Simon Utebor September 18, 2023
Newly-elected President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, has said the foremost Ijaw nation youth organisation is grateful to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for giving the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the IYC a new lease of life.
Speaking during a visit to the governor at his Sampou community home yesterday, Lokpobiri recalled how both bodies battled with internal wrangling before the governor assumed office and intervened to bring peace and unity within them.
He thanked the governor for his role in ensuring the election that produced the current executive was peaceful and credible.
Noting that Diri’s neutrality allowed the will of the people to prevail, Lokpobiri also expressed gratitude to leaders of the Ijaw nation for their contributions to the success of the election.
The IYC President asked for a land to build a national secretariat for the group as well as financial support.
He said his executive would not let the Ijaw nation down.
He lamented that the Ijaw, who are a minority in five other Niger Delta states apart from Bayelsa, are being marginalised and ill-treated and appealed to the governor to use his position to intervene.
Governor Diri stressed the need for the Ijaw nation to be united and peaceful, saying it was the only way the ethnic group could develop.
He urged the new IYC leadership to place service to Ijawland above any personal consideration, noting that the ethnic group was looking up to them.
He also advised the IYC to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, patience and tolerance, in order for them to go far. Diri said they are dealing with a group of people who are volatile.
Stressing the need for the group to remain politically-neutral, he enjoined them to speak up against violence in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
He said by receiving them, he had given legitimacy to the Lokpobiri-led IYC and pledged to support the executive to enable it succeed.
The governor said: “Let me on behalf of the government of Bayelsa State congratulate you. For those who lost and are here, I also congratulate you. I told you from the beginning that I am a father to all of you and as such I would not support anybody.
“First of all, you have to put Ijaw nation before your personal interest. If you put your interest first, you will not succeed. Live up to your oath and do not be the master. Be the servant in humility, respect and honour. We must change our mindset as Ijaw people to learn how to depend on ourselves and be enterprising.
“Election has been a problem in Ijawland. Some people are threatening to kill in the November 11 governorship election, but I know as youths, you will not allow it. We should all join hands to make the election violence-free. I will not spill blood to remain in office.
“The struggle continues to get other homogeneous Ijaw states. So we must keep the fire burning and work hand in gloves with the INC in order to leave worthy legacies.
“We have heard your requests and we will respond at the appropriate time. We will work with you and we hope and pray that the Ijaw nation grows.”
The Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Mr. Patrick Erasmus, lauded Governor Diri for stabilising the INC and IYC and hoped that the IYC new executive would live up to expectation.
