OKABA CALLS FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN IJAWS IN DIASPORA AND THOSE AT HOME TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES FACING IJAWLAND AMIDST ENORMOUS RESOURCES WITHOUT COMMENSURATE BENEFITS

The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide, Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba, has called for increased collaboration between Ijaws in the diaspora and those at home to address the challenges facing Ijawland.

The May 2024 INC Americas Global Ijaw Convention, hosted by the INC Americas Chapter, has officially commenced in Houston, Texas, with a grand welcome address from the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress worldwide. The three-day event, held from May 10th to May 12th at the Hilton Garden Inn Sugar-Land in Greater Houston City, has brought together dignitaries, stakeholders, and participants from around the world.

In his address, Prof. Okaba expressed his gratitude to all those in attendance, including His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), as well as Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and other esteemed guests.

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Prof Okaba emphasized the need for unity and partnership among Ijaws, both at home and in the diaspora, to tackle the socio-economic challenges facing the Ijaw Nation. He urged for a bi-directional engagement between Ijaws in the diaspora and those at home, beyond traditional remittances and philanthropy, to include advocacy, political investments, and cultural exchanges.

The theme of the convention, “Ijaw NATION: Nurturing Partnership Through Symbiotic Relationships Towards Homeland, Social, and Economic Development,” underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the Ijaw people. Prof Okaba reiterated the peaceful intentions of the Ijaw Nation in seeking resource and environmental justice, fair political representation, and economic empowerment.

Despite the rich natural resources in Ijawland, the region continues to face poverty, environmental degradation, and neglect from successive administrations. Prof Okaba stressed the need for a fair and just political and economic regime that guarantees the Ijaw people control over their natural resources and follows well-established derivation principles.

The convention, which aims to create an enabling environment for diaspora participation in the development of their ancestral home, is expected to lead to positive outcomes for the Ijaw Nation. Participants are engaged in discussions and deliberations aimed at finding sustainable solutions to the challenges facing Ijawland.

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Prof. Okaba further highlighted the importance of launching the Ijaw Cultural Centre in Houston, Texas, at this crucial time, emphasizing the need for support from the Ijaw community and friends of the cause. He also commended the INC Americas Chapter for their unity efforts and the hosting of this historic event.

In conclusion, Prof Okaba called for peaceful and fruitful deliberations at the convention, expressing confidence that the resolutions reached will have far-reaching positive impacts on the collective existence of the Ijaw people.