Ogwa Ika: Oborevwori, Okowa Rally Ika Nation Around Peace & Shared Progress
By GEORGETTE CHIDI
THE 26th Ogwa Ika and 22nd Ika Ka Mma Annual Lecture Series became more than a cultural gathering in Otolokpo, Delta State, as political, traditional and community leaders turned attention to the relationship between governance, peace and sustainable development.
At the centre of the discussions was a recurring message: communities cannot achieve lasting progress without unity, while peace cannot survive without fairness, justice and responsible leadership.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the people of Ika nation for preserving the Ogwa Ika and Ika Ka Mma platform over the years.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, the governor described the annual gathering as an important avenue for intellectual exchange, cultural celebration and collective reflection.
Peace as a Development Imperative
Speaking on the theme, “Governance and Peace Building in Ika Nation,” Oborevwori argued that peace and development remained inseparable.
According to him, insecurity and conflict discourage investment, weaken social relationships and slow development. Yet peace itself, he noted, must rest on justice, inclusion and responsible governance.
The governor said his administration’s MORE Agenda reflected those principles by placing development, opportunity, reform and security at the centre of government policy.
He explained that governance must go beyond the exercise of political authority. Instead, he said, it must involve listening to citizens, responding to public needs and managing resources in ways that improve lives.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
Oborevwori stressed that the government could not build peace in isolation.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, community leaders, women and young people, he said, all have roles to play in preventing conflict and strengthening social harmony.
He therefore urged Ika communities to embrace dialogue and reject divisive tendencies.
The governor also assured the people that his administration would continue to pursue equitable development across Delta State, describing Ika nation as a significant part of the state’s broader economic and cultural story.
Okowa Warns Against Putting Self Before Community
Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa added another dimension to the discussion by urging Ika people to place collective interests above personal ambition.
He credited the Ogwa Ika and Ika Ka Mma initiative with strengthening unity and encouraging communities across the ethnic nationality to identify with a common cultural heritage.
Okowa also placed responsibility on families.
He called on parents to pay closer attention to the upbringing of their children and help them develop the skills and capacity needed to benefit from available opportunities.
His intervention reflected a broader concern that community development begins not only with government policies but also with strong families, responsible citizenship and investment in young people.
Culture, Youth & the Future of Ika Nation
The Head of the Collective Leadership of Onu Ika Nigeria, Chief Peter Chiemeke Ozili, said the founders of the organisation created the Ogwa Ika platform with a long-term vision of unity.
He paid tribute to past leaders and pledged that the organisation would continue to uphold the ideals that shaped the emergence of the annual gathering.
Ozili identified several issues requiring sustained attention. They included the preservation of the Ika language, protection of cultural heritage, youth development, drug abuse, criminality and communal harmony.
He also emphasised the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and strengthening cultural dignity.
An Annual Gathering With a Wider Purpose
In his welcome address, the President-General of the Otolokpo Development Union, AIG David Igbodo (rtd.), described Ogwa Ika as an important celebration of the people’s identity and aspirations.
The annual event, he said, provided an opportunity for Ika people to reflect on their past while also discussing the challenges that could shape their future.
Ambassador Joe Keshi delivered the keynote address on the theme of governance and peace building.
The event brought together former Governor Okowa, NDDC Chairman Chiedu Ebie, government officials, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, women and youth groups.
Beyond the speeches and cultural gathering, the event reinforced a wider message about the future of Ika nation.
For its leaders, culture remains an anchor of identity. Peace remains the foundation for progress. Good governance provides direction. Yet the success of all three, speakers suggested, will depend on whether communities can continue to place dialogue, inclusion and collective interest above division.
