“Refrain From Participating In Proposed Protest “ Western Zone IYC Charge Ijaw Youths -

Be Freeborn Abraye

The Ijaw Youth Council, or IYC, which represents the Western Zone, which includes the states of Delta, Edo, and Ondo, has announced that it will not take part in the “EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” nationwide protest, which is set to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024, across the nation. The organization cites a number of reasons for its decision, including the youth body’s lack of consultation and their inability to adequately represent the unique needs of the Ijaw Nation.

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the IYC Western Zone produced a press release outlining its stance. The release was signed by Tare Magbei, the information officer, Nicholas Igarama, the chairman, and Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq., the secretary.

The leadership of the national organization and well-known Ijaw Nation leaders advised the IYC Western Zone not to participate in the demonstration.

While acknowledging the necessity of addressing poor governance, the Comr. Igarama-led IYC stated that, while it remains dedicated to “peace, stability, and constructive engagement,” it would prefer to focus its efforts on addressing local issues that impact the youth body. Additionally, it stressed the importance of “working together for the betterment of our community through peaceful and progressive dialogue.”

The full statement: reads as follows:

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, after a thorough and diligent consultation with the IYC National Executive Council and critical stakeholders, affirms as follows;

1] That Nigeria is currently faced with diverse and severe economic hardship levels occasioned by the implementation of poorly thought-out policies like the hike in pump price of petrol and electricity tariff.

2] That the demands of the organizers of the proposed nationwide protest, which includes implementation of the resolutions reached at the 2014 national confab, reduction of petrol and gas prices, fixing and putting local refineries into use, among other demands are timely and in order.

3] However, after thorough deliberation and consideration of the current socio-political, climate and the interests of our people, we present the following reasons for our standpoint:

a. That the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone and its national body were not duly consulted by the proposed protest organisers in the design of their demands.

b. That IYC, the most structured and reputable youth organisation in sub-Saharan Africa, will not be coerced into partaking in a protest that is organized by faceless entities with no actionable plans.

c. That the proposed #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest themed “10 Days of Rage” has so much unexplainable undertones and symptoms of a revolution, and bears so much risk.

d. The proposed protest lacks a unified and strategic leadership structure. This ambiguity can lead to mismanagement of the protests, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of unintended consequences.

e. That demands that bothers on the development of the Niger Delta like the East-West Road, environmental remediation of the Niger Delta are not captured in the proposed protest.

f. There is need for all IOCs to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region to boost the economic fortune of the Niger Delta region, this was not captured in the demands for the nation wide protest.

g. That the intentional exclusion of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of the Niger Delta People from their onshore divestment initiative that is major concern for the Niger Delta people is not also captured in the demands of nation wide protest.

h. As a community, we treat with respect the counsel of the National Executive Council and prominent leaders of Ijaw nation, and their calls for us to shun the protest is based on a deep understanding of the potential risks involved.

i. While we recognize the importance of addressing bad governance at the national level, it is crucial that we also focus on local issues that directly impact the Ijaw nation. Our energies should be directed towards tackling challenges within our immediate environment.

4] On that note, the IYC Western Zone calls on the Federal Government and all appropriate quarters to discontinue the divestment of the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) until Ijaw sons and daughters are captured in the bidding and sales process.

5] The deliberate denial mete out on our people in the sale of assets domiciled in Ijaw will not be tolerated, and as promised we will shutdown oil and gas exploration activities of the SPDC if our sons and daughters are not given room to be part of the divestment process.

6] Conclusively, the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone, strongly advises all Ijaw youths to abstain from the proposed #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest owing to the aforementioned standpoints of Council.

Our commitment to peace, stability, and constructive engagement remains unwavering. Let us continue to work together for the betterment of our community through peaceful and progressive dialogue.

Signed,
NICHOLAS IGARAMA
Chairman, IYC Western Zone

EBI JOSHUA OLOWOLAYEMO ESQ
Secretary, IYC Western Zone

TARE MAGBEI
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone