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Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright
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By EgbemaVoice,
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) recently held an event in Lagos where Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright, the Assistant Secretary General of IYC Worldwide, empowered Ijaw youths by providing them with point-of-sale (POS) machines and starter funds. The event, which took place at Benny Hotel in Festac on August 31, 2024, was part of the celebrations marking Amb Egelu's first anniversary in his role. It featured a symposium, cultural displays, and music, emphasizing the council's commitment to addressing unemployment and promoting economic growth among the Ijaw community.
Amb Egelu highlighted the importance of giving back to the people and stressed that the empowerment initiative is just the beginning, with more phases to follow. IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, commended Amb Egelu's efforts and emphasized the council's focus on goodwill and community service rather than monetary gain. He encouraged unity and diligence among the Ijaw youths, urging them to make the most of the opportunities provided.
The event also featured lectures on human power development and the importance of skills over handouts, with speakers like Comrade Baitei Fukpene and Comrade Godspower Fiyebo Eperete emphasizing the significance of dedication and discipline in business. The event was attended by notable Ijaw figures, including IYC leaders and community elders.
In his address, the host Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright unequivocally stated that the IYC is a pressure group for resource control, stressing the paramount need to give back to the people. He affirmed that this gesture underscores the IYC's commitment, under the leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, to alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged in the Ijaw Nation.
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Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, IYC President
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Amb Egelu clarified that the empowerment initiative specifically targets those who yearn to earn a daily income through legitimate means and create investment opportunities that will bring them tranquillity and peace of mind.
The IYC is an Ijaw revolutionary body, not just for resource control but to make sure the Ijaw ethnic group is being placed as a priority. This event marks my one-year in office with my president. This is a program that will benefit youths like me across all the IYC zones. I want you to know that this is just phase one, as more of these will unfold."
President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support shown to the host, Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright. He emphasized that this strong solidarity serves as a powerful motivation for Amb Egelu to continue contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Ijaw people in Lagos State.
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Amb Egelu Bright With The Beneficiaries
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President Lokpobiri articulated his deep sense of privilege in leading an assembly comprised of adept individuals. He underscored the council's non-monetary orientation, emphasizing its reliance on goodwill to facilitate conscientious and effective service provision
He further said, the council is not a money-making organisation, but relies on goodwill, especially when you serve a people and the people recognise the humble conditions you’re making towards them, they will support you. And with that little privilege, our brother, Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright, has thought it wise to give back to society.
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Comrade Tikima L. Arigban, Chairman, IYC Lagos Chapter |
The President of IYC highlighted that the gesture reflects the Assistant Secretary General's dedication to advancing financial opportunities for young people. He encouraged them to cherish the limited opportunities they have, emphasizing the importance of peace and unity in our country. Furthermore, he admonished the Lagos Chapter to adamantly refrain from undermining fellow Ijaw individuals for the pursuit of financial gain in politics.
“If you are diligent, there is a God available to prosper you. There are people in this country today who have become rich by diligence. Somebody can give you five million Naira, and the next day, you are back in the street if there is no diligence to manage the resources given to you. We are now witnessing in the Ijaw Nation where we fight to pull down ourselves just to benefit from money offered by politicians. We need peace and unity in our country. The council cannot go through a divided house, especially when there is a fair leadership commitment to ensuring harmony amongst us as a people.”
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Elder Regent Youmor
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Comrade Tikima L. Arigban, the Chairman of IYC Lagos Chapter, expressed gratitude to the attendees and commended Amb Egelu for organizing the event. He underscored the role of the Ijaw Youth Council as a pressure group dedicated to upholding traditional culture and safeguarding the interests of the Ijaw Nation. Additionally, he advised the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity provided to them.
The event included impactful lectures on "Human Power Development: A Pathway to a Peaceful and Greater Ijaw Nation," delivered by Comrade Baitei Fukpele. He commended Amb Egelu for empowering Lagos Chapter youth with essential skills they need to succeed rather than handouts, quoting the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
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| Comrade Baitei Fukpene |
Comrade Godspower Fiyebo Eperete, the second speaker and a senior point-of-sales (POS) associate at Perecity Enterprise, who has been mobilising solutions and initiatives to strengthen the capacities of young people in business, emphatically underscored the significance of the code of conduct, dedication, and discipline in the POS business during his presentation to the beneficiaries.
The event was graced by the presence of notable individuals such as Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., IYC President, Prof. D. D. Moro, Comrade Freedom Atigbi, IYC Deputy President, Comrade Ari Fekorigha, IYC Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Victor-Gow Ayebatari, IYC Financial Secretary and Mallam Africa (MC).
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| Comrade Godspower Fiyebo Eperete, |
Also in attendance were Pst Ebitimi Dio-Posibi (Guest of Honour), Comrade Tikima Arigban, Chairman IYC Lagos Chapter, High Chief James A. Stephen, Amananaowei of Ijaw, Ajegunle, Apapa, Elder Regent Youmor (Father of the Day), Elder Asu Beks, renowned maritime journalist, Comrade Anthony Oki, Comrade Owen Naphtali, Mr Barnabas McClint Ebiede and Comrade Pius from IYDA.
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(l-r) High Chief Stephen, Elder Youmor, Sir Lokpobiri, Pst Dio-Posibi
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Elder Asu Beks & Amb Egelu Edise-Emi Bright
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(l-r) Prof Moro, Pst Dio-Posibi, High Chief Stephen, Elder Youmor & Comrd Fukpele
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A Cross Section of Participants
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Guests of Beneficiaries
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(l-r) Comrade Tikima, Comrade Pius, Comrade Oki, Comrade Owen Naphtali
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Barnabas McClint Ebiede & Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr
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Pst Ebitimi Dio-Posibi, INC Chairman, Lagos State
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Comrade Youmor In A Handshake With Sir Lokpobiri
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POS Machines
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Comrade Gabriel Ominijei
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(l-r) Perekeme Odon, Amb Egelu Bright & Lucky-ere Udisi
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Elder Asu Beks, Maritime Journalist
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(l-r) Amb Egelu, Elder Youmor & Sir Lokpobiri Flanked By Admirers
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(l-r) Amb Egelu, Beneficiary & Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri
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| High Chief James A. Stephen, Amananaowei of Ijaw, Ajegunle |
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A Photograph With The IYC National Executives
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Cultural Display
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Prof D. D. Moro FSEAN, FIMPD, Vice Chancellor, CPTEC University, Lome, Togo
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A Group Photograph With The IYC Executives
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IYC Lagos Women's Unit
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| Super MC Mallam Africa |
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Comrade Anthony Oki, Former IYC Assistant National Secretary
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The Team
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Group Photograph With The IYC Executives
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