The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a stern warning to the government led by President Bola Tinubu, stating their determination to resist any attempts to scrap the Niger Delta Ministry. The statement came during a press briefing held in Warri on Friday.
Princewill Binebai, the spokesperson for the IYC, emphasized that this declaration should not be taken lightly. He asserted that the IYC’s resistance would become a reality if the President’s decision were to be reversed.
Binebai also called on multinational oil companies to consider relocating their headquarters back to the Niger Delta region, the very place where the oil and gas are produced. He argued, “It is unjust for them to extract and export oil from our land, paying royalties to other states.”
Highlighting the historical neglect of the Ijaw people in terms of resource sharing and representation, Binebai stated, “Despite our significant contributions to the country’s economic and political well-being, our communities have not received their fair share of the resources produced in our region.
“The IYC will continue to prioritize the unity of the Ijaw nation, as our strength lies in our unity. As Prof. Dime, the pioneer President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), stated in 1992 in Arogbo, Ondo state, ‘If Spiders’ Web Can Unite, They Can Tie Up a Lion.’ The unity of the Ijaw people is crucial for the betterment of our nation.”
While stressing the Ijaw people’s commitment to peace and their embrace of the idea of one Nigeria, Binebai made it clear, “Our guarantee of peace in Nigeria must be accompanied by justice, fairness, equity, and political inclusion.”
He expressed disappointment that most of the developments in the Niger Delta, particularly for the Ijaw people, have only come about as a result of agitation and struggle. The Ijaw people have never been given anything freely.
“Henceforth, the council will no longer tolerate and accept the military’s frequent invasion of Ijaw communities. The Ijaw people should not be treated as strangers in their own country; they must be respected as critical stakeholders.” Binebai demanded justice for the murder of Peterside Alafuro, an Ijaw from Rivers State killed by a trigger-happy police officer. He vowed, “We will not allow this evil act to be swept under the carpet.”
Looking ahead, the Ijaw Youth Council will engage with key stakeholders in Nigeria to negotiate a better deal for their region. Binebai stressed, “Our development and progress will be at the forefront, and we will actively engage with friends and resist foes of the Ijaw people.”
In addition, the IYC called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently address the legislative hitches that have delayed the passage of the bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) in Okerenkoko, Delta State. Binebai noted, “Nowhere in the world have we seen a university struggle so hard for survival. The bill must be passed with the collaboration of the Federal Government and the National Assembly.”
