By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide, has urged the federal government to immortalize the late Niger Delta freedom fighter, Isaac Jasper Boro by naming the Port Harcourt International Airport or any other critical infrastructure after him for his struggles not to go in vain.

Spokesman of IYC Worldwide, Amb Binebai Princewill, who stated this in a statement to mark this year’s Isaac Boro Day with the theme: “Maj Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, Celebrating the Legacy, Rekindling the Struggle,” said considering the sacrifices of Boro, it is now time for the Federal Government to honour Boro as a young man who laid down his life for the nation at the age of 29 years by declaring May 16th every year as public holiday to honour Boro.

He said: “In 1966, Boro established the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, an armed group primarily composed of members of the Ijaw ethnic group, and proclaimed the Niger Delta Republic on the 23rd of February 1966. This declaration led to a conflict with federal forces, lasting twelve days before Boro and his associates were apprehended and charged with treason. They were later granted amnesty by the federal government under General Yakubu Gowon in May 1967, shortly before the Nigerian Civil War.

“However, Boro, after being released from prison by the Federal Government of Nigeria, was one of the unsung champions of the Nigerian civil war; he fought and died for the indivisibility of Nigeria as a nation. He died while fighting and defending our dear nation from disintegration.

“Considering the sacrifices of Boro, it is our call on the Federal Government of Nigeria that it is now time for the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour Boro as a young man who laid down his life for the nation at the age of 29 years. The Federal Government should do well by declaring May 16th every year as public holiday to honour late Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro.

“The IYC is suggesting that the Port Harcourt International Airport be named after Boro, Federal Government Institutions either in Abuja be named after him, it could be major roads within and outside the Niger Delta or other critical facilities in order to immortalise him for his struggles not to go in vain.

“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide is reiterating our call on His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Federal Republic of Nigeria, to reconsider and review the suspension of the Rivers State Governor with a view to lifting the suspension before the six months for Fubara to return back to the Government House.

“While the Bayelsa State Government has been doing a lot in immortalising Boro, we urge the Rivers State Government to do the same as Rivers State was also created to compensate the late Ijaw hero, late Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro.”

The IYC spokesman called on the Ijaw nation to deeply reflect on what Boro fought and died for and always protect themselves in the Nigerian State, regretting that till date the Ijaw nation is still struggling to have a sense of belonging in the Nigerian State despite been a major stakeholder.

He said the IYC is committed and will never be distracted in advocating for a better deal for the Ijaw people.