N’Delta Crisis: INC Begins Consultations with Youth Bodies, Ijaw Leaders

By Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Disturbed by the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta, the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization, Ijaw National Congress (INC), on Friday embarked on consultations with Ijaw leaders, youth groups and various associations across 78 Ijaw clans within and outside the region.

This was with a view to ascertaining and identifying the immediate grievances of The Niger Delta Avengers in order to
proffer all-inclusive solutions.

The national delegation of the INC, which comprised members from various Ijaw clans, made this known to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, shortly after a consultative visit to the Ijaw community in Abraka and environs in Delta State.

Members of the INC delegation were in Abraka to mourn with and console the Congress leader, Mr. Martins Ezonfade, over the demise of his father, Pa Dr Michael Ezonfade.

Shortly after the visit, the delegation led by the Secretary-General of INC, Dr Bello
Orubebe; INC Western Zone Secretary, Mr Jeff Teiyeibo, Assistant Secretary, INC Lagos, Mr Ebi Benson and others spoke to journalists, giving conditions for peace to return to the region.

They said that the body deemed it necessary to embark on the move to allow for peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups in the country, peace in the Niger Delta as well as to remind the federal government of the need to respond to the Ijaw question.

The Secretary-General, Dr. Orubebe, who spoke on behalf of others, called on the federal government to address issues that needed immediate attention in the region, which he said included kick-starting of the federal Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government area of Delta State.

Again, they want the issue of continued degradation of the Niger Delta through oil exploration with no commensurate measures put in place as well as the need for holistic approach on the region’s poor infrastructure be addressed by the Federal Government.

FURTHER DETAILS LATER

Related Articles