By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

YENAGOA -AS part of efforts to stem acrimony and contention amongst its fold, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide,over the weekend, held its national convention to kick start the review of its constitution which was enacted following the famous “Kaiama Declaration” in 1996.

The convention which had as its theme: “Sustainable Drive and Self Determination for our Development,” was held in Odi Town in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and had in attendance former IYC presidents, youth leaders, zonal leaders, clan leaders, government functionaries, lawmakers and other organs of the apex Ijaw youth body.

Declaring the convention open, the President of the ninth National Executive Council, NEC, IYC Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, said described the convention as both timely and critical for the future of Ijaw people, noted that the exercise was aimed at doing justice to issues that confronts the common and collective growth of the body, which seeks to some times cause acrimony amongst members.

Lokpobiri said: “As we sit together today, we are not merely participants in a convention; we are stewards of a movement that has endured for generations. We are the ones who, through our actions, will shape the path forward for our people, ensuring that the struggles we face today will pave the way for a stronger and more unified Ijaw Nation.

“We are going to do justice to our issues, issues that confronts our common growth as Council, which seeks to some times cause acrimony amongst brothers. As we begin this deliberations I want to humbly appeal that we put the Interest of Ijaw Nation at the fore front. Let our engagement here today be bounded by brotherly love so that we can chat a new cause of history for ourselves and most importantly for Council.

“As we engage today, let us keep in mind the legacy we are leaving for the generations that will come after us. The decisions and resolutions we make today will lay the foundation for their success, just as the decisions made by our forebears have paved the way for us. We must be mindful of the challenges they will face, and we must ensure that the path we chart today empowers them to build upon the work we have done.”

Also speaking, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Tonye Isenah, appealed to the youths to be peaceful and united at all times and eschew all forms of violent tendencies capable of discrediting the body and bringing the Ijaw nation into disrepute.