The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has initiated a three-day program of activities to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Kaiama Declaration and the foundation of the IYC. Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill, the new spokesperson of the council, announced the celebration during a press conference at the Light Newspapers Communications Complex in Yenagoa.
The event began with the foundation laying ceremony of the Ijaw Youth Council Global Secretariat in Yenagoa, marking a historic milestone for the organization. The 9th NEC (National Executive Council) of the IYC, led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri (Snr.), expressed gratitude to the Ijaw nation for their support and pledged to provide effective, purposeful, and responsive leadership.
Day two featured a thanksgiving service, a public lecture, the launch of the IYC database, and an award night at Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa. The third and final day, scheduled for December 11, 2023, includes a grand finale at the OX-bow Lake Pavilion and Kaiama Grammar School field. Activities will include a processional march, the unveiling of the late Isaac Adaka Boro Statue, a variety night, and other attractions.
The Kaiama Declaration, made on December 11, 1998, was a significant event where the Ijaw Youth Council aggregated the views of Ijaw youths on the political crisis in Nigeria. It aimed to address issues related to the ownership of mineral resources, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment in Ijaw land. The declaration became a pivotal moment in the history of the Ijaw people and led to the formation of the IYC.
Ambassador Princewill highlighted the achievements of the IYC, such as its role as the voice of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta. He noted that IYC’s advocacy contributed to the establishment of institutions like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Amnesty Programme, and the allocation of 13 percent derivation to oil-producing states.
The celebration comes amid calls for unity within the IYC and recognition of the 9th NEC led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri (Snr.). The IYC aims to continue its mission of advocating for the rights and development of the Ijaw people, addressing youth unemployment through skills acquisition programs, and promoting equitable distribution of public resources. The spokesperson urged Ijaws at home and in the diaspora to participate in the 25th-anniversary celebration.
