Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on the global community to appreciate the urgency of peace and not see it as tomorrow’d dream.
He made the call on Sunday, in Warri, at the celebration of the 2025 International Day of Peace with the theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.
The Governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, recalled that on assumption of duty on May 29, 2023, he did say that it not only marked the begining of a new administration, but an era that would advance the state to greater heights in people-oriented policies, infrastructure renewal and human capital development.
Governor Oborevwori said he conceived the MORE agenda as an instrument to advance what had been achieved by the immediate past administration, adding that machineries were set in motion towards peace building as an antidote of hostility-induced stagnation and underdevelopment in many coastal communities.
While highlighting one of such machineries as the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, he used the opportunity to appreciate his Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, for his purposeful leadership and dedication to dialogue, reconciliation, and conflict resolution that had helped to sustain peace across the state.
“For us in Delta, peace is not an option, it is our lifeline. We are a people of diverse ethnicities, rich cultures and vibrant communities. Diversity is our strength, but without peace it can easily become a weakness. That is why my administration insists that every project, every reform, every opportunity under the MORE Agenda must be anchored on peace. Roads, hospitals, schools and markets will mean little if our communities are in conflict.
“Enhanced Peace and Security has been a major component of the MORE Agenda. We know, and constantly advocate the possibility of peace. Throughout history, most societies lived in peace most of the time. Today, we are much less likely to die in war than our parents and grandparents. Life is better in a peaceful world and today we look up to those who have been peacemakers and peacekeepers to learn what we can each do individually to make the world a more peaceful place”, the Governor said.
Oborevwori urged the youth, the women, traditional rulers, faith-based organizations, civil society organizations, and indeed, every citizen, to walk the journey of peace, stressing that the work should not be left for the government, security agencies or mediators alone.
In a keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, said the International Day of Peace was devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace and observance of 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire, adding that it was also a reminder that “peace is not just a dream; it is a duty and responsibility that we must live out daily”.
Chief Uzor, said the theme of the event was a call to action, and challenged humanity to stop postponing peace, emphasizing that actualizing peace must begin with the individuals, in the homes, in the communities and more importantly in the hearts of all.
He noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had placed peace at the centre of governance through the MORE Agenda, with the understanding that without peace there could be no meaningful development, no shared opportunities, no enduring reform, and no sustainable security.
The Special Adviser pointed out that his Office was established with the mandate to design, implement and advise government on peace building and conflict resolution strategies, to proactively identity threats to peace, address them before the escalate, to be able to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts through dialogue, sensitization, advocacy and enlightenment.
Chief Uzor explained that the Community Early Warning and Early Response System was being used for conflict prevention, while conflict resolution was facilitated through dialogue, mediation and reconciliation, pointing out that community engagement was through grassroots enlightenment and outreach to foster intra and inter – community harmony.
The event featured a lecture, drama presentation, goodwill messages, and peace pledges by the participants, including government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, representatives of civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, women, youths, among others.
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