IYC Rolls Out Programme To Celebrate Kaiama Declaration

 

 Ebido Lucky

The New Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide  Ambassador. Binebai Yerin Princewill has on behalf of Council made public a 3 day programme of activities to celebrate the 25 years  Kaiama declaration and the foundation of IYC.

Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill made the disclosure while addressing a press conference at the Light Newspapers Communications Complex along  Punch Road in Yenagoa.

Flanked by Timipre Eziama, immediate past IYC Eleco PRO, Hon. Paul Ebikeseiye, former councillor and deputy leader Sagbama Local Government and Comrade Ebolo Samuel, Chairman of the IYC Clan Chairman Forum, the Spokesman noted that the Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri (Snr.) led 9th NEC is  grateful to the Ijaw nation for   voting them into office  to provide  leadership  and assured  the people of their commitment to offer effective,  purposeful and responsive  leadership to the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta region while promising that  the 9th NEC  will strive  to deliver on its campaign promises. 

According to Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill day 1 which is Saturday, 9th December, 2023  witnessed the  foundation laying ceremony of the Ijaw Youth Council Global Secretariat in Yenagoa, describing it as unprecedented in the annals of the council.

He said IYC has gone a step further by taken issues facing the Ijaw people to the  global arena as the 9th NEC took the bold initiative to sponsor people to Ghana, Kenya and Dubai to attend the Gobal Climate and Plastic Pollution Conference that have affected our environment adversely.

Other activities according to the IYC Spokesman include 

 laying of wreathes  on the tomb of  fallen heroes at the Ijaw heroes park in Yenagoa and Kaiama.

On day 2,10th December 2023, there will be a thanksgiving service, public lectures , launching  of IYC data base and Award Night at Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha  Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa while day 3: 11th December 2023 will be the grand finale which will hold at the  OX- bow lake Pavillion and Kaiama Grammer School  Field with a processional match and

unveiling of the late Isaac Adaka Boro Statue spiced up with variety night and other side attractions.

He informed that the Kaiama declaration which gave birth to the  IYC is very key and important to the  Ijaw people which is why it has  became  imperative to meet again after 25 years to review the journey so far and make informed decisions to chart the way forward.

The  IYC Spokesman stated that the Kaiama Declaration was made  by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)  on 11th December, 1998 to aggregate the views of the Ijaw Youths on the  political crisis in Nigeria and to determine ownership of mineral resources in Nigeria on the backdrop of the marginalization of the Oil bearing Communities and the  degradation of the environment of Ijaw land by the  Oil Majors and the Federal Government.

According to Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill IYC was formed in  Kaiama with the gathering of 5000 Ijaw youths representing over 40 Ijaw clans, chose to articulate their aspirations for the Ijaw people, and  demand an end to over four decades  environmental damage, degradation  and underdevelopment.

He stated that the 9th NEC will build on the gains, consolidate and improve on the achievements of  previous administrations of council to achieve set goals.

He lauded the Founding Fathers of Council and other  leaders that  contributed  immensely to the  growth and survival of Council. 

On the issue of factional leadership of Council, he said Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri(Snr.)led IYC NEC is the only recognized  Council and advised those fanning the embers of crisis as those seeking  attention and cheap publicity, and then to support the Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri  led  IYC to move the Ijaw Nation forward.

When asked to state the  the gains of the Kaiama declaration and 25 years existence of IYC, Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill was bold to state that IYC has become the voice of Ijaw people and the Niger Delta. He said IYC agitation led to the establishment of NDDC, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Amnesty Programme, 13 percent derivation to oil producing states among other gains

On the issue of interference of state governments on IYC elections, the Spokesman explained that IYC election is based on delegates elected from the various clans who are empowered to vote at the  main election while stating that governments particularly Bayelsa State, the only homogeneous state of the Ijaws has a role to play to ensure a peaceful IYC election and will not described it as an interference 

When asked to state what plans Council will adopt to address youth unemployment on the backdrop of Ijaw Youths been described as lazy by some political leaders and not willing to work, Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill said it is not a fair description of Ijaw Youths adding that they are intelligent and hard working. He promised that the 9th NEC will  roll out skills acquisition  progrommes to build the capacity of youths to become self reliant.

The IYC Spokesman noted that youths have become the backbone and voice  of Ijaw Nation and should be treated with dignity.

On issue of non payment of salary of workers of local governments, pensioners and non  performance of states governments and the need for IYC to address the issues, the Spokesman hinted that that the IYC has no control over government officials but can only raise such issues for public and. government attention. He assured that the 9th NEC of IYC will continue to fight for  equitable distribution of public resources for the benefit of all.

He enjoined Ijaws at home and the diaspora to identify with the 25 years of Kaiama Declaration and Foundation of IYC celebration.