WARRI — Journalists under the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Delta State, on Saturday embarked on an intensive peace sensitization campaign across Warri and its environs, calling on all residents—both indigenes and non-indigenes—to shun actions or rhetoric capable of sparking unrest in the city.
The campaigners, wearing white branded T-shirts boldly inscribed with “NUJ Says No to Crisis in Warri”, commenced their march from the chapel’s former secretariat located at 12 Gbiaye Street, off 3rd Marine Gate.
The procession took them through several major streets of Warri, drawing the attention of passers-by, traders, motorists, and community members to the urgent message of peace.
Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, former Chairman of the NUJ Delta State Council and current member of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, voiced the union’s growing concern over recent hostile exchanges in the media among certain ethnic groups in the city.
He said these verbal hostilities had caused alarm within the chapel, raising fears of a possible resurgence of communal crisis.
“In response, we have decided to launch this peace campaign to emphatically say ‘No to Crisis’ in Warri,” Ikeogwu told reporters during the sensitization walk.
He recounted the harrowing memories of the past Warri crisis, noting that it not only devastated communities but also severely disrupted oil production and inflicted deep economic wounds on the region.
“The scars from those tragic days are still fresh in our minds. We must do everything within our power to ensure that we do not return to that dark chapter in our history,” he warned.
The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel made a strong appeal to leaders of all ethnic nationalities and non-indigenous communities residing in Warri to caution their followers against making inflammatory statements or engaging in actions likely to undermine the fragile peace in the city.
They emphasised that communal harmony was critical to the socio-economic development of Warri and its surroundings.
The chapel reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting every genuine effort aimed at fostering peace, mutual respect, and unity among the diverse ethnic and social groups living in Warri.
“We also call on the government to sustain its impartial approach in promoting peace and maintaining security across the city,” Ikeogwu added.
Saturday’s sensitisation march came just a day before the scheduled official commissioning of the union’s permanent secretariat.
The new facility, which stands as a significant milestone for the chapel, was constructed by TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private security firm owned by High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
