The Ijaw National Congress (INC) says it will pursue to a logical conclusion, the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States to address the prevailing marginalisation in the ethnic group.
The President of the INC, High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei
stated this on Thursday in Warri, during the inauguration of the Ninth executive of the Congress.
Igbadiwei, in his inaugural speech, said that the creation of the two states would address the long-standing political marginalisation affecting Ijaw communities particularly in Ondo and Edo States.
"We shall pursue to a logical conclusion, the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states in order to create more political space and address the marginalisation of Ijaw people,” he said.
Igbadiwei emphasised that his leadership would focus on addressing the critical challenges confronting the Ijaw ethnic group.
He identified some of the challenges to include: expansion of local government structure in Bayelsa, enforcement of the Supreme Court verdict on delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency and among others.
"There is need to expand the local government structure in Bayelsa State from eight to 24. The current structure has limited political and economic opportunities for our people," Igbadiwei said.
He outlined broad agenda on of his leadership to include: promotion of unity among Ijaw communities, improved welfare, youth empowerment, political restructuring and the protection of Ijaw heritage and environment and among others.
"We have gathered at a defining moment in our history. Our land is richly blessed with natural resources and it is responsible for over 80 percent of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings.
"Yet, our people are not in control of these resources. Instead, our people continue to face marginalisation, environmental degradation, and political exclusion.
"Our language is gradually eroding, while many of our youths, despite being educated, remain unemployed.
"Our unity is continually being tested. These are not mere accusations; they are a call to action," he said.
Igbadiwei said that INC would explore all lawful means to seek redress and ensure that justice, fairness, and rightful recognition were accorded the people of Ibeno Community in Akwa-Ibom State, whom he said had been marginalised overtime by an oil firm operating in the community.
While appealing for collaboration, Igbadiwei urged the people to hold the ninth executive accountable
in its dealings.
He also urged the
co-contestants to join forces with the new executive to build the Ijaw nation that was enviable to all.
"This is the time for a new beginning. Let history remember this generation as the generation that united the Ijaw nation and moved it forward permanently.
"This is a time to heal old wounds; a time to restore confidence among ourselves; a time to speak with one united voice for the future of the Ijaw Nation.
"Let us renew our commitment to unity, peace, cultural pride and greatness of the Ijaw Nation. History will judge us by what we build together from this moment onward.
"To our traditional rulers and elders, we seek your prayers, wisdom, and guidance as we navigate this new chapter together," he said.
Earlier, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the out-gone president of INC, in his valedictory address, described his five years of leadership as turbulent but transformative.
"My administration inherited a congress that was in a state of comatose for seven years without a leader and without a voice," he said.
Okaba said that the Congress had regained global recognition and institutional strength since he came onboard.
He said that his administration was able to internationalise the Ijaw struggle and shift from militancy to intellectual engagement.
“We proclaimed that the pen must now speak louder than the gun,” Okaba said.
He highlighted some of his administration's achievements to include: the production of the first Pan-Ijaw territorial map, advocacy for additional Ijaw states and local governments.
"The recognition of 23 new Ijaw clans, increased inclusion of women in leadership and the admission of the INC into the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples Organisation (UNPO) among others," he said
Despite these successes, Okaba said that the INC still faced major financial and structural challenges, especially dependence on a few influential elites.
He said that the
inability of the successive leaderships to transform the INC into a self-funding organisation remained a major concerned.
The out-gone president appealed to the incoming leadership to prioritise reconciliation and strengthened the organisation’s international advocacy platform.
Okaba specifically advised his successor to carry this responsibility with courage, noting that he would be criticised and tested, "but the Ijaw nation is watching".
Other members of the new executive were: Dr Felix Tuodolo (Vice President), Dr Anyanate Kio (National Secretary), Mr Ikosomi Ibarakumo (National Publicity Secretary), and Mr Talent Brown (National Legal Adviser) among others.
The inauguration ceremony attracted prominent traditional rulers, women groups, youth organisations and delegates from Ijaw communities, political associates, friends of Ijaw Nation and among others.
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