by Peregba Jerry
The newly sworn-in National Executive Council members of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has been charged to steer the ship of the Ijaws without fear, urging them to be the voice of the nation and also bring it to fore on national discuss.
The chairman of the INC electoral committee, gave the charge at 8th inauguration ceremony of the newly elected national executive council of INC at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
The chairman in his opening remark, urged them to abide by the constitution of the INC and not to see their position as a means to add their CV, adding that they are the voice of the Ijaws which is the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. He said the Ijaw nation has been described as a “loud silence” for too long in Nigeria, charged the elected members to take the Ijaw progressive agenda and journey in unity to where it should be.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion, King Alfred Diete-spiff, who lamented that the Ijaw nation has been in the doldrum for too long, also charged the NEC members to identify and drive towards achieving the Ijaw goal.
King Alfred Diete-spiff, who is the traditional ruler of Tuwan Brass and also the Chairman Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), urged them to be fearless in the discharge of their duties. He admonished them to constitute an all-Izon summit and make recommendation and bring to the CITRE in order to have a common and enduring mandate to work with.
He assured them that the CITRE and the whole Ijaw nation will work with them to bring Ijaw into the front burner.
In his maiden address, the new president of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, thanked the governor of Bayelsa state, Sen. Douye Diri, King Alfred Diete-spiff, the electoral committee and delegates for making the occasion a reality. He said the exemplary electoral process that has brought him to office has seen commendation from far and beyond.
He also congratulated his fellow contestant, which according to him showed uncommon sportsmanship for accepting defeat.
Highlights of the event, taking the oath, presentation of the insignia of office to the new president and the executive members.
