The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body set up to shield all Ijaw people worldwide, was formed in the year 1991 by three illustrious sons of Ijaw nation, namely High Chief (Dr) Harold Dappa-Biriye, Chief F.H.E. Brisibe and Chief George A. Weikezi, who saw the yearning need for the formation of a distinct unifying umbrella body that would pilot the affairs and activities of Ijaw people worldwide, as well as speak for, and attract the attention of the Nigerian government to the plights, yearnings and aspirations of Ijaw people at a time the Ijaw people were uncertain about how to tackle the daunting challenges facing the people. Especially the entrenched system of conscious subjugation of the Ijaw people and other minority groups by the three major tribes.
The INC upon its formation had a major distinct characteristic that clearly differentiated it from other already existing Ijaw groups, as it didn’t only offer a platform for the agitation and well-being of Ijaws, but was unable to unite all Ijaws under one united roof.
Through the formation of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) the Arogbo Ijaws in Ondo State and Ibeno Ijaws in Akwa Ibom State were able to come together with their Furupagha in Edo state and Gbaramatu brothers in Delta, Kalabari in Rivers and Apoi in Bayelsa State to chat a common united cause which before then was not so.
Prior to the formation of the INC each of the pressure groups in the Ijaw nation worked distinctly, a development that never really helped the Ijaws in their bid to get rid of their continuous exploitation and dehumanization by the other three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Thus the need for a unifying body propelled the founding fathers of INC, High Chief (Dr) Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief George A. Weikezi to co-ordinate other illustrious sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation especially those who were resident in Lagos State to form a body that will be the mouthpiece of the Ijaws.
The meeting was initially under the umbrella of Ijaw People Union (Lagos Chapter). Because of the overwhelming importance of this unifying body, they held the final meetings that gave birth to the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on 25th, 29th and 30th of October, 1991 at No. 29 Calcutta Crescent, Apapa-Lagos, which was the residence of Chief George A. Weikezi. The noble body was finally formed on the 30th October, 1991 after the detail structuring of the new body was duly worked out.
The aims and objective of the INC, therefore, include;
1. To adopt a co-ordinated, centralized and united approach to finding solutions to Ijaw problems.
2. To work for Ijaw unity and promote national (Ijaw) consciousness.
3. To create a forum for all Ijaw people to meet to discuss the plight of the Ijaw man in Nigeria.
4. To familiarize the Ijaw people with the problems of the various Ijaw zones.
After the formation of the INC, the founding fathers and other elites of the Ijaw nation saw the need for the meeting of All-Ijaw People worldwide. This led to the All Ijaw National Convention that was held at Patani in Delta State on the 23rd November, 1991.
Two major successes of the Patani Convention was the selection of Prof. C.A. Dimie as the leader of the Co-ordinating Committee, while P.Z. Aginighan was made his Secretary and the Communique that was drafted after the convention the following resolutions were reached;
(a) The demand made on the Federal Military Government to create homogeneous Ijaw states and local government areas in the Ijaw country; in the firm conviction that the Ijaw question was more political than economic and could only be solved by situating political power in Ijaw land so that the Ijaws could solve these problems by themselves; and
(b) The constitution of a committee later to be known as the Ijaw National Co-ordinating Committee (INCC) which was mandated to “examine various issues raised which affect collective Ijaw interest in the Nigerian Federation” and to be the eye of the Ijaws in the affairs of the nation.
The successes of the Patani 1991 Ijaw National Convention opened a new chapter in the history of the Ijaw people, who automatically began to speak with one voice under the guide of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
The first duly elected officers of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) emerged at the INC Convention at Port Harcourt on the 12th January, 1995 with the following;
1. Mr. Joshua B. Fumudoh – President
2. Dr. Dinma Denni-Fiberesima – Vice President
3. Chief Francis J. Williams – National Secretary
4. Mr. Erastus U. Patrick – National Asst. Secretary
5. Chief M.Y. Waritimi – National Treasurer
6. Mr. Eric Senibo – National Publicity Secretary
7. Mr. A.E. Esete – National Asst. Publicity Secretary
8. Mr. Douye Diri – National Organising Secretary
9. Mr. Godspower T. Oporomo – National Asst. Org. Secretary
10. Mr. Pius Uromi-Owu
11. Hon. J.L.O. Dagogo – National Legal Adviser
12. Dr. M.P. Okonny – National Auditor
It will be interesting to note that it was at the Port Harcourt 1995 Convention where the INC got her pioneer duly elected Executive that the people of Ijaw nation equally demanded for the creation of three homogeneous Ijaw states, the second item in their Communique stated as follows;
Following the setting up of the State Creation, Local Government Boundary Adjustment Committee and the request for submission of memoranda, the INC responded by submitting an Ijaw National Memorandum dated January, 1996 demanding for the creation of three homogeneous Ijaw states, namely, Toru-Ibe, Oil Rivers and Bayelsa States with corresponding Local Government Areas and adjustment of boundaries such that Eastern Andoni could be excised from Akwa Ibom State and merged with their kith and kin in the proposed Oil Rivers; the Ijaws in the former Ekenwan, Ofunama and Siluko districts be excised from Edo State and merged with their kith and kin in the proposed Toru-Ibe state and Arogbo-Ijaws, Apoi-Ijaws and Furupagha Ijaws of Ondo State be excised and merged with their kith and kin in the proposed Toru-Ibe. The subsequent creation of Bayelsa State was one great landmark achievements in the Struggle of the INC for self-determination and control of resource.
