By Binebai Princewill

Newly Inaugurated President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba has vowed that his 8th National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ijaw National Congress will squarely address the alleged many issues bedeviling the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Nigerian state. The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide can report.

The INC President made the declaration in his inaugural speech shortly after his inauguration earlier today at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State. 

Prof. Okaba had noted that he hopes to conduct other component structures of the Ijaw national Congress elections within a period of sixty (60) days in office. 

He particularly commended the Chief Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) for its stance on regional unity and advocating for a better Niger Delta region from  the Nigerian state. 

Speaking further, Okaba said the Ijaw unity is more paramount for a better and stronger Ijaw nation, stressing that he will work hard to stregthten the bond of unity in Ijaw nation. 

He maintained that INC will engage the Federal Government of Nigeria, multinational oil companies operating in the area, various state governments housing the Ijaws on the way forward of the Ijaw people. 

While appreciating the 2021 Ijaw National Congress (INC) Electoral Committee for free, fair and credible election, Okaba had also appreciated delegates for the election, stressing that himself and his executive members will not dissapoint the Ijaw people for the mandate given to them. 

While calling on the presidency for a better political space for the Ijaws in the Nigerian state, Okaba had informed President Muhammadu and other stakeholders in the Nigerian state to immediately restructure the country and urgently tackle the unending issue of insecurity ravaging  the country. 

In his words: “The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide under my command is demanding for the immediate restructuring of Nigeria, fiscal federalism and resource control, environmental clean up of the Niger Delta, immediate inauguration of a substantive board of the NDDC, allocation of oil bloc license to Niger Deltans, etc.”

The INC President promised that he will carry everyone along as he will operate an open door policy, stressing that his victory at the election and subsequent inauguration is all but the hand work of God and a victory for the Ijaw nation, adding that he will call for an end of the political balkernization of the Ijaws into several states as minorities in the Nigerian state. 

However, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba had also lauded the demands made recently by the Southern Governors Forum at Asaba, stressing that the INC is in total support of such demands. 

For a better Ijaw nation, Okaba said plans will  be  put in place by the INC under his watch to convoke an Ijaw National summit to look into the multifaceted woes confronting the Ijaw nation in the Nigerian state. 

In his reaction to revive the dying Ijaw language, Okaba noted that he will work for the  establishment of Ijaw language academy where the Ijaw language will be taught in schools across the Niger Delta. 


In newly inaugurated INC Exco include Prof Benjamin Okaba – President, Mr Atamuno Atamuno – Vice President 1, Chief Alabo Nengi James – Vice President 2, Chief Williams F.J – Vice President 3, Engr Ebipamowei Wodu – Secretary General, Hon Samson Oroupa – Asst Secretary General, High Chief Agu Brown Philip – National Treasurer, Mr. Kennedy Odiowei – Finanacial Secretary, MR Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha – Publicity Secretary, Engr Onengiofori Fenibo – National Organizing Secretary, Barr Bomo Tons Fetepigi – National Legal Adviser, Mrs Alali Danagogo – National Women Affairs Secretary, Mrs Peremo Isenah Opiah – National Welfare Secretary as well as Mr Abisagbo Tamara-emi – National Auditor. 

The inauguration ceremony at Ijaw House Yenagoa was massively attended by dignitaries across the Nigerian federation, prominent among them include His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence, His Excellency, the deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Dcn) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, The Interim Administrator (IA) Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) rtd Col. Milland Dikio, a delegation from Afenifere, Ijaw traditional rulers, Barr. Rowland Pereotubo Oweilaemi, former president Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, women groups, youth groups with the host of others too numerous to mention.  

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