In a brief address on the occasion of the celebration of the 57th Boro Day Anniversary marked on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, listed out the achievements of the Congress and its plans to solidify its gains while calling for solidarity in the Ijaw Nation towards the achievement of its brighter future. Excerpts:

Fellow leaders and distinguished sons and daughters of Ijaw Nation.

Today, we commemorate the 57th anniversary of the demise of Major Isaac Adaka Boro, our hero of uncommon courage, content and capacity, who fought for the rights and freedom of our people and the unity and stability of the Nigerian nation. As we honour his enduring legacy, we must reflect on the struggles of self-determination we have faced, the progress we have made so far, and strategize for a better and more productive future.

The Ijaw National Congress remains committed to redefining and defending our collective interests and advancing our cause for freedom, justice, equity and prosperity of our people. We have taken a firm stance on issues affecting our people, in their various communities across zones, kingdoms, clans and chapters, through constructive engagement with critical stakeholders at regional, national and international levels and fora.

We remain resolute on addressing the critical matters of resource justice, political and socio-economic inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. We remain committed to defending our own land and people, as demonstrated in our actions against the recent obnoxious remapping exercises in Akwa-Ibom and Ondo States, rejection of the PIA and other repressive and exploitative resource laws, demand for two additional homogenous Ijaw states, and increase in LGAs for Bayelsa State from 8 to 33.

We stand in solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his administration. Any step we took in the recent political crisis in Rivers State is genuine, timely and justifiable.

We also applaud the developmental strides of the Governor of Bayelsa State in all facets, and encourage him not to relent in his impressive efforts to unite and unify the Ijaw Nation.

Your Excellency, you will recall that, at the last anniversary, we presented the digitalized map of Ijaw Nation, which has also been submitted to the United Nations as part of the application to be registered as a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and other related human and environmental rights agencies. We consider it imperative to request that, as part of the ‘Rescue Izon Language from Extinction’ project, the Izon language should be made an examinable subject at the primary and JSS levels, and equally call for the enforcement of the traditional dress code in all offices (public and private) on Fridays in Ijaw land.

Efforts have reached appreciable levels to have an Association of Chairmen of Local Governments of Ijaw extraction, and also the Association of Assembly Members of Ijaw extraction. The Ijaw National Congress would need your assistance in bringing these laudable projects to fruition.

Our struggle continues, and we are committed to uniting the Ijaw people and advancing our identity that doubles as our pride and strength.

As we celebrate Boro Day 2025, we draw inspiration from his courage and selflessness. We recommit to building a better future for ourselves and future generations. We urge our youth, in particular, to shun violence and all forms of criminality, and embrace unity, love, mutual respect, dignity in labour and integrity. These were the catchwords and ideals advanced by our great, iconic and titanic hero. These are worthy of emulation by all friends and lovers of Ijaw Nation.

Let us work together to build a brighter future for the Ijaw nation. May the legacy of Major Boro continue to guide and inspire us.

Thanks for your audience.

Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global

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