● Okaba Urges Diaspora to Deepen Commitment to Self-Determination
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global has taken a major step in extending the frontiers of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination with the formal launch of its West African (Ghana) Chapter.
The inauguration, held in Accra on Sunday, August 31, 2025, coincided with the Fellowship Award Ceremony of the INC Global President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, and brought together Ijaw sons and daughters from across the sub-region.
In his address, Professor Okaba traced the history and mandate of the INC, reflecting on its achievements while outlining its new direction. He emphasised the importance of building a structured and vibrant diaspora network to complement ongoing efforts at home. According to him, the Ghana Chapter is both a timely and strategic move to project the Ijaw voice beyond Nigeria’s borders.
To guide the chapter’s early operations, a caretaker committee was set up pending the fulfilment of all constitutional procedures for a formal inauguration.
Professor Okaba, in his keynote speech, clarified that the Ijaw agitation for self-determination is rooted in international law and historical justice. He stressed that it should not be mistaken for secession or rebellion but recognised as a legitimate quest for sovereignty and fairness. He condemned the persistent environmental destruction and economic exploitation in the Niger Delta, citing oil spills, gas flaring, and declining derivation revenues as glaring examples of injustice.
Unveiling a new strategic focus, the INC leader announced that the movement will increasingly shift from seeking attention in Abuja to engaging the global community, through diplomacy, partnerships with international institutions, civil society actors, and human rights advocates.
Addressing the diaspora directly, Professor Okaba urged Ijaw communities across West Africa to:
- Establish functional structures with committees for legal, media, finance, and youth mobilisation.
- Build alliances by engaging civil society, media outlets, and policymakers in host countries.
- Use digital platforms to tell the Ijaw story and drive global advocacy.
- Contribute skills, networks, and international visibility to the homeland beyond financial remittances.
- Represent the Ijaw nation with values of courage, peace, hospitality, and resilience; rejecting violence and criminality.
He concluded with a rallying call for unity and sacrifice, stressing that the Ijaw struggle has reached a decisive turning point.
“We are not victims; we are a resilient nation rising to claim our destiny. The Ijaw nation expects every one of you to do your duty,” he declared.
The Accra inauguration is expected to serve as a critical platform for advocacy, solidarity, and international engagement, as the Ijaw nation expands its global voice.
