At last, Oweilaemi confirmed IYC President

• Deliver Ijaw nation from injustices, Justice Tabai urges new executives

Controversy surrounding who is the authentic president of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, was put to rest yesterday as Barrister Oweilaemi Pereotubo was formerly inuagurated as the 7th president of the Council.

The IYC was rocked with leadership crisis following an outcome of two different conventions held at Burutu, Delta State, and Okirika, Rivers State respectively, which produced two different executives led by Barrister Eric Omare in one camp and Barrister Oweilaemi Pereotubo in another camp.

Oweilaemi was however sweared in late last month in Abuja by Chief Edwin Clark, a foremost Ijaw leader, after a committee set up by Bayelsa State governor to resolved the leadership crisis recommended the Oweilaemi led executive as the authentic executive being produced by a unity convention held in Okirika.

The Joshua Fumudoh led committee’s recommendation and Chief Cark’s consequent action was probably doubted by some set of people not until yesterday when the Oweilaemi led executive was formerly handed over the mantle of leadership of the IYC.

The Ijaw House, headquarters of the IYC and other properties were formerly handed over to Barrister Oweilaemi and his executives in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, by Hon. Dressy Dressman, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw Affairs on behalf of His Excellency, Seriake Dickson, the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation.

In his acceptance speech, the 7th elected President of IYC, Barrister Oweilaemi thanked God, the governor of Bayelsa State and other Ijaw elders for putting to rest the impasse in the IYC.

The number one youth in Ijaw nation said it was high time all put their grievances aside and work together for the betterment of the Ijaw nation.

He added that his doors of leadership is opened to everyone for dialogue in as much as it is for the progress of the Ijaw nation, adding that he is willing to partner with all stakeholders to develop the Niger Delta region.

Barrister Oweiaemi said he was poised in asking the place of the Ijaw nation in nation’s affairs, as he vowed to protect interest of of the Ijaw nation no matter what the situation may be.

According to the IYC President, under his watch, the era of intimidating Ijaws either old or young has come to an end, stressing that the Ijaw agenda he would continue to propagate even before the Federal Government and the international community.

Giving his remarks at the event, pioneer president of the IYC, and now Special Adviser to Bayelsa State governor on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuduolo urged all agrieved members to come together and work with the new executives in order to move the Ijaw nation forward.

Dr. Tuduolo warned that IYC is not a political parties but formable body formed to chart the Ijaw course, hence it must not be politicized.

The pioneer president of the IYC thanked Governor Dickson for resolving the crisis and doing same in the Ijaw National Congress, INC.

Also giving remarks, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice F. F. Tabai charged the the new executives to deliver the Ijaw nation from the injustices done her by the government.

Justice Tabai lamented that injustice has been inflicted on the Ijaw nation despite producing the golden egg for the nation.

He further stressed that the Ijaws have been unfairly treated by the government even in the federal character, hence the IYC must stopped this.

The retired Justice of the Supreme Court who urged the IYC not to employ violence but other means in delivering the Ijaw nation also warned that if the IYC failed on its course the generation unborn of the Ijaw nation would suffer the present injustice done her.

The handover was attended by government officials, past executives of the IYC, IYC executives and members from Western, Eastern, Central, Lagos and Abuja zones, women, youths from different parts of the Ijaw nation and others.

Izon musician, Alfred Izonebi and his team later entertained guests at the reception with melodious Izon music.

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