IYC renews call for true federalism, marks Isaac Boro’s 50th anniversary

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has renewed its call for self- determination, restructuring and true federalism in the country. The IYC Chairman in Abuja, Ebizimor Preye, made the call in Abuja yesterday.He spoke at the 50th anniversary of their fallen hero, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro.

He said: “Our expectation is for the Federal Government to look more into the plights of the people of Niger Delta, because we produce what is making this country to work.”According to them, the Federal Government has abandoned the welfare of the Ijaws, despite their vantage position.

He said: “He said Ijaw’s contribution to this country from 1958 in Oloibiri till now, and the contributions of Boro informed the need to immortalise him.He said only 10 per cent of what the late Boro fought for has been achieved.

The people today have placed themselves strategically to achieve for themselves as the era of arms struggle fades away.The Chairman, Ijaw youth community in Abuja, Onimim Batubo said it was part of the late Boro’s struggle that led to the emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We are celebrating the legend and the founding father of the Ijaw struggle. The day is for mourning and celebration, because Boro gave hope to an average Ijaw man that has a voice today in the Nigeria context.”

Chairman of the central zone of the council, Tare Porri, said enough was enough of the Federal Government’s playing of politics with the issue of true federalism, restructuring and development in the Niger Delta.

Porri, who led a protest three days ago, urged the Federal Government to stop the prosecution of former Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete and other Ijaws in the oil industry.Markets and shops were closed yesterday in Ijaw land, as the youths marched in the over 10 kilometres road in honour of the fallen hero.

“Nigeria today is being built by the resources of the Niger Delta. It is our resources that were used in building Lagos and Abuja. Yet they claim that we are not good enough to be part and parcel of the oil and gas sector. “We are calling on the Federal Government to relocate the Federal Capital City (FCT) to either Bayelsa or Rivers State.