Brave Dickson
The Ijaw Youth Council, Kalabari Se-Ikpangi has said that some ethnic nationalities in Rivers State especially the Ikwerres are trying to chase the Ijaws from the areas they owned in Port Harcourt.
A representative of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief Phillip Agu said this while speaking at a day lecture organized by IYC Kalabari Se – Ikpangi to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Major Adaka Boro.
He said:” Reawakening the consciousness of the Ijaw people using Isaac Adaka Boro as a case study is pertinent because other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State are trying very hard to erase the footprint of the Ijaws in the state.
“Particularly the Ikwerre ethnic nationality; is trying very hard to kick the Ijaws out of the Diobu, Marine base and Gbundu axes of Port Harcourt.
“They want to remove our people who are owners of most areas in Port Harcourt in order to enable the Ikwerres occupy those places owned by the Ijaws.
“Considering the sacrifices of Major Boro and his lieutenants, there is need for the Ijaw people to come together and stand strong against the enemy forces that are trying to deprive us of our rights.”
Also speaking, the secretary aspirant of IYC National, Comrade Nangi Maobuye said, “NDDC was created as a result of our agitation for an Ijaw state but because of lack of unity among the Ijaw people, today NDDC has been influenced by the Yorubas and Hausas.
“As an Ijaw man, for you to get a contract in NDDC, you must secure the approval of the Yoruba man or Hausa man.
“It is time for us to come together because it is our sweat that gave birth to NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”
Stressing further, the Chairman, IYC Kalabari Se – Ikpangi, Comrade Edward Asikitams said: “The essence of this gathering is to take a walk that signifies unity while the lecture is to sensitize our youths who are taking over from our forebearers that stood against oppression and suppression.
“Leadership is transient. As our fathers are aging, the youths are taking over and while taking over, they must learn the tenets and principles of IYC.
“So, that when the youths take over leadership, they don’t derail. They will stand tall and act within the tenets and principles of IYC. So, that the aspiration of our forebearers will be actualized.
“Krakrama community in Kalabari for- instance is a major stakeholder in the oil and gas industry. But as I speak, the school there is dilapidated. No functional laboratory, library and classroom in that school.
“The area is also lacking access to medical service and the road network in Kalabari as a whole is poor.
“These interventionist agencies such as the NDDC that were created to ameliorate the sufferings of our people are not doing the right thing.”
The IYC also condemned the demolition of a Bayelsa State owned building by the Wike led state government in Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
