IYC PRESIDENT SAYS DESPITE CHALLENGES, COUNCILโS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR ARE UNDENIABLE
โฆ Assures Ijaw Youths Of A More Fruitful 2025
The President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, has said despite the challenges that confronted the council last year, their achievements are undeniable.
The IYC President, who said this in his new year speech, expressed regret that, in spite of their best efforts to prevent potential conflicts, unfortunate incidents occured, resulting in the tragic loss of young lives, an event he said, had the potential to create deep divisions within the Council, if not for the proactiveness of his leadership.
Jonathan Lokpobiri, who used the moment to honour the memories of those Ijaw Youths who lost their lives in Abuloma Town, said challenging as it was last year, his leadership was able to cultivate a sense of resilience and make some significant achievements which include, the successful amendment of the IYC Constitution in a well attended Constitutional Convention in Odi Town, pointing out that the adoption and ratificatiin of the constitution, which has been lingering for the past 13 years, will settle some major crisis in Council.
The President, said, in order to enable Ijaw Youths, address complex and large-scale challenges, with best approach, his leadership took proactive steps in equipping their youths through providing foreign and local scholarships and other skills acquisition programs.
Lokpobiri, also said, efforts to build a state-of-the-art secretariat complex for Council, got a major boast last year, as substantial funds to kickstart the project was successfully raised, which enabled them to complete the site clearing and gave them the assurance that the project which will commence shortly, will be completed before the end of their tennure.
The IYC President who used the opportunity to call on Ijaw Youths all over the world, to support and stand by Governor Siminalaye Fubara, of Rivers State, in every step of the way, used the opportunity to issue a stern warning to certain tribes and kingdoms, that have been perpetrating violence, displacement and land grabbing against the Ijaw people, simply because they are minorities in those States, stressing that if this ugly trend and that of the persistent killings of their farmers by herdsmen, is not halted immediately, the IYC will be forced to take matters into its own hands and defend themselves by all means necessary.
While calling on political leaders to prioritize education, healthcare, employment generation and infrastructural development, in their communities, as he extends his heartfelf gratitude to those leaders who have supported the IYC in achieving its goals, Jonathan Lokpobiri, also advised Ijaw youths to continue in peace, unity and brotherhood, and harness innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development to drive positive change.
He called on Ijaw youths to refrain from engaging in illicit activities such as bunkering which can devastate their environment, but rather join the global movement in acknowledging the reality of climate change and advocating for sustainable practices that prioritize the presevation of their delecate ecosystem, thereby contributing to a more environmentally conscious future.
The IYC President, however used the medium to reaffirm the commitment of his leadership, to advancing Ijaw nation and promoting the well-being of their people, while advocating for justice, equality and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
He wished all Ijaws and Niger Deltans a prosperous new year, assuring that 2025, will be a more fruitful year for them.
