Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has said that peace is a needed ingredient for development just as he attributed the relative peace existing in the state to the advisory role of the peace building and conflict resolution council of the state.
He told a gathering of peace advocates drawn from different groups who converged at the unity hall of government house that the people of Delta should promote peace in their respective domains as there can only be evonomic stability in an environment of peace.
Hr made the submission during the 2021 celebration of the international day of peace organised by office of the special adviser to the governor on peace building and conflict resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor.
The governor who was represented by his chief of staff, Ovie Festus Agas, told the people that peaceful coexistence is possible in an environment of different cultures and values, hence Deltans should preach peace and pursue it with vigour.
In his welcome address, Chief Edwin Uzor said the United Nations established September 21 every year as a day of peace celebration around the world, stressing that the day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24-hour of non-violence and ceasefire around the world.
He said that for Delta state, to ensure peace reigns, efforts are made to identify communities where there is threat to peace and nip such crisis in the bud.
He said his office receives petitions from various communities and deal with them to ensure they do not escalte into intra or inter community unrest.
He said: “We therefore ensure that communities have peace and live in peace as this is essential for all forms of infrastructural development in the state.”
He recalled the inter communal crisis that erupted between Oboma and Obecha in Ndokwa East and between Oleh and Ozoro in Isoko North and South local government areas. He said both crisis claimed lives.
Chief Uzor said such crisis situations place enormous burden on traditional rulers, community leaders, opinion leaders, women and youths. He added that these challenges demand proactive actions from community leaders so as to prevent the crisis from escalating.
