By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

A former President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has urged the Ijaw ethnic nationality to prioritize peace building, dialogue and constructive engagements with the federal government, oil companies, and civil society as they are key to lasting peace and mutual development.

He said though the prospect for the future of Ijaw nation looks good, however, he pointed out that the people will require a broad review of their emotional and psychological state through a reorientation of the people.

Obianime, a retired professor of pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Port Harcourt, stated this in a paper presentation titled: “Ijaw Struggle for Self Determination: Challenges, New Frontiers and Prospects,”during a Public Lecture organized to mark the 2025 Isaac Boro Day celebration in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

He stressed the need for the Ijaw nation to pursue and promote environmental and social justice, as well as corporate and environmental responsibility, adding that existing lawsuite and social campaigns should be used for the development of the people and the region.

Obianime, who is also a former Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State lamented that politics and the allure of monetary gains and their supposed benefits have disunited the people, regretting that “there is no more Ijawness in our people daily operations, rather than ljaw, we talk along party lines (PDP VS APC).”

His words: “We must change the erroneous narrative by people who mean us no good and present us as aliens, senseless agitators or militants, not as educated people seeking their rights, justice and fairness.

” The build-up to 2027 is more important than the Ijaw National and ancestral interest. Peace building, Dialogue and constructive engagement between the Ijaw nation, the federal government, oil companies, and civil society are key to lasting peace and mutual development.

“The Ijaws as an ethnic nationality must take action, their cause must be given the needed global outlook. Our message must be well packaged and placed on the front burners of international human rights platforms, environmental courts, and policy institutions.

“Our youths are our future and empowering them with the right information via formal and non-formal education, global exposure and leadership training will sustain the desire for a better future keep alive the struggle and secure the dream.

“We must begin to learn to accommodate and network our interests. We must purposefully go out to make new friends, establish new relationships and begin a new phase of what I consider a high-powered PR activity.

“The new frontiers are not about bullets and guns, it is about brains and brawns. The Ijaws must rise above petty educational pursuits but seek education that is liberating and fair. Therefore brethren, if we must establish the concept of fairness and justice as it concerns the ljaws people, we must also preach it as a national ethos because injury to one is an injury to all.”

While acknowledging some challenges, he said, theater and the complexities/complexion of the war or survival in the Nigerian political space have changed, noting that the physical environment has changed due to environmental degradation and toxicity.

“The human resource to carry on the struggle has changed,poverty is endemic, diseases are on the rise, and quality education of our youths is lacking. The struggle promoters are now contractors to the people who steal the oil resources and have left the creeks to their newfound mansions in the hills of Abuja and other choice locations.

“There are now discordant voices and a lack of unity in our budding politics.The generality of the people did not see what was achieved and their total feeling was that of dejection.The enemy itself had regrouped, deploying heavy and sophisticated artilleries and naval power in the creeks.The military configuration in the theater of war has changed, he added.

In his remark, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said, the younger generations should emulate what Issac Adaka Boro stood for during his lifetime, noting that Boro struggle contributed to the creations of ty old Rivers State and now Bayelsa state too created.

He admonished politicians, youths and all stakeholders in Ijawland to advanced the collective interest above personal interest.