Leadership of the two neighbouring communities of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government and Bomadi LG of Delta State have resolved to end their ageless hostilities just as they signed a nine-point peace accord.
Also, a 10-man Monitoring Committee was set up to monitor the Peace Accord.
The peace meeting which was at the instance of the chairman, Bomadi Local Government council, Rawlings Andaye in collaboration with his Ughelli South counterpart, Lucky Iroro Avweromie, took place on Saturday at the Government House Annex, Warri.
In attendance at the historic event which ended in Okuama and Okoloba communities resolving to “live in peace and harmony” were the leadership of both communities, royal fathers and security agents from both Local Government Areas.
In a nutshell, the Peace accord read: “Immediate Ceasefire: Both communities agree to an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities.
“Denouncement of Violence: Both communities denounce the recent military operations and the looting and destruction of property in the Okuama community.
“Reconciliation: Both communities agree to work towards reconciliation and forgiveness
“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.”
Also, the peace accord deal, added that both communities appealed to the government to strengthen the joint patrols along the Forcados River bank to ensure safety and security.
“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.
“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.
“Dispute Resolution: Both communities agree to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.
“Community Engagement: Both communities agree to engage in community outreach programmes to promote peace and understanding,” the pact added.
Speaking while declaring open the peace parley, Andaye, who presided noted that it was convened at the instance of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori who, according to him, 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”, the Bomadi Council chairman stated.
He spoke further, “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, 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”.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Ughelli South LG, Avweromie, stated that “sustainable peace could only be achieved if both communities forgave one another’s offences and mistakes”.
Avweromie 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”.
In his contribution, the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom, His Majesty, Clement Oghenekevwe Ikolo, emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between the two communities, stressing that “an atmosphere of crisis often hatched out negative effects on an area and the people”.
“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”, the Ewu monarch stated.
He appealed to both community representatives 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”, he emphasised.
Also speaking, the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, Pere Kalanama VIII, commended the two Local Government Council Chairmen on the peace deal.
According to him, “both 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”, he said.
Also, the Ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom, Solomon Okukeren, preached peace and unity to both communities urging them to stop the spread of hate speech.
“Okuama and Okoloba communities were one people. I want both communities to embrace peace and harmony”, the Ovie said.
In their responses, the leadership of both communities pledged their willingness to live as brothers and thanked the initiators of the peace move.
The secretary-general of Ewu Kingdom, Amb. Edewor Egedegbe, who led the Okuama community representatives, commended Governor Oborevwori and the two Local Government chairmen for initiating the peace move.
While pledging Okuama community’s readiness to live peacefully with its neighbouring Okoloba community, Egedegbe lauded Governor 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”, he said assuring that “the people of Okuama are eternally committed to peace between both communities”.
“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”, Egedegbe further stated.
In another response, Dr David Akpobolokemi, leader of the Okoloba community delegation stated that the community fully subscribe to the peace accord which he described as “a fundamental move”.
“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”, he assured while thanking Governor Oborevwori and the two council chairmen for the tireless efforts made towards achieving sustainable peace between the two ccommunities.