The administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, on Thursday, in a tribute to the late Ijaw hero, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, urged Niger Delta youths to shun violence.

The tribute came on the 56th-anniversary celebration of the demise of the late icon of the Ijaw struggle.

In a message to mark this year’s Boro Day in Yenagoa, Mr Otuaro said that Boro was remembered for his vision of ensuring better living standards for the Ijaw people.

He described Boro as a courageous Ijaw freedom fighter who lived a selfless life and promoted the ideals of an egalitarian society.

“Boro believed in the unity, progress and development of Nigeria, where equity and justice will reign. It was for this reason he fought to keep Nigeria as one indivisible nation.

“The commemoration of Boro Day is one of the significant ways of celebrating Boro’s legacy of community service and mutual co-existence,” he said.

The PAP administrator noted that the establishment of the PAP was a response to the agitation by Niger Delta youths whose advocacies were anchored on Boro’s school of thought and principles.

He, therefore, advised Ijaws and other Niger Delta youths to celebrate this year’s Boro Day responsibly while upholding the ideals for which the late icon was being remembered.

The PAP boss said, “Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro is an Ijaw hero and icon of the Ijaw struggle. His 56th anniversary is a commemoration of his bravery and courage.

“Today, many Ijaw and Niger Delta youths are drinking from the fountain of Boro’s struggle which is a worthy legacy bequeathed by him. The Presidential Amnesty Programme was created as a direct response to the intense agitation by Ijaw and indeed Niger Delta youths who were inspired by Boro.

“Therefore, it is imperative that all hands must be on deck to promote peace and stability in the region in order to fully achieve the objectives of the Programme.”

Mr Otuaro urged Ijaw and other Niger Delta youths to shun violence, embrace unity and love one another in the interest of the Ijaw nation.

He also enjoined the Ijaw people to look inward, noting that Boro fought for the unity of a strong, virile Nigerian nation where the Ijaw would have pride.

He explained further that Boro did not engage in acts of disunity and pull-him-down syndrome, which had become the pastime of some youths of today.

The day was celebrated at Ijaw House in Yenagoa with activities such as traditional wrestling contests, essay competitions, and symposiums.

(NAN)