Port Harcourt City, capital of Rivers State came alive penultimate Friday, as youths, Opinion Leaders, prominent Ijaw elders, guest and well-wishers stormed the headquarters of Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone Secretariat for the formal inauguration ceremony of Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zonal Executive/Clan Executives and presentation of Eastern Zonal Blue Print. Ijaws defied the heavy downpour and showed their full support for Ijaw identity.
In his acceptance speech after the inauguration, Chairman of IYC, Eastern Zone, Comrade Peter Timothy lgbifa said he will ensure unwavering emancipation of all Ijaws, including the fatherless, orphans, widows and indigent ones, saying that the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro paid a huge price for the Ijaws in ensuring fairness and equity in the socio-political balance in Nigeria.
He described Kaiama declaration as a huge success and vowed to sustain its ideals and principles, adding that the hopes and aspirations of Ijaw at home and in the Diaspora are still alive.
Igbifa who pledged his unalloyed support for an Ijaw Governor in Rivers State, come 2015 lauded the National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Governors Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party for endorsing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for second term in the 2015 Presidential General Election.
He advised the youths to be true ambassadors of the people in the state and the nation at large. “Sustain the vision of 1YC and ensure that the dignity of the Ijaw is maintained.
“This is the opening of Ijaw House, Eastern Zone IYC office. Eastern Zone Today also marks the inauguration of the Excos ranging from the zonal Chairman to clan Excos. IYC is a grass root organization and we deal directly with our people through the clan Excos. We are indeed home-based” Igbifa said.
Igbifa frowned at the multinationals operating in the Niger Delta region, pointing out that they should uplift the living standard of the people struggle. We have made history today by opening the office and create an enabling environment for those who dwell in the oil-rich region that suffers degradation, gas flaring and untold hardship.
Chairman of IYC, Eastern Zone Elders Forum, Elder Athanasius Eneyo commended the Leadership of the zone and called for greater collaboration among the Ijaws to enhance stability in the growth of Ijaw cause.
He formally inaugurated the Executive Council of the Eastern Zone, which w as greeted with loud ovation from all the Ijaw and opinion leaders that graced the occasion.
Eneyo advised the Exco to live up to expectation and share the vision of the Ijaws in the discharge of their functions. He commended the Sekuro of Ijaw land, High Chief Ateke Tom for his support and love towards the upliftment of the zone and assured that the Igbifa-led Exco is the only recognized Executive Council in the zone.
Ibani (Bonny), Ibeno, Unyeada, Opobo, Nkoro, Bille, Ataba, Ngo, Kalabari, Asarama, Wakirike (Okrika) and Eastern Obolo clan Executive Council were inaugurated at the epoch ceremony. ###
