WARRI/Nigeria: Renowned peace and development advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has made a passionate call to ethnic nationalities in Delta State, particularly the Urhobos, Ijaws, and Itsekiris—to put aside their differences and embrace unity for the sake of sustainable development and economic progress.
Mulade, a United Nations Peace Ambassador and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), warned that continued internal disputes and resistance to investment could jeopardize the state’s potential to attract development and create jobs for its growing youth population.
“We cannot continue to fight ourselves, oppose development, and chase away investors that will create employment opportunities for our teeming youths because of selfish interest,” Mulade said. “I want to strongly appeal and advise our revered traditional rulers and political leaders to shun hatred and embrace peace, unity, and development for the interest and progress of our dear state.”
Speaking further, the Ibe Serimowei of the Gbaramatu Kingdom praised both the Federal and State Governments for their commitment to infrastructure development and investor engagement, noting that these efforts must be complemented by local unity and support.
“It is pertinent to state that the current Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the State Government under Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori are doing everything humanly possible to attract investors to the state through ongoing projects and increased federal presence,” he said.
Mulade emphasized that the economic success of Delta State, and indeed Nigeria, is tied to the collaborative efforts of its major ethnic groups. He stressed the need for strategic unity among the Urhobos, Ijaws, and Itsekiris—groups he described as the economic backbone of the state—to accelerate the delivery of democratic dividends.
“Delta State is blessed with an abundance of human capital and natural endowments,” Mulade noted. “Rather than fighting ourselves, let us harness our collective influence across the state to support the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that all Deltans can fully enjoy the benefits of democracy.”
His remarks come amid growing concerns that political rivalries and ethnic tensions are hindering private sector investment and undermining state-wide efforts to foster growth and stability.
