WARRI/Nigeria: A renowned peace and development advocate in the Niger Delta region, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Ph.D, has called on the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities of Delta State to strengthen bonds of unity and friendship in order to attract investors and drive sustainable development in their areas.
Comrade Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, made the appeal during an interactive session with some leaders from the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups in Warri.
The United Nations Peace Ambassador urged the leaders to embrace peace, promote unity, and allow love to guide their collective pursuit of development, free from bias and ethnic supremacy, stressing that “this is the only way we can grow and develop our areas.”
He expressed disappointment over the rising divisions, warning that the pursuit of personal interest and recognition through ethnic rivalry was harming both groups. “Frankly, we are disgracing ourselves, and it is highly disappointing that many of us are beating the drum of ethnic war for personal interest and recognition. Please, we don’t need division, but progressive ties that will attract investors and development to our communities,” he pleaded.
Comrade Mulade argued that the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities make immense contributions to the revenues of both Delta State and Nigeria but are not adequately recognised in terms of infrastructure, a situation he said is worsened by the persistent acrimony between them.
“It is imperative to state that the Ijaw and Itsekiri areas in Delta State contribute the highest quota in the oil and gas industry as well as the blue economy, but we are deliberately deprived, neglected and shortchanged from development because of ethnic division and hatred amongst ourselves, which has eluded us,” he stated.
He appealed to revered traditional rulers, political leaders, and stakeholders to prioritise peace and create an environment where development can thrive.
“We are victims of underdevelopment because of our individual and ethnic pride that is affecting our growth and progress. Today, all development efforts are concentrated in the uplands while neglecting the sources of the resources,” Mulade lamented.
