Activist Blessed Oghenero Ughere, National President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing Worldwide and Sir Johnathan Lokpobiri, Snr, National President of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, today met in Yenagoa in Bayelsa State in finding lasting peace and unity among the Urhobo and Ijaw Nations in Niger Delta region, called for caution and restraint.
The duo leaders regretted and condoled with the Nigeria Army and innocent citizens who loss their lives in the heinous crime and gruesome murdered of four army officers and thirteen soldiers, and civilians at Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.
They called for a total caution and restraint of the military reprisal on the two Urhobo and Ijaw communities, while manhunt for the suspects are collaboratively done.
Also, Activist Ughere and Sir Olokpobiri retaliated on the peaceful coexistence of the Urhobo and Ijaw Nations as aged long relationship and sue for a peaceful resolutions to the Okuama and Okoloba communities communal clash.
“There is no war between the Urhobo and the Ijaw nations in Delta State, although there is a little boundary misunderstanding between the Okuama and Okoloba communities but not in a war situation, that is the reason we are here to talk because it is only in Animal kingdom they war without talking to each other, we are here to engage ourselves on a peaceful talk to advance our friendship and promote genuine peace among our people, let join hands together to speak for caution and restraint to avoid more loss of lives and properties.
“It is appalling that, our society today is depending more on war welfare instrumentality than intellectual means of resolution.
“I remember when Warri was the oil business hub in the Niger Delta region, the Urhobos, Ijaws Itsekiri, Isokos were beneficials of the Oil boom before relocating to Lagos, so let work together for a genuine peace so that developments and investments can continue to strive in our region”, said Olokpobiri
On his part, Activist Blessed Oghenero Ughere he said, “the Urhobos and Ijaw have aged relationships and intermarried, it will interest you to know that 30% of the Okuama indigenes married to Okoloba same of Okoloba community too.
“Precious lives have been cut short in this avoidable crisis and collateral lost incurred, we must speak with one voice in unity to end this crisis and work together for the lasting peace of our region”.
