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25/08/2024

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide

Emergency Press Statement

25/08/2024

IYC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, Reject Call For His Redeployment

1. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has passed a vote of confidence on Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, State Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil), described him as a great asset in the Tinubu led Federal Government of Nigeria.

2. After series of meetings among the 9th leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, we reject in its entirety the publication, calling for the redeployment of our revered, purposeful, visionary, seasoned, productive and highly competent leader, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil), who is making Niger Delta and Ijaw nation proud in the Federal Executive Council.

3. This emergency press statement is not just a refutal but a position of the entire Ijaw Youth Council, covering all organs and structures of council in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abuja, Lagos, UK, other chapters in the diaspora and all affiliate bodies of the IYC that such publication calling our respected leader in the Niger Delta region incompetent and heaping the blame on him on the fuel hike and other woes in Nigeria did not emanate from Council as it did not receive the blessings of the Ijaw people.

4. Consequently, the Ijaw Youth Council is using this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all well-meaning Nigerians to completely ignore calls for Heineken Lokpobiri's redeployment. Lokpobiri is competent and doing his job very well. It will be wrong for anyone to have called for his redeployment on the basis of incompetence as there is no minister in Nigeria now that is more competent, resourceful and productive than our articulate and visionary Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.

5. The IYC as a struggle platform established in 1998 was to protect the interest of the Ijaw people at all point in time and not to antagonise and attack the interest of the Ijaws and her respected leaders.

6. It is important to establish that Council has a well carved out channel of communication for which it is essentially the duty of the President and Spokesman of Council that are charged with the responsibility to convey the message of the Ijaw Youth Council to the public after due consultations as the case may be with relevant key stakeholders in Ijaw land.

7. The founding principles of the Ijaw Youth Council forbid the IYC to fight against the interest of Ijaw nation hence we must always stand to defend Ijaw nation and her leaders, even if there are issues, this must be done through discreet means without coming to the public.

8. It does not really tell well to see that out of 45 ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's led Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ijaws only have one minister, which is Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri hence it is totally wrong and condemnable to see an Ijaw son or daughter calling for his redeployment on the basis of incompetence and also blaming the hardship faced by Nigerians on our son who is working hard to make things right for Nigeria, Niger Delta and Ijaw nation.

9. We need to be mindful as no ethnic based youth group in Nigeria has ever come up to ridicule their own ministers or prominent sons in government and otherwise before the public. This caution has become very necessary to prevent future blunders among Ijaw Youths. Our leaders need to be protected, and if erring, they will be corrected indoors as other ethnic groups are doing. Others can not be seen as saints while we paint our own as devils. This has to stop.

10. The IYC will continue to speak and defend Ijaw nation and her people no matter what, hence Council is charging Ijaw Youths to concentrate more in building bridges of unity than creating uncessary distractions that will derail the essence of the struggle for resource control and self determination by any means necessary. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri as State Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil) is a step closer to our resource control agitation, and calling for his redeployment on the basis of incompetence is not in the interest of Ijaw nation.

11. Finally, as Ijaw people, we are not comfortable that we only have one Minister in the Federal Executive Council and we have been fighting and agitating for more political and economic inclusion in the Nigerian State, we cannot fight as Ijaw people to reduce our already disjointed political space in the Nigerian State.

Signed.
Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill
Spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

22/08/2024

SPECIAL APPRECIATION TO GOV SIM FUBARA

It is with sheer delight that I, on behalf of the Ijaw youths all over the world, thank the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Governor Sim Fubara, for providing a beffiting Secretariat Complex for IYC in the Eastern Zone which is a promise kept.

While as a council, we will continue to demonstrate our genuine appreciation to our amiable Governor practically, let me assure that His Excellency's desire to have a more organized, effective, and unified IYC that will ultimately achieve its goals and make a greater impact will be actualised within his tennure.

I am aware of how most of our programs and activities have been incapacitated as a result of having no Secretariat, and i am also aware of how our new Secretariate Complex will henceforth enhance our activities.

So as one who took an oath of office, to promote, protect and project the interests of Ijaw people, let me also assure that this gracious and charitable deed of Governor Fubara, will only strengthen my resolve to contineously mobilise Ijaw youths to support our own, whenever the need arises.

That an Ijaw Governor, was so kind enough to give the IYC an office space in the Eastern Zone, only goes to show that nobody can love us more than ourselves, which again, calls for greater love and unity amongst us.

I want to equally use this medium to remind His Excellency to make a reality the appointment of some genuinely committed stakeholders of the IYC into key offices of responsibility for greater service delivery to Rivers people.

While this overture has invariably nurtured a stakeholders sense of belonging amongst Ijaw youths in Rivers State and Eastern zone in particular, let me assure the Governor that we will make the best use of that secretariat even as we remain indepted to him.

I am gratified to note that, on account of Governor Fubara's exemplary lifestyle, Ijaws have a stronger reason to come together to build solid bridges of cooperation and understanding in the collective interest and well-being of our people.

Signed:

Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri
President,
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

22/08/2024

REJOINDER: IYC ZONES/CHAPTERS CHAIRMEN FORUM CONDEMN THE CALL FOR REDEPLOYMENT OF THE PETROLEUM MINISTER SEN. HEINEKEN LOKPOBIRI.

Urged President Tinubu to Ignore such Mischievous Entities, Defends the Minister of Petroleum, Amid Fuel Crisis.

22 - 08 - 2024

Emanating from an Emergency Meeting of the Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum of the Ijaw Youth Council (I.Y.C) Worldwide, we hereby condemn the call for redeployment of the Petroleum Minister, *Senator Heineken Lokpobiri,* in it's entirety, by four (4) members of the National Executive Council IYC Worldwide.

We, the Chairmen Forum, with this Statement, urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore and disregard such mischievous call, as we refute and fault claims by just four (4) IYC members, that the fuel crisis is solely caused by the incompetence of SEN Heineken Lokpobiri PhD , the Minister of Petroleum.

We must state without mincing words that those claims are born out of excessive greed and pure selfishness.

We must be emphatic with Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not to even think of replacing or moving the Honourable Minister of Petroleum to another Ministry, because he has performed excellently in that Ministry, beyond any reasonable doubt.

The Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum wants those blaming the Petroleum minister for the fuel crisis in the country to know that, the fuel crisis is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to be solved and it is unfair to place the blame solely on the Minister.

The Forum further emphasized that *Hon. Lokpobiri* is a competent Minister with a strong and intimidating track record of public service, who is working tirelessly to improve the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. He has implemented various policies and initiatives to increase local refining capacity, promote investment in the sector, and reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel. These efforts have yielded positive results and will continue to do so in the long run.

However, It is important to note that the Minister has faced various challenges in his role, such as the sabotage of pipelines and illegal oil bunkering, which have contributed to the fuel crisis in the country. yet, he has remained resolute in his commitment to finding lasting solutions to these challenges.

On the backdrop of these realities, the Chairmen Forum of Ijaw Youth Council, strongly refutes the call for redeployment of *Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri* and urges each and everyone in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), to continually support the Minister in his efforts to improve the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. It must be told, yet again, that the fuel crisis in Nigeria is a shared responsibility, and we must all work together to find a lasting solution.

We must nip it in bud that all the allegations and claims by those Four (4) National Officers can not be substantiated, their reasons are misplaced and incoherent to the realities of the Petroleum industry, as they are fabrications from the altar of malice.

The Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum of Council can not fold our arms at any crucial moment and watch some selfish persons who are trying to mayhem the efforts of our Competent Minister. Hence our call on *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu* to be steadfast in his trust for *Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri* as