The 5th Pre-Summit Conference consultative meeting ahead of Pan-Ijaw economic summit 2024 has been held in Warri ,Delta State.
President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba revealed that the Pre-Summit Conference was organised by Azaiki foundation to Garner more input that will guide deliberation in the maiden Pan-Ijaw economic summit.
President INC
The President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba in His opening remarks during the interactive session of the 5th Pre-Summit Conference consultative meeting stated that the Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit would provide a platform to chart new ways towards uniting Ijaws for practical solutions to the environmental and economic problems.
He said it was vital to join hands to address the lingering problems of environmental degradation,lack of infrastructure and economic underdevelopment in Ijaw nation which make up a large part of the Niger Delta region.
Professor Okaba said while other major ethnic groups and regions already have blueprints for their economic progress, and any eventual break-up of the Nigerian State, Ijaw the main producer of oil and gas revenues, appeared less organised for self-determination, thus could be taking unaware.
He however noted that The INC the Ijaws were at the moment not talking about breaking away from Nigeria.
He disclosed that the INC under his leadership has prepared a comprehensive map for Ijaw territories.
For his part the convener, Professor Steve Azaiki, represented by Dr. Godric Deinduomo, said the theme of the main summit “Environmental Regeneration and Economic sustainability was apt and well selected to uplift the ijaw nation and attract more progress to the land .
The convener expressed hope for feasible outcomes from the summit, considering the enthusiasm shown by stakeholders during the consultative forums held at Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Yenagoa.
Representatives of various ijaw groups, communities and professionals including the chairman of Burutu local Government, Chief Julius Takeme, Mrs Konboye Foh, Mr Joel Ebisina, Dr Paul Bebenimibo amongst others appreciated the convener of the Pre-Summit Conference Professor Steve Azaiki.
They appealed that the summit should not end up like some other summits held in the past where issues stated were not implemented.
The participants suggested ways to improve the economic well being of the ijaw people as producers of large quantity of the Nation’s wealth.
