As the ljaw nation gathered in ljaw House to elect new leadership of the ljaw National Congress (INC) on Saturday 7th March, 2026, the outgoing President of Congress, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba has called for strategic global engagement in the ljaw struggle rather than protest-driven advocacy, stressing that ljaw ethnic nationality remained Nigeria's economic backbone despite years of neglect.
Prof. Okaba advocated for a shift from protest-driven advocacy to stronger global engagement, and described the gathering as a milestone for leadership renewal and a re-assessment of the organisation’s direction.
Okaba equally noted that despite being a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil-driven economy, the Ijaw nation continues to suffer environmental degradation and infrastructure neglect.
The INC President announced new strategic initiatives, including a Territorial Mapping Project aimed at digitally documenting Ijaw ancestral lands to support environmental monitoring and resource negotiations.
As part of efforts to strengthen unity, he said the INC has registered 15 affiliate groups to work together in amplifying the Ijaw voice on national and international platforms.
Dignitaries at the event included the governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, former Bayelsa deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and other lawmakers, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Sawyer, Commissioners, the All Progressives Congress state chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, local government chairmen, chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo and royal fathers from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states as well as top government functionaries and stakeholders.
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