A fresh wave of peacebuilding is taking shape in Warri as traditional rulers from the Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw communities intensify engagements aimed at promoting unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence across the city.
The renewed initiative has seen the monarchs hold a series of meetings and make gestures of reconciliation, signalling a notable shift from years of tension and disagreements that have at different times resulted in violence, loss of lives and property, as well as setbacks to business and investment in the Warri area.
Among those at the forefront of the renewed peace efforts are 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 traditional rulers.
The engagements cut across the three indigenous ethnic groups in the three Warri local government areas and have largely focused on peacebuilding, cooperation and harmonious relations.
Speaking during his fifth coronation anniversary on August 15, 2026, where he also launched the Warri Unity Games, the Olu of Warri Kingdom urged residents to look beyond past grievances and embrace a common future.
He said the Unity Games were designed to demonstrate that the people of Warri have more in common than what separates them.
The monarch said the people must rise above past hurts, trauma, suspicion and differences to pursue a shared destiny, warning that allowing pride and old grievances to dominate relationships could destroy opportunities for collective progress.
The Olu also commended the presence of the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom at the event, with both monarchs exchanging pleasantries in Warri Pidgin in what was seen as a symbolic expression of cordiality and a desire for a new culture of unity.
The peace efforts continued on September 17, when the Olu of Warri Kingdom and the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom held a private meeting in Abuja.
Reports from the meeting indicated that both monarchs discussed peace and relations between their respective kingdoms and subjects.
They reportedly agreed on the need to encourage their people to promote mutual respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence, while committing to continued dialogue and periodic consultations.
The monarchs also called on community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts to maintain peace and ensure that differences are addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement.
Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri leaders deepen engagement
The latest developments follow other contacts among traditional institutions in the Warri area.
In June 2026, the Olu of Warri visited the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, further underscoring the growing interaction among traditional rulers across ethnic lines.
The renewed engagements have been welcomed by stakeholders and indigenes who see the initiative as an opportunity to establish a more sustainable framework for cooperation among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo communities.
Former Delta State Commissioner for Finance and indigene of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, also commended the development.
According to him, peace and brotherliness among the ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency would enable the people to redirect their energies towards development and improving livelihoods.
Okumagba stressed the importance of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among all indigenes, describing the involvement of the traditional rulers in the renewed peace initiative as encouraging.
He urged the monarchs to sustain their meetings and continue building relationships across the various kingdoms.
Focus shifts to development and investment
Okumagba further argued that the people of Warri should move beyond ethnic disagreements and concentrate on attracting infrastructure, investment and employment opportunities to the area.
He said the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo communities would benefit from working together to create an environment capable of attracting businesses and supporting economic growth.
Warri has, over the years, experienced periods of ethnic tension and violent clashes that resulted in casualties, destruction of property and disruption of economic activities.
The resulting perception of instability also affected the city’s attractiveness to investors and businesses, with some establishments relocating to other areas.
The latest peace initiatives therefore come at a time when there are growing calls for a new approach to relations among the indigenous communities.
For Warri to reclaim its economic and social potential, stakeholders say there must be sustained commitment to good neighbourliness, respect for one another, the rule of law, dialogue and cooperation.
The message from the traditional institutions is increasingly centred on the need to leave past grievances behind and build a common future.
As the Olu of Warri stated during the Unity Games, the people should not sacrifice tomorrow’s possibilities because of yesterday’s grievances.
The monarch urged the people to stop keeping score of past disagreements and instead measure progress by what they can build together.
For Warri, the emerging challenge is now to turn these renewed royal engagements into sustained grassroots peace, stronger inter-community relations and tangible development for residents across the city.
