By Samuel Oyadongha

YENAGOA— IJAW leaders, weekend, converged on Yenagoa, the Jerusalem of Ijaw nation and capital of Bayelsa State, to chart a new course for the beleaguered Ijaw National Congress, INC, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Izon (Ijaw) ethnic nationality found in the six states of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

Gov Dickson

The INC formed in 1991 to promote Ijaw unity and consciousness and adopt a co-ordinated, centralized and united approach to finding solutions to Ijaw problems, had over the years, since the death of its former president, Senator Tari Sekibo, been locked in a consuming leadership crisis

However, the weekend meeting held at the Creek Haven, the Bayelsa Government seat of power, at the instance of the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, a one-time INC legal adviser, was seeking the support of the leaders of thought in Ijaw nation  in resolving issues, affecting the Ijaw ethnic nationality, especially the INC.

INRC to the rescue

Accordingly a 20 member committee, tagged Ijaw National Reconciliation Committee, INRC, has been inaugurated by the governor to settle the rift tearing apart the ethnic group.

Dickson pointedly asserted: “All is not well,” as the conflicts and disagreements arising from individual interests had led to the polarization of the Ijaw nation.

His words: “A number of things are not right about us, about our zone and also the contradiction in our nation. And in all of these our peopleý must develop a coherent approach as to how we can resolve these issues and move forward. Interestingly, you all are not new to these challenges. All of you have been saddled in one form or the other and always to protect the Ijaw national interest.”

Dickson admitted that disagreements are normal within a family or organization, but the end point must be to arrive at an acceptable place and position that will satisfy the yearnings of all parties.

2-week provisional target

For the INC, he lamented the lingering leadership crisis which he said has weakened the agitation of the Ijaw nation using the platform, charged the committee to work with the six terms of reference to plan a way forward. Dickson, who gave the elders and leaders a two- week provisional time to come up with a working document, said they can replicate same in the INC and the Ijaw nation at large.

The governor expressed optimism that at the end of the crucial assignment, the Ijaw nation will bounce back and put to shame those who think they will remain in disarray forever. “We may be down, but by the time the leaders will be through with their work, it will be very clear that we were only down but not out,” he declared.

Diete-Spiff leads team

Speaking, chairman of INRC and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff commended the governor for his timely intervention and assured him that they would work to ensure that everyone and group was reconciled. A former deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir G.T.G Toby will serve as deputy chairman while Dr. Felix Tuodolo is the secretary of the committee, which has Gen. John Yeri (retd) and Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff as members.

Other members are a former military administrator of Niger state; Gen. Cletus Emein (retd), Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Prof. Kimse Okoko, Prof. Ayibaemi Spiff, Chief Francis Doukpola, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Prof. Joseph Ajenika, Arch. I.E.I Ette and Mrs Rose Obuoforibo. The rest are Dr. Silas Eneyo, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, Wing Comdr. P.Y Biakpara (retd.), High Chief Francis J. Williams, Prof. Christopher Dimie and Barr. Felicia Ajagu.