IYC SPECIAL CHAPTER HOLDS FIRST INAUGURAL CONGRESS

...constitutes nine man eleco committe to conduct clan elections

The Special Chapter of the Ijaw youths council (IYC) Worldwide, Abua Odual/Engenni Ogbogolo Chapter, in Rivers State, yesterday 2nd August, held it's first inaugural congress to set up a nine man Electoral committee to conduct clan Elections.

The congress, which took place at Abgebi memorial school Omalem Abua town in Abua/Odual Local Government of Rivers State, witnessed massive participation of Ijaw youths in the chapter, who came out enmass and in solidarity to endorse their unanimous decision in the constitution of the new chapter.

Comr. Sokari G. Sokari, the Pioneer chairman of the Chapter, in his opening remark, appreciated the mammoth youths in the chapter for availing themselves adding that service to council is paramount.

He said: "We have to take into cognizance the motto of IYC which says service before reward.

"I can assure you all that the marginalisation we suffered in the central zone will not be repeated in this chapter. IYC is not APC, IYC is not PDP we work for the interest of Ijaw people.

"We are a special chapter because it's made up of homogeneous Ijaw communities. We believe that in the upcoming national convention our status as a special chapter will be ratified.", he added.

According to the Chairman, the congress was convened to review the clan structure, so as to give the clans in the chapter more powers.

A nine man electoral committee headed by Comr. Faithful Harrison was therefore constituted to conduct clan elections that will elect clan representatives for the Chapter.

Other members of the eleco drawn from all communities making up the chapter are: All For Jesus Fred, Azebaikeme Nelson Sobere, Festus Chuks, Prince Rami, Benjamin Elaamen, St. Paul Edum, Kingdom Moses, Kenoye Loyal.

On his path, the Vice-Chairman of the chapter Comr. Peaceful Benson harped on the fact that the IYC struggle has its roots in Orashi.

In attendance were: the Chief Security Officer Abua Odual LGA Mr. Aselemi BalaI; representative of the Department of State Services (DSS) and representative of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) in Abua Odual amongst others.

The Chapter was inaugurated on the 24th of July 2017 by leaders, Elders and stakeholders of the IYC after deliberations  which lasted for hours.

The Ijaws in Abua Odual/Engenni ogbogolo kingdoms in Ahoada west local Government area, Rivers state, despite their resilience, devotion, dedication, determination and great commitment to the Ijaw activities, have constantly received unhealthy and ill-treatment, meted out on them by leaders in the central zone.

They have also been consistently barred and deprived from contesting and manning some key and very sensitive offices in Central Zone.

Following these reasons, Ijaw Elders and Leaders therefore gathered on Monday 24th July, 2017 and resorted to formally elevate the area to a Chapter of its own.

With these above development, the area now has equal status with Lagos and Abuja Chapters and the three (3) Zones-Central, Western and Eastern Zones respectively.