The outstanding domestic achievements of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) actually led to the establishment of her chapter in the United States of America and Great Britain in 1998. This development really helped in publicizing the Ijaw struggle internationally. The Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas, the Ijaw Peoples Association (IPA) and the Federated Ijaw Communities of Great Britain and Ireland (FEDICOM) really helped the Ijaws in this wise.
After the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the second National Convention to elect democratically elected Executive took place on the 19th September, 2000 at the Bayelsa State Sports Complex-Yenagoa saw the emergence of the following;
1. Prof. Kimse Okoko – President
2. Hon. Wing Commander P. Biakpara – Vice President
3. Dr. S.A. Bobo-Jama – National Secretary
4. Sir S.H. Wilson-Allison – Treasurer
5. Mr. Erastus U. Patrick – Organising Secretary
6. Chief Senibo E. Princewill – Publicity Secretary
7. Barr. Henry Seriake Dickson – Legal Adviser
8. Chief H.H. Krukrubo – Financial Secretary
9. Comrade Cletus Monie Ozeke – Auditor
10. Hon. (Mrs) Marie Ebikake – Asst. Org. Secretary
The Prof. Kimse Okoko, 2000 – 2005 led leadership recorded tremendous successes that are worthy mentioning below.
They include;
1. The Executive was able to organise the first Ijaw National Day Celebration and a World-Summit with the theme “The Ijaw Ethnic Nationality and the Nigerian State” which was organised at the Multipurpose Hall of the Bayelsa State Sports Complex, Yenagoa between 23rd to 25th February, 2005.
2. The Executive organised the first Pan Ijaw Conference with the theme “The Ijaw Nation; Forging a Common Destiny”. It was held at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
3. The Executive was able to produce an authentic Map of the Ijaw nation with their territories clearly demarcated.
4. The Executive was able to constitute for the first time in her history of existence, thirteen (13) statutory committees.
5. The Executive initiated the composition of the Ijaw National Anthem under the aegis of the late Dr. Adams Fibresima, Dr. Gabriel Okara (now a late professor) and Mr. David Suowari (who is now an Academic Doctor).
6. The Executive also reconstituted the National Representative Council (NRC) of the body with Dr. T.A.T. Allison as leader and General Cletus Emein (Rtd.) as the Deputy.
7. The Executive strongly supported the first Struggle of the Ijaws in Warri, Delta State.
8. The Executive undertook resolution of several crises that engulfed the people of the Ijaw nation in different areas. Some of the crises we’re intra while others were between the Ijaws and their neighbours.
9. The Executive acted in line with the body’s policy of strengthening their border areas which according to them constituted their weakest links, they convened a National Representative Council (NRC) meeting which was held in Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State in 2004 including visits to several Ijaw communities in Toru-Ibe in Edo State.
The Third National Electoral Convention saw the re-election of Prof. Kimse Okoko in 2005 with the following executive members:
2. Chief Chris Ghomorai – Vice President
3. Dr. Atuboyedia Obianime – Secretary
4. Chief J.E. Benamasie – Asst. Secretary
5. Rtd. Navy Capt. Allen Ojujoh – Treasurer
6. Barr. Z. Adango – Legal Adviser
7. Hon. Eva Hart – Financial Secretary
8. Comrade Robinson Ogunkoru – Organising Secretary
9. Deacon Welson Ekiyor – Publicity Secretary
10. Mr. Theo Ezonfade – Asst. Publicity Secretary
11. Mr. Mina Ibitamuno – Asst. Org. Secretary
12. Mr. Nalaguo C. Alagoa – Auditor
In the second tenure of the Prof. Kimse Okoko led Leadership the Ijaw National Congress (INC), he consolidated on his previous achievements and equally made other outstanding ones that can never be skipped here. They include;
1. The Executives were able to organise the second Ijaw World Summit which was followed by the 2nd Ijaw National Day Celebration in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
2. The Executive was able to mobilize the Ijaw people to organise the first and second Ijaw National Wrestling Championship in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
3. The Executive of the INC played a major role in the mass mobilization of all Ijaws for the 2005 Census exercise which was acclaimed as a huge success.
