Mene, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, urged the three ethnic nationalities to embrace peaceable co-existence, saying unity was important for sustainable peace and growth.
Chief Victor Okumagba, the Idjede of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, urged the ethnic teams to embrace peace to draw authorities presence and speed up growth.
Okumagba described PIND’s intervention as well timed, noting that the Warri Federal Constituency delineation concern had continued for nearly three years. (NAN)
Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams
