FIC REPORT (DELTA STATE) – As the global community marks year 2026 International Day of Peace, the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain peace, strengthen peaceful coexistence and promote development across Delta State and beyond.
The Governor made the call while addressing stakeholders at a ceremony held at Unity Hall Government House Asaba, where he emphasized the importance of collective efforts in maintaining peace.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo, the Governor urged security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, other stakeholders and community leaders to synergise with government in advancing peace across Delta State.
Governor Oborevwori reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a State where all residents are equal stakeholders as he charged citizens to shun actions capable of undermining the existing peace in the State.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Ovie Agas, while commending the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Team led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Delta State, Sir (Chief) Edwin Chukwunwike Obioha Uzor JP, KSC, MPA, CIArB(UK), FHR, FCIA, FICMC, PCMC(Chartered), urged them to sustain efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among communities and residents across the State.
In a keynote address, on the theme: “Invest in Peace-For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Sir. (Chief) Edwin Chukwunwike Obioha Uzor JP, KSC, MPA, CIArB (UK), FHR, FCIA, FICMC, PCMC (Chartered), noted that The International Day of Peace is observed every 21st September to promote non-violence, harmony and cooperation among people and nations.
He added that the theme for this year was a reminder that a peaceful society does not happen by chance, noting that it require deliberate choices, responsible leadership and the participation of everyone.
According to Chief Uzor; “When we invest patience, we create room for understanding. When we invest justice, we build trust. When we invest dialogue, we create opportunities for cooperation. When we invest in our communities and our people, we strengthen the foundation for development”, he said .
The Special Adviser expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency the State Governor Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori for his continued commitment to the security and stability of the State. He pointed out that the Governor’s M.O.R.E Agenda, particularly, its’ fourth pillar which focuses on Enhanced Peace and Security, recognises that development can only be sustained where people, communities and institutions can coexist peacefully.
According to Chief Uzor, the Governor clearly understands the fact that infrastructure cannot be effectively developed where communities are constantly in conflict, stressing that businesses cannot thrive where insecurity dominates and investors cannot operate confidently where there is instability while acknowledging that our children cannot have a secured future if the leaders fail to protect the present. The Special Adviser, therefore, commended the Governor for his leadership and continued support for the Peace Building efforts across all communities in the State
He added that the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution supports the Governor’s vision by working hard to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts across the State, disclosing that his Office adopts dialogue, mediation, sensitisation, community engagement and collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), traditional institutions and security agencies.
The Special Adviser also noted that the State Peace Team usually verify petitions, listen to all parties, investigate issues and facilitates dialogue towards peaceful solutions while ensuring fairness, justice, inclusiveness and the principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Speaking further, Chief Uzor explained that the State Peace Team also applies the Community Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWER), which he noted, enables them to identify potential sources of tension and respond before disagreements escalate into crises. He described their approach as simple;” listen early, engage early and resolve early.”
Chief Uzor emphasized that peace and stability remain essential to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals while affirming that SDG 16; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, directly address all seventeen SDGs benefit. “A peaceful environment”, he stressed, “makes it easier to tackle poverty and hunger, improve education and healthcare, create employment, attract investment, protect the environment and strengthen institutions” , he added.
Dr. David Oba, a seasoned academic and currently a lecturer and Ag. Director Weekend Degree Program, Dennis Osadebe University Asaba and AMB. Caroline Orobosa Usikpedo Oliseowe, an Ambassador for Peace and Chartered Administrator from the Chartered Institute of Administrators Lagos, both delivered lectures at the occasion while Dr. (Mrs ) Josephine Kingsley Emu , Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Culture and Tourism also a Cultural and Carnival Consultant presented a drama titled; ‘Shall The Rivers Decide To Guns Or Drums?’
There were goodwill messages by personalities present at the occasion including His Royal Majesty Asagba Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge SAN, OON, FNIALS, FICMIC,vKSG, KSJI, who described peace as a springboard for all-round development and called on Deltans to actively support efforts to sustain peace.
The Asaba Monarch urged traditional rulers to entrench peace in their domains by fully playing their roles as mediators, father’s of the people, custodians of communal values and bridges between generations.
The highpoint of the event which was attended by top government functionaries including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Kingsley Emu, was the release of pigeons as symbol of peace
Felix Ijomah
FIC Asaba Delta State
22nd September, 2026.
