The elders and leaders of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) started by acknowledging the existence of division. They acknowledged the problems instead of shying away from them.
They brought everyone to the round table without disrespecting, discriminating, or segregating anyone. They showed love and respect to all irrespective of their age or age differences.
They never placed money or influence of anyone above others.
They never created an atmosphere or impression of winner takes all. They never replicated the zero-sum politics that is played in our contemporary political arena.
High Chief (Barr.) Dr Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku and his noble team replicated a strategic formula and strategy that they applied earlier in Lagos in 2013.
That formula worked after the failure of many meetings that were hosted by Pa E.K Clark and other outstanding Ijaw leaders.
The greatest secret behind the success of their strategy was the high sense of belonging that they gave to all parties.
They acknowledged and respected the fact that every voice, son, and daughter of Ijaw Nation counts. Thus, they never shut anyone down.
Dr. Kuku is relatively younger than multitudes of Ijaw leaders, but he is endowed with so much wisdom that can be likened to native degree.
His tactfulness de-escalated the hitherto tension in IYC and resulted in one of the best national conventions since the formation of the Council in 1998.
Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr and his outstanding team like the case of Barr. Oweilaemi Roland Pereotubo and Barr. Eric Omare also played one of the most significant roles.
At the peak of the tension, Lokpobiri proved that the collective interest of the Ijaw Nation is above personal interest. He carried Dr. Alaye Theophilus, along against all odds.
The unholy, irrational tradition of conquest should never be introduced or encouraged in Ijaw National Congress (INC), which is the apex socio-cultural organization of Ijaw people.
Successive INC leaderships were never built around a few individuals. Rather, they were always about teams.
IYC under Dr. Felix Tuodolo gained prominence because of vocal characters like Barr. Oronto N. Douglas and Dr. Isaac Osuoka alias Thomas Sankara.
During the Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo led Exco, Barr. Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku was everywhere as the Spokesman and Mouthpiece of the Council.
Dr. Chris Ekio also made proper use of the media coupled with the fact that he is an orator.
INC gained so much prominence due to the media works of Elder Joseph Eva as National Publicity Secretary and the good works of Prof. Kimse Okoko.
Nigeria is presently at a defining moment. In the history of Ijaw Nation, this is one of the times that Ijaw people are facing existential threats by external invaders.
Ijaw Nation needs vocal voices. INC should be able to articulate issues on behalf of the Ijaw Nation.
For instance, it is unbelievable and unacceptable that the Federal Ministry of Works and Infrastructure recently awarded kilometers of roads in most states, but Bayelsa State, the only homogeneous Ijaw State in the country was deliberately denied, deprived and excluded. Bayelsa State was shortchanged. Ijaws were denied the opportunity despite the fact that Ijaw Nation owns well over 65% of the crude oil and gas wealth that are used to run the country.
I therefore warn that the introduction of compensatory politics and politics of patronage into INC at a defining moment such as we find ourselves is not only dangerous, it may be very injurious too.
Moving forward, i humbly and passionately appeal to Ijaw leaders and critical stakeholders to do real justice to all contentious issues in INC so that INC can perform its avowed duties. It will amount to self-deceit for anyone to think that all is well with the INC or that contentious issues shall fizzle out overtime.
I commend the notable and noble members of the INC Reconciliation Committee for their immeasurable sacrifices and their wise counsel. Like other stakeholders, I am optimistic that their recommendations shall help in no small measure in reforming, transforming and repositioning the umbrella body of Ijaw people all over the world.
Finally, IZON means TRUTH. Ijaw elders and leaders are known for speaking and upholding the truth at very critical moments. I do not think that the prevalent situation will be an exemption.
– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Critical Stakeholder in the quest for a united and more prosperous Ijaw Nation