- As Peace Building Office Holds Workshop In Orerokpe
BY PATRICK MGBODO
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, today underscored the power of dialogue in fostering lasting peace, insisting that it is not a sign of weakness but a bold demonstration of wisdom, strength, and courage.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed this at a community peace education workshop organised by his Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, in Orerokpe, yesterday.
Represented by the Chairman of the State Board of Internal Board of Revenue Service, Hon Solomon Igrakpata, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to preventing conflicts in the State, just as he commended Chief Uzor for the workshop.
“Dialogue is not a sign of weakness; it is a mark of wisdom. It reflects the courage to listen, the humility to learn and the strength to forgive one another…
“Our communities have faced their share of challenges; from land disputes to youth restiveness, from political rivalries to economic hardship. Yet, we know that no problem is beyond solution when people are willing to talk, reason and work together.
“This is why my administration has made Peace Building a central pillar of the MORE Agenda. We are deeply committed to preventing conflict before it arises by promoting education, empowerment, inclusiveness and dialogue at every level of our society” Governor Oborevwori said.
“Let us reach our children that understanding us stronger than anger, that unity is greater than division and that every price, no matter how small, has a value” the governor said, even as he called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and women to become an ambassadors of peace in their communities.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, said the peace workshop is part of continuous efforts to equip community actors with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain peace at the grassroots level.
Chief Uzor noted that under the leadership of Governor Oborevwori, Delta State has enjoyed peace and security, which has led to infrastructure development, youth empowerment and job creation, inclusive governance, security and conflict resolution.
“The government alone cannot build peace. As community leaders and stakeholders, religious figures and youth representatives, you are the first line of defence against conflict. You know your people, their challenges, fears and hopes. This is why you must become agents of understanding, mediating disagreements, countering misinformation, discouraging violence and promoting unity in your communities” Chief Uzor said.
Delivering their goodwill messages, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj-Gen Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), and the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM (Dr) Emmanuel Sideso, respectively, stressed the importance of peace for meaningful development, even as they commended the state government for it’s efforts in ensuring peace in the State through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.
Also, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Sam Oyobvaire, represented by the member representing Okpe Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon James Augoye, emphasised the timeliness and importance of the peace workshop, especially as communal crisis tend to be on the increase.
During the workshop, Prof Ben Okpevra of the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, presented a lecture on “The role of dialogue in resolving conflict and engendering peace in the community” defining dialogue as the exchange of understanding.
The workshop reached its apogee with a drama presentation titled “Though Tribes and Tongues May Differ”, as well as an interactive session where the giant strides of Governor Oborevwori were deeply appreciated by the participants.
