Spokesman Princewill Give Reasons Why The IYC is Not Participating In The Protest
Spokesman Princewill Give Reasons Why The IYC Is Not Participating In The Protest
By Ndu Samuel
The Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill has while reaffirming the position of Council as directed by the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr has given more reasons why the IYC is not participating in the national protest.
Binebai who was addressing the press at his office yesterday in Warri noted that the press briefing was necessary to further reaffirm the position taken by Council through the erudite President of IYC Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr.
While calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to be human enough in addressing the yearnings of Nigerians, Princewill stressed that Nigerians are truly suffering and there is need for the Government to make life easy for the common man.
Nevertheless, Amb. Yerin noted that while the IYC is not joing the protest, the Federal government should also be aware that the Ijaw people and the entire Niger Delta region is yearning for proper development.
Princewill highlighted the demands of the IYC to include the urgent fixing of the entire East-West Road, Relocation of International Oil Companies (IOCs) headquarters back to the Niger Delta region, the inclusion of Ijaw people in the purported sale of Shell’s Onshore Assets, the IYC is also calling for a national dialogue in addressing the multifaceted issues bedeviling Nigeria, Ijaw and the entire Niger Delta, reduction of fuel price to ease the terrific and terrifying living condition of the common man.
“As Niger Deltans and Ijaw people, we have for long cried for the development of our Niger Delta region and Ijaw communities and villages, but it is shocking and surprising that over the years, no region has been fair enough in joining the Ijaws in our genuine quest for resource control and self determination.
“The IYC cannot risk joining a protest it knows nothing about that did not also include its developmental agenda.
“Because there is also no child without a father, our leaders who have fought for decades over the development of our region have also spoken and engaged Council not to play to the gallery. Some of these our highly respected leaders that have prevailed on Council not to fall prey for the antics of people in the guise of the protest Include His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, popularly known as the Governor general of Ijaw Nation, High Chief (Dr) Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo, alias Tompolo, father of the modern day Ijaw struggle, High Chief Dennis Burutu Otuaro PhD, Administrator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, State Minister for Petroleum (Oil), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, CEO/MD NDDC, our leader, Pyramid of the struggle, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, Chief Timipre Slyva with the host of other leaders that have cautioned against the protest. As good children, we have to listen to our leaders most especially when the so called protest does even address our Niger Delta and Ijaw problems.
“The IYC is also lauding our Zonal and Chapter structures for carrying out the directive of the national President of council on behalf of NEC by ensuring that Council at the various zones and chapters do not protest.”
Meanwhile, the Spokesman of Council asserted that he is optimistic that soon there will be moves within Ijaw and Niger Delta for which the issues confronting the Ijaw people and Niger Delta will be tabled before the Federal Government for urgent attention.
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