EDO IJAWS ARE INDIGENOUS, NOT SETTLERS - IYC PRESIDENT ORDERS 30-DAY FACT-FINDING MISSION
By EgbemaVoice
The newly inaugurated President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, has declared that the Ijaw people of Edo State are aboriginal inhabitants and indigenous owners of their ancestral lands, insisting that they must never be regarded as settlers.
Okotete made the declaration in his inaugural address, a copy of which was obtained by GbaramatuVoice. He also ordered a fact-finding mission to Edo State and placed all organs, affiliates and structures of the Council on alert to defend the political, economic, social and traditional rights of Ijaw communities in the state.
“We reaffirm unequivocally that the Ijaws of Edo State are not settlers. They are aboriginal inhabitants and indigenous owners of their ancestral lands.
“This administration stands firmly with the concerns raised by our foremost leader, HRM King Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, regarding the rights and welfare of the Ijaw people of Gelegele and other Ijaw communities in Edo State.
“Our traditional rulers shall no longer be denied their constitutional, customary and cultural rights.
“To this end, I hereby direct that a fact-finding delegation, jointly chaired by the National Mobilisation Officer and the National Secretary and comprising relevant zonal officers and clan leadership, undertake an assessment mission to Edo State.
“The committee shall submit its report within thirty (30) days.
“Furthermore, all organs, affiliates and structures of the IYC Worldwide are hereby placed on alert and directed to mobilise support towards securing greater political, economic and social inclusion for our people in Edo State and beyond,” Okotete said.
The directive signals the first major intervention of the new IYC administration on the status, recognition and welfare of Ijaw communities in Edo State.
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