Editorial:Promoting Peace and Unity in the Niger Delta: Setting the Record Straight

By Tarakirivoice Editorial Team

In recent times, Tarakirivoice has observed that some sections of the Ijaw community have been trying to portray a narrative of conflict between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people. However, as a media outfit who work for the collective well-being of the Nigeria state and the Niger-Delta in particular, we want to categorically state that there is no inherent conflict between these two tribes. Like any other human societies, there may be individual disagreements or misunderstandings, but these do not define the relationship between the Ijaw and Itsekiri

The Truth About Ijaw-Itsekiri Relations

The Ijaw and Itsekiri people, have coexisted peacefully for centuries, sharing a rich cultural heritage and a deep understanding of the Niger Delta’s complex ecosystem. Our communities have intermingled, intermarried, and collaborated on various economic and social projects. We must not let the actions of a few individuals or groups undermine the goodwill and mutual respect that exists between our communities.

The Niger Delta is One

The Niger Delta is a region, not a collection of isolated communities. We share a common history, a common environment, and a common destiny. Our struggles, our triumphs, and our challenges are intertwined. Let us not be swayed by divisive narratives that seek to pit us against each other. Instead, let us promote peace, understanding, and cooperation among all the communities that call the Niger Delta home.

A Call to Action

To our brothers and sisters in the Ijaw community, we urge you to reject any attempts to portray the entire Ijaw people as being in conflict with the Itsekiri or any other community. Let us stand together in promoting peace and unity, recognizing that our diversity is a strength, not a weakness. To our leaders and opinion-shapers, we call on you to promote messages of peace, tolerance, and cooperation. Let us work together to build a brighter future for the Niger Delta, where all communities can thrive and prosper.

All of us at Tarakirivoice Editorial Team, we reiterate that the Ijaw and Itsekiri peoples are not in conflict. We are part of a larger Niger-Delta family, bound together by our shared experiences, our shared environment, and our shared aspirations. Let us promote peace, understanding, and cooperation, and let us work together to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Signed… Tarakirivoice Editorial Team