DICKSON TASKS INC ON NATION’S UNITY; WANTS COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ETHNIC NATIONALITIES IN BUILDING A VIRILE AND UNITED NIGERIA

28/03/2013
DICKSON TASKS INC ON NATION’S UNITY; WANTS COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ETHNIC NATIONALITIES IN BUILDING A VIRILE AND UNITED NIGERIA

 The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has sought collaborative effort of major ethnic nationalities in the Country towards the building and sustenance of a virile and united nation. Stressing the need to build bridges across major ethnic groups in the country, Hon. Dickson during the inauguration of the newly elected Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress,(INC) on Thursday in Yenagoa tasked the leadership of the ethnic group to see it as a task that must be accomplished. 

His words,’ we must promote better understanding not just among people in Ijaw land but across various ethnic nationalities in the country. Declaring support for President Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor said this had become imperative, noting his efforts towards building a better Nigeria, peace and security of lives are guaranteed. 

In his charge to the new Executive of INC, the governor expressed the readiness of his administration to collaborate with them the Ijaw National Congress, to convene an all-embracing forum of stakeholders to evaluate the collective interest of Ijaws in the light of emerging national issues in the country. Calling for the convocation of an Ijaw Forum, the governor said it would go a long way in cementing relations among Ijaw ethnic nationalities. He described his administration as an INC government and pledged his continued support to the Pan-Ijaw socio-cultural organization to enable it remain as a formidable body that would champion the cause of the Ijaw Nation. 

“This Government will continue to stand for what is in the Ijaw fundamental national interest.” Government of Bayelsa State will give support and then we will work out modalities to ensure that in no distant time all the political and opinion leaders will assemble here again in your Jerusalem to evaluate the Ijaw national imperatives in the light of current development.” 

Governor Dickson extolled the leadership qualities of the new President and called for the restructuring of the Congress so that both the people at the grassroots and national level would feel its impact. While congratulating the new Executive Council, he reminded them of the task ahead especially in the area of mobilizing the people and resources to actualize the interest of the Ijaw Nation.

 In his acceptance speech, the INC President, Senator Tari Sekibo pledged to run an all-inclusive administration to strengthen the unity among Ijaws.  Senator Sekibo, said the 2015 elections at the state and national levels, implementation of the Local Content Act, Petroleum Industry Bill, as well as creation of new states and Local Government areas as some of the important issues that would be tackled. 

He thanked the people for giving the new Exco the opportunity to serve and called for support from all stakeholders. The out-gone Acting President, Chief Joshua Benamaisia, highlighted some of the achievements of his administration to include spearheading initiatives and interfacing with other ethnic groups to support Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential bid. 

In their goodwill messages, Ijaw elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Abiye Kuromiema congratulated the new leadership and stressed the need for them to build bridges of unity in the country. Highpoint of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation Staff of Office by Governor Dickson to the INC President.     

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State