Bayelsa Ministry for Information pledges support to Ijaw students cultural program, says Restoration govt is committed to the Ijaw cause.

- Ijaw students congratulates Dickson on his supreme Court victory.

- Izon Culture must be revived, says Obuebite.

YENAGOA: On the 10th of November 2016, the National Union of Izon-Ibe students (NUIS) Worldwide, which is the umbrella body covering the activities of all Ijaw students in Nigeria and diaspora, in company with members of the Mr and Miss izon-ibe cultural pageant committee, paid a courtesy visit to the office of the  Bayelsa state Hon. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite.

Leading the delegation was the National Secretary of the Union, Comr. Israel Fubara, who also represented the National President, Comr. Seifere Douye saviour who was on an official trip in Abuja.

The Secretary appreciated the Honourable commissioner for his hospitality and commitment towards the development of youths, students and Bayelsa state in General, he further congratulated His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson on his supreme Court victory, stating that it was indeed a victory well deserved and reflection of the people's will, he therefore concluded by appealing to the ministry of information and Orientation to support in ensuring the success of the Mr and Miss izon-ibe cultural pageant event, which is to mark a milestone in the promotion of Ijaw cultural tourism potentials.

Speaking also, was the Honourable commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, he applauded the students for coming up with such a brilliant idea to revive our fast decaying culture, he explained how sad it has now become seeing some persons even in the village who can no longer speak their local dialects, he narrated how he ensured a bill was passed to compulsorily inculcate the study of izon language and culture in all schools across the state when he was a then member of the house, but he said that his enormous effort was thwarted by the then Chief Timipre Sylva's administration, who saw nothing good in promotion of our cultural values. He narrated how ideas to promote Ijaw culture was initiated and was immediately bought by Governor Dickson who has so much passion for Izon traditional values, Customs and norms.

According to the Commissioner, this ideas are now visibly seen, he stated that for the first time, the Restoration government created a ministry to oversee all Ijaw activities in the Niger Delta, which brought about the Bayelsa state coat of arms, the flag and others which have now given the Ijaw people an Identity, thereby preserving our cultural values, he maintained that the restoration ADMINISTRATION will always continue to support activities that are geared towards promoting and preserving the Izon cultural values.

Lastly, he assured the students of his ministry's support towards the Mr and Miss izon-ibe cultural pageant event, stating that the ministry will be fully involved in the event as it will please Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson as he always gains delight in seeing the Ijaw agenda been propagated.