The City of Houston in Texas, United States of
America, has proclaimed July 5 as Ijaw Convention Day.
The proclamation signed by the city’s Mayor, John
Whitmire, was presented to the Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INC-A)
on Saturday during the award night and unveiling of the Ijaw Cultural and
Heritage Centre as part of activities of its three-day second Ijaw Global
Convention with the theme: “Effective Leadership in Ijaw Nation,” held at the
Marriott Hotel in Westchase.
The document was received by the Governor-General of
the Ijaw nation and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, represented
by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Peter Akpe, alongside the INC President, Prof.
Benjamin Okaba, and the INC-A Chairman, Mr. Ken Anga.
Mr. Whitmire described the Ijaw community in Houston
and across the United States as “a vibrant and growing segment of the
Nigerian-American disaspora, contributing significantly to business, education,
energy, healthcare, culture, and civic life - particularly in the Greater
Houston area.”
The mayor, who acknowledged the contribution of the
Ijaw people to the city’s cultural diversity and spirit of enterprise, also
noted that the convention was a vital platform for cultural preservation,
unity, and international collaboration as it strengthens the historical and
socio-political ties between the Ijaw people and the broader African diaspora.
Speaking through Akpe, his Chief of Staff, Governor
Diri said the proclamation was heartwarming and that acknowledging the positive
contributions of the Ijaw people in Houston and other states would strengthen
the bonds of unity and economic ties between Nigeria and the United States.
The Bayelsa governor urged his kinsmen to continue to
be great ambassadors of the ethnic nationality in their adopted country while
also contributing to economic growth and development back home.
He also commended the INC and the INC-A for a
well-organised convention and pledged the support of the Bayelsa government to
activities that promote and positively project the Ijaw nationality at home and
in the disaspora.
He said: “This convention is a wonderful gathering
that needs to be encouraged with all the energy that Ijaw people can muster. A
family that does not seat together to discuss will lose their land. The parents
and children might not even know where their family land is located if you do
not gather like this.”
Diri said his administration was intentional in
preserving and promoting the Ijaw identity and language by employing more than
350 language teachers and that there was a state legislation that made the
teaching of Izon compulsory in schools.
Also, Okaba and Anga expressed appreciation to the
City of Houston for the proclamation, saying it would spur the Ijaw community
to greater achievements in America and beyond.
In a goodwill message presented virtually, former
President Goodluck Jonathan equally commended the INC-A leadership for inviting
him, explaining that his absence was due to other pressing commitments and that
his wife had to represent him.
Dr. Jonathan stated: “This convention is timely as it
offers an opportunity for reunion and re-affirmatiin of our identity and values
as Ijaw people. The theme of this convention is apt as it reflects the
challenges of our time and underscores the need for us to re-commit to the
values that define us as a people, which are justice, truth, unity and equity.
“We have a responsibility to stand for what is just
and true. We must see ourselves as one and work collectively towards our shared
success and progress regardless of our political differences. Let us eschew the
habit of pulling down one another. Let us nurture the need of love and
tolerance in our lives and promote the virtues of unity and sacrifice in our
communities.
“Let this convention serve as a platform that
reawakens our spirit and commitment to quality service. Let it renew our
collective dedication to justice, equity and responsible stewardship for our
people.”
Papers on leadership, socio-cultural, developmental
and environmental issues affecting the Ijaw nation were presented by prolific
author and King of Ekpetiama kingdom in Bayelsa State, Bubaraye Dakolo, the
Pere of Tarakiri kingdom, Dr. Seiyifa Koroye, Head of the School of Law,
University of Bradford, Prof. Engobo Emeseh as well as leadership and financial
management expert, Dr. Sam Jaja.
Awards were also presented to Jonathan, his wife, Dame
Patience, Governor Diri, his suspended Rivers State counterpart, Sir Siminalayi
Fubara, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy
Danagogo, and former governor and senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief
Seriake Dickson.
Others were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil),
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development
Commission, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty
Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, as well as former Executive Secretary, Nigerian
Content Development and Monitoring Board, High Chief Amagbe Kentebe, and Prof.
Okaba.
Also honoured were King Dakolo, the Pere of Kabowei
kingdom, King Shadrach Erebulu, oil magnate, Chief Ken Etete, and President,
Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri.
The late Ijaw icon, Pa Edwin Clark, also got a post-humous honour.
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