Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has again called on people of Ijaw extraction across the country to shun clannish and partisan differences to pursue the collective interest of the Ijaw nation.
Governor Diri renewed the call on Saturday while speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony in honour of Late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Governor reminded the Ijaws and all those we believe in the ideals of Boro, that mere speeches and processions on Boro Days could not actualise the vision and plans the Kaiama-born freedom fighter had for the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta region.
He said, “The greatest tribute we can pay to Major Adaka Boro is not in the wreaths we lay, however beautiful; nor in the speeches we deliver, however eloquent. It is not even in the processions we embark upon.
“It is in the unity we forge, the peace we keep, and the prosperity we build for generations yet unborn.
“So let us be united. Let us put clan, creek and party aside, and remember that we are first and foremost the children of one ancestor …and the custodians of one heritage.
“A divided Ijaw nation cannot finish the work Boro began. But a united Ijaw nation cannot be denied its rightful place in the Nigerian Federation.
“Distinguished Compatriots, the struggle Boro began has not been in vain. Today, Bayelsa State stands as living proof that the seed he planted with his blood has germinated.
“Out of the Niger Delta Volunteer Service has grown a State, a people and a voice that is confident, organised and constitutionally recognised.”
While paying glowing tributes to Late Major Isaac Boro, his compatriots in the 12th Day Revolution and other patriotic Ijaw sons and daughters for fighting against oppression and marginalisation, Governor Diri stressed the need for stronger unity and cooperation amongst the people to achieve a better Ijaw nation.
The Bayelsa helmsman equally thanked the traditional rulers and elders for providing fatherly guidance, and urged the youths to embrace education and skills acquisition for them to be relevant in the scheme of things and make a positive impact in society as Adaka Boro did.
He commended the youths for being peaceful throughout their Boro Day processions, and advised them to sustain the reasonable gesture in subsequent celebrations, pointing out that destruction of public infrastructure and perpetration of criminal activities under the pretext of celebrating Boro would not advance the Ijaw struggle.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomor, highlighted the importance of Boro Day, noting that the celebration will continue to provide Ijaw people an opportunity to honour the memory of the Late Major Adaka Boro and other freedom fighters who paid the supreme price with their lives for the Ijaw nation.
Chief Oporomor, who commended the state government for supporting the yearly celebration, added that Boro Day will not only enable upcoming children and youths to learn of the heroic exploits of their departed leaders but also inspire them to pursue the Ijaw struggle with better understanding and determination.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, noted that although the Ijaw nation is relevant to the Nigerian Federation in terms of its God-given natural resources, the fourth largest ethnic group is yet to have a fair share of its rights and opportunities in the country.
King Dakolo, who is also the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, however, insisted that the Ijaw nation can only attain a pride of place among the comity of ethnic nationalities, if Ijaw sons and daughters speak, act and work together for the common good of their land.
The high point of the event was the laying of wreaths at the tomb of Late Major Adaka Boro by the Governor represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dakolo, a representative of the Boro Family, Madam Esther Boro, representatives of the Ijaw Youth Council and the Nigerian Legion, Bayelsa State Council, among other groups and individuals.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Acting Chief of Staff to Governor Diri, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, traditional rulers including the Ebenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Joshua Igbugburu, among other notable personalities attended the wreath-laying ceremony.
