Kaiama Declaration: IYC Celebrates 25 Years Existence, Reaffirm Struggle For Resource Control
By Rejoice Egbaseimokumor
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC ) Worldwide has celebrated its 25 years of existence via the Kaiama Declaration. The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide can report.
While celebrating the 25 years silver jubilee of the Kaiama Declaration at Kaima Town yesterday in Bayelsa State, the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr has reaffirmed that the struggle for resource control will continue under the 9th NEC leadership of council.
President Jonathan Lokpobiri gave the assurance yesterday at Kaima while addressing the mammoth crowd that had filed out in their numbers to grace the occasion.
The Ijaw Youths numbering over fifteen thousand drawn from the various clans, zones and chapters had on Monday in a freedom procession matched through the East West Road in the Bayelsa portion to Kaiama, causing heavy traffic gridlock as their determination to mark the 25 years anniversary of the IYC.
Speaking to journalists, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) explained that the 25 years celebration of the Kaiama Declaration is very important to the Ijaw people, stressing that it is time for the Ijaws to reflect on the struggle so far.
He particularly lauded the gallant Ijaw Youths that have filed out in their numbers to honour our fallen heroes and the leadership of 9th NEC, stressing that the day was colourful because of the Ijaw Youths that came out in their numbers to participate in the historic and epoch event.
Princewill maintained that the Ijaw Youth Council have again clearly demonstrated their determination to control sources in their lands and their desire to live an economically robust life in the Nigerian State.
“The 25 years celebration of Kaiama declaration which gave birth to the 25 years existence of IYC is very key and important to us as Ijaw people hence we felt that it is very crucial for us to meet again after 25 years to review where we are coming from, where we are and where we ought to be.
“The Kaiama Declaration was issued by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) of Nigeria on 11 December 1998 to attribute the political crisis in Nigeria to the struggle for the control of oil mineral resources, while asserting that the degradation of the environment of Ijawland by transnational oil companies and the Nigerian State arise mainly because Ijaw people have been robbed of their natural rights to ownership and control of their land and resources.
“The council was formed in the town of Kaiama after 5,000 Ijaw people representing over 40 Ijaw clans, chose to articulate their aspirations for the Ijaw people, and to demand an end to 40 years of environmental damage and underdevelopment.” Spokesman Binebai added.
Meanwhile, the Kaiama Declaration Silver Jubilee celebration started since on the 9th of December 2023 with the foundation laying ceremony of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Global Secretariat, Press Briefing By The Spokesman Of Council, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill.
Day two, which was on the 10th of December 2023, it started with a Thanksgiving Service at the Salvation Ministries in Yenagoa, later in the evening, at the DSP Alamienyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, it features lecture, goodwill messages from founding fathers and former Presidents, award presentation to deserving leaders of Ijaw nation, lunching of the IYC database registration portal, entertainment with the host of other activities too numerous to mention.
Day three, which was the grand finale on Monday 11th of December 2023, freedom walk from Yenagoa to Kaima town, laying of rites at the thomb of Late. Jasper Adaka Boro etc.