4. For the first time, the Ijaws under the aegis of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) were recognised as one of the major ethnic nationalities along with Afenifere (Yoruba), Ohaneze Ndigbo (Igbo) and Arewa (Hausa) and was accorded it’s rightful place by Meeting with Mr. President; His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR). Based on the above, some leaders of the Ijaw nation were invited to represent the Ijaw nation as the fourth (4th) largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria to the National Political Reform Conference.
5. Closely allied with the above, the Ijaw language has now been recognised as one of the major languages to be taught in Nigerian Secondary Schools and examined at the West African Examination (WAEC).
6. The initiation and the subsequent construction of the Ijaw House (INC Headquarters) in Yenagoa in 2005 under Governor D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Ph.D JP.
7. The Ijaw History Project commenced again under Governor D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha in 2005. It was chaired by an eminent Ijaw Historian, Prof. E.J. Alagoa.
8. The most strategic achievement of the executive is the establishment of INC structures in all the clans of the Ijaw nation and the inauguration of the additional chapters in the two strategic centres in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja).
9. Through its activities, the INC became a household word and name and the authentic voice of the Ijaw people both national and internationally.
10. The INC was seriously involved in the Voters Registration Review Exercise with the active support of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who was the then Executive Governor of Bayelsa State.
11. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Prof. Kimse Okoko showed a very great concern for it’s young wing: the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) especially in resolving some internal crises that engulfed the Council.
12. The Executive also embarked on a serial publication of the activities of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
The second tenure of Prof. Kimse Okoko also recorded enormous successes, but above all, it was able to conduct a very credible election that ushered in an embodiment of vibrant, competent and very struggle conscious leadership. This unique team was headed by Dr. Atuboyedia Obianime (JP) now a professor who has been in the academic for over three decades.
The election which was conducted on 10th January, 2009 at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Bayelsa State Sports Complex Yenagoa saw the emergence of the following great leaders;
1. Dr. Atuboyedia Obianime (JP) – President
2. Chief Joshua Benamasie – Vice President
3. Chief (Barr.) R.E.O. Esete – National Secretary General
4. Chief Victor D. Awala – Treasurer
5. Theo Ezonfade – Financial Secretary
6. Chief (Barr.) V.B. Bamuza-Mutu – Legal Adviser
7. Hon. Bob Fredrick – National Auditor
8. Pastor Victor Burubo
9. Engr. Charles Ambaiowei – National Organising Secretary
10. Gold V. Ebiere – National Welfare Officer
11. Eneyo Athanasius – National Asst. Secretary.
On the role of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in the creation of Bayelsa State, it can be stated categorically that it was the INC that was the driving force behind the creation of Bayelsa State. Although it worked in synergy and collaboration with the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSEIND) and other pro-Ijaw groups. It was INC that mobilized and also implored different strategies to fight for the creation of a homogeneous Ijaw state for the Ijaws.
The Ijaw National Congress liaised with great sons of the Ijaw nation and some of their friends and colleagues in key positions especially Ijaw senior Military officers who were members of the then Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) under General Sani Abacha and Chief Dan Etete the then Minister of Petroleum to ensure the creation of at least a state for the Ijaw people which actually came to reality on that fateful 1st October, 1996. Admiral Festus B.I. Porbeni the then Minister of Transportation also played a very key role in this wise.
Special tribute to Vice Admiral Victor Karipiri Ombu; former Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Air Marshal Emmanuel Ombu who was Chief of Peration of the Nigerian Airforce from 1995 to 1999. Together with their sibling who was a Major General in the Nigerian Army. These three outstanding illustrious sons of the Ijaw nation from Nembe, Bayelsa State, sacrificed so much for the creation of Bayelsa State. They used their very privileged positions in the Armed Forces and as members of the ruling cartel and elites in the military junta under General Sani Abacha to influence the creation of Bayelsa State.
The INC grew and become the pride of Ijaw people and the vocal voice of the Niger Delta.
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