Governor Diri Charges New IYC Leadership to Reinvigorate Council, Warns Against Politicisation

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the new leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to reinvigorate the body to propagate the ideals for which it was formed.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Wednesday, said Governor Diri stated this when the 10th IYC president, Dr. Doubra Okotete, his executive and other stakeholders paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor charged the leadership to work together to bring the council back on track towards projecting and promoting the collective interests of the Ijaw nation.

Governor Diri challenged the body on a virile and vibrant IYC that will work closely with governments at all levels and other relevant international agencies to impact on the development of Ijaw youths.

He also enjoined the executive to provide the right leadership and guard against politicising the body, picketing firms for pecuniary gains and other issues that could bring it into disrepute.

Diri said, “The INC (Ijaw National Congress) and the IYC were formed for the development of Ijaw nation and for recognition of an Ijaw man as somebody with the intellect to also contribute to development of Nigeria, and for our resources not to be expropriated. These were, in simple terms, the reasons for these supranational bodies. As time went on, what we saw was very different. But I am happy today listening to you. In your agenda, you are prepared to bring the IYC back to what it was. I charge you to do just that.”

The governor continued, “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.”

Commending Okotete’s immediate past predecessor for having done his best, Diri urged him to continue from where Jonathan Lokpobiri stopped by bringing back the age-long cherished values of respect for elders, constituted authority, mutual respect for one another, and imbibe the fear of God.

Governor Diri equally admonished Bayelsa youths on use of the social media, noting that issues that crop up online could be handled differently by elders or leaders of their communities, stressing that there were procedures for addressing such matters even before government intervenes.

The state’s helmsman emphasised that negative narratives about individuals and even the state were capable of hindering investments and development.

He said, “Part of what you are to do is to work with government at all levels and the youths to reduce poverty in Nigeria. Government is not only in the states as there is also the Federal Government. You have to engage all stakeholders. More importantly, we must bring back the values of the Ijaws: respect for your leaders, respect for your parents, and respect for your elders. We must bring back those cherished values that made us stand out as Ijaw youths. Those values that made us to be fearful of God.”

Responding to the IYC president’s requests on the provision of a utility bus and renovation of its secretariat, Diri promised that the state government will look into them and prayed for a successful tenure for the executive.

Alabrah stated that in his address, the IYC president said the visit was to formally introduce the new executive as well as strengthen the relationship between the state government and the body.

While commending the state government for its support to the body, Okotete outlined the leadership’s policy framework, which he noted included plans for an Ijaw youth database that would capture the skills and qualifications of young people and make it easier to advocate for employment and other opportunities for them.

He also mentioned among others the protection and advancement of Ijaw peoples’ right anywhere in the country, and to push for amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act to reflect the true intent and demands of the Niger Delta and promotion of the Ijaw culture and identity through the unification of varying interests even among the micro dialects.

Governor Diri reiterated his charge for the new leadership to bring the IYC back to its founding ideals and work closely with all levels of government for the development of Ijaw youths.