*As community leaders sign Peace Accord in Warri

*Okoloba, Okuama lived together for over 300 years—HRM Kalanama VIII

*Crisis breeds sorrow, hardship, deaths—Ewu monarch

*Okuama eternally committed to peace, harmony with Okoloba—Sec. general Ewu Kingdom

*Okoloba committed to peaceful co-existence with Okuama—Dr Akpobolokemi

By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

The executive chairman, Bomadi local government area of Delta State, Hon. Rawlings Dagidi Andaye, in collaboration with his Ughelli South counterpart, Hon. Lucky Iroro Avweromie, Saturday brokered sustainable peace between embattled Okuama community and neighbouring Okoloba community with the signing of a Peace Accord.

The peace deal initiated by the Bomadi local government boss took place at the Government House Annex, Warri, which had in attendance the leadership of both communities, royal fathers and security agents from both council areas, where Okuama and Okoloba communities resolved to live in peace and harmony.

In his opening remark, Hon. Andaye, who chaired the peace meeting, disclosed it was convened with the backing of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, who he said mandated him to iron out all aching issues between the two communities.

“The main purpose of this meeting is that we have no other option than to live in peace. The Okoloba and Okuama crisis is not from God, it is of the devil and no price is too big to pay for peace to reign between these two communities.

“You people have lived together peacefully in the days of old and you can do same today. Let that old relationship between Okuama and Okoloba be sustained.

“Our governor His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is aware of this meeting and he is expecting us to report back to him after the meeting. If we don’t agree to live in peace now, we are planting hatred and persistent conflicts for our future generations.

“The ultimate goal of this meeting is to ensure lasting peace between Okuama and Okoloba communities, and we want both communities to go back to your age-long relationship of peaceful co-existence”, Hon. Andaye said.

His counterpart, Hon. Avweromie, on his part said that sustainable peace could only be achieved if both communities forgave one another’s offences and mistakes.

He said: “No other person can settle this issue but the people of Okuama and Okoloba communities. We have to speak as brothers and sisters, lasting peace can only be achieved if you forgive one another.

“Let us maintain our old relationship where we farm and fish together because we want free access to the river, we want free trade in the river and it is a must Okuama and Okoloba lived peacefully”.

Okoloba, Okuama have lived together for over 300 years—HRM Kalanama VIII

The Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, HRM Pere Kalanama VIII, who commended the council chairmen on the peace deal, disclosed that the two communities had lived together for over three hundred years.

“Okoloba and Okuama have been living together for over three hundred years and I want to appeal that it’s enough of the fight, the land dispute should be amicably settled.

“I want to urge the state government to step in to demarcate the boundaries between the two communities for lasting peace to reign”.

Crisis breeds sorrow, hardship, deaths—Ewu monarch

On his part, the ovie of Ewu Kingdom, HRM Clement Oghenekevwe Ikolo, who emphasized the need for peaceful co-existence between the two communities, said an atmosphere of crisis often hatched out negative effects on an area and the people.

He said: “Crisis destroys the very fabrics of our communities, crisis breeds fear, sorrow, economic hardship and deaths. When we live in peace, we develop our domains and there is no need for us to be fighting one another.

“I urge both community representatives here to go back home and talk to your people on the need for peaceful coexistence. We must refresh our minds and have the spirit of forgiveness so we can stand together as a people”.

In the same vein, the ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom, HRM Solomon Okukeren, who also preached peace and unity to both communities said Okuama and Okoloba communities were one people.

“Stop the spread of hate speech and I want both communities to embrace peace and harmony”, he said.

Responding, the leadership of both communities pledged their willingness to live as brothers and thanked the initiators of the people move.

Okuama Eternally Committed to Peace, Harmony with Okoloba—Sec. general Ewu Kingdom

The secretary-general of Ewu Kingdom, Amb. Edewor Egdegbe, who led the Okuama community representatives, commended Gov. Oborevwori and the two council chairmen for initiating the peace move, pledging the community’s readiness to live peacefully with its neighbour.

He said: “I thank the government of Gov. Oborevwori for ensuring that there is sustainable peace between us. I also commend the efforts of the council chairmen and traditional rulers on this peace building process.

“The people of Okuama are eternally committed to peace between both communities. These two communities have lived together in the past and will continue to live together. We will abide by the Peace Accord.

“We also use this medium to appeal to the federal government to follow due process in the approach on issues as innocent Okuama indigenes are suffering, and as we are speaking we don’t know the whereabouts of our frontline community leaders”.

Okoloba Committed to Peaceful Co-existence with Okuama—Dr Akpobolokemi

Okoloba community, responding through the leader of the delegation, Dr David Akpobolokemi, who was Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to former governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Research and Youth Development, said: “Peace Accord is a fundamental move we as a community fully subscribed to.

“We subscribed to it in its entirety and Okoloba community is committed to ensuring sustainable peace between us, we will do everything humanly possible to live together in peace and move forward.

“We thank Gov. Oborevwori and the two council chairmen for their tireless efforts made towards achieving sustainable peace between us”.

However, the Peace Accord, which was signed by both communities leaders, council chairmen, DPOs and DSS of both council areas with its full content as follows:

1. Immediate Ceasefire: Both communities agree to an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities

2. Denouncement of Violence: Both communities denounce the recent military operations and the looting and destruction of property in Okuama community.

3. Reconciliation: Both communities agree to work towards reconciliation and forgiveness

4. Access to Farmlands and Farming Activities: Both communities agree to grant free access to farmlands and farming activities within our respective boundaries, recognizing the importance of agriculture to our livelihood.

5. Joint Patrol: Both communities appeal to government to strengthen the joint patrols along the Forcados River bank to ensure safety and security.

6. Free Passage along the Forcados River: Both communities agree to allow free passage of boats and passengers along the Forcados River bank bordering both communities.

7. Release of Properties: Both communities appeal to the chairmen of both local governments to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged theft of belongings by neighbouring communities during and after the operations of the military at Okuama community. We further appeal to both chairmen for commitment towards identifying and recovering the stolen items, ensuring that justice is served and affected individuals are duly compensated.

8. Dispute Resolution: Both communities agree to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

9. Community Engagement: Both communities agree to engage in community outreach programmes to promote peace and understanding.

Moreover, a 10-man Monitoring Committee was also set up to monitor the Peace Accord.