Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has urged Ijaw youth leaders to prioritise the ethnic group’s interests, unity and peace to enhance accelerated growth and development of the ethnic group. 

Mr Diri made the call when he received the recently inaugurated executive of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) at his country home, Sampou, in Bayelsa.

The governor urged the new IYC leadership to place service to Ijawland above any personal consideration, adding that the ethnic group was looking up to them.

He also advised the IYC to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, patience and tolerance for them to go far, saying they are dealing with a bracket of volatile people.

While explaining the need for the group to remain politically neutral, he urged them to speak up against violence in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The governor said he had given legitimacy to the Lokpobiri-led IYC by receiving them and pledged to support the executive to enable it to succeed.

“First of all, you have to put Ijaw nation before your personal interest. If you put your interest first, you will not succeed. Live up to your oath, and do not be the master,” he said.

He urged them to be the servant in humility, respect and honour.

“Election has been a problem in Ijawland. Some people are threatening to kill in the November 11 governorship election, but I know, as youths, you would not allow it.

”We should all join hands to make the election violence-free. I will not spill blood to remain in office.

“The struggle continues to get other homogeneous Ijaw states. So we must keep the fire burning and work hand in glove with the INC in order to leave worthy legacies,” Mr Diri said. 

Jonathan Lolponiri, the new president of the IYC, said the youth organisation was grateful to Mr Diri for giving the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the IYC a new lease of life. 

The IYC President appealed for land to build a national secretariat for the group and financial support while assuring his executive would not let the Ijaw nation down. 

He lamented that the Ijaws, a minority in five other Niger Delta states apart from Bayelsa, were being marginalised and ill-treated. He appealed to the governor to use his office to intervene.

(NAN)