Follow Us on Google
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has charged the new leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to reinvent the organisation and restore its original mission of advancing the interests and development of the Ijaw people.
He gave the charge yesterday when the 10th IYC President, Doubra Okotete, and his executive paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor urged the new leadership to work with governments, international agencies and other stakeholders to tackle youth unemployment and poverty, while protecting the interests and resources of the Niger Delta.
He warned the council against politicisation, picketing companies for pecuniary gains and other activities capable of bringing the organisation into disrepute.
Diri said the IYC and the Ijaw National Congress were established to promote the development of the Ijaw nation, secure recognition for the contribution of Ijaw people to Nigeria and protect the region’s resources from exploitation.
He said the council had, over the years, deviated from those objectives, charging the new leadership to restore its values and relevance.
His words: “I want to see a new IYC that will be re-engineered to engage with Bayelsa State Government and every other government or agency nationally and internationally; an IYC that will impact on the development of our youths and also guard against the expropriation of resources of the Niger Delta region.”
The governor also urged the new executives to restore the values of respect for elders, constituted authority and one another, as well as uphold the fear of God.
Other News
Diri further cautioned Bayelsa youths over the misuse of social media, warning that negative narratives about individuals and the state could discourage investment and undermine development.
He said issues arising in communities should, where possible, be handled through established traditional and community structures before being escalated to government.
“More importantly, we must bring back the values of the Ijaws: respect for your leaders, respect for your parents, and respect for your elders,” he said.
Diri promised to consider the IYC’s request for a utility bus and renovation of its secretariat, and wished the new executive a successful tenure.
Earlier, Okotete said the delegation was at the Government House to formally introduce the new executive and strengthen its relationship with the state government.
He said the new leadership would establish an Ijaw youth database to capture the skills and qualifications of young people and facilitate advocacy for employment and other opportunities.
Okotete also listed protection of the rights of Ijaw people across the country, proposed amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act to better reflect the demands of the Niger Delta, and promotion of Ijaw culture and identity among the council’s priorities.
