Ijaw traditional rulers and leaders from the six states of Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo converged on Yenagoa to discuss the issue of collective interest and well beings of the people.
The meeting, which was declared open by Governor Seriake Dickson, also focussed on the issue of reconciliation, unity, peace, stability and economic progress of Ijaw nation.
The Governor called on them to put aside their differences and forge a strong united front, submitting that this was the only way to make Ijaw nation relevant among other ethnic nationalities in the country.
He said the time had come for the Ijaw traditional rulers, elders and leaders of the people to constitute a strong, credible, dependable and fearless leadership for the Ijaw National Congress.
The governor stressed that the call was inspired by the reality that certain key roles in the interest of the Ijaw nation could be undertaken and indeed spearheaded by a strong President òf the INC and his executive committee.
He said that the absence of a strong INC meant the existence of a vacuum which was inimical to the development of the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta.
He said, “On the need for Ijaw unity, everybody in the Ijaw nation, all our leaders are on the same page. And I am delighted that all of you who are the critical pillars of the Ijaw movement which is founded on our Ijaw traditional institutions are present here, that is why you have clan representation.
“Let me draw your attention to the need for the Ijaw nation at this point in time more than any other time to be united as quickly as possible put processes in place that will lead to the emergence of a credible, solid, dependable, knowledgeable and fearless leadership for our people because there are certain things only the INC can do.
“There are certain things only the INC president and his team can say, all of us will give support. Right now there is a vacancy, a vacuum and that is not good at all for us, for the Niger Delta because our people, the Ijaw people have a duty to galvanise this region and close leakages that can lead to more stable and prosperous Niger Delta, and Nigeria.”
He called on the people to prioritize support against kidnapping, piracy, and other criminal activities that had aggravated the economic and development challenges in the communities.
Dickson lamented that the Ijaw communities were losing businesses and developmental opportunities as the enemies of the people were taking advantage of the situation to blackmail the area and deepen underdevelopment in the area.
“I call for peace, stability and an end to kidnappings, brigandage, piracy on the waterways and lawlessness that has de-marketed our region, state and communities that is further aggravating our economic and developmental challenges for their selfish reasons.
“Our enemies are all too happy as we are losing businesses and they are using propaganda to paint our region as a place not good enough to satisfy their own selfish interest.”
Dickson, who enjoined the people to continue to cooperate with constituted authorities and to live in harmony with their neighbours in their geographical locations, also advised them to continue to raise genuine issues peacefully.
He commended all the elders and leaders of the people who responded to the call to play various in the National Reconciliation Committee of the INC.
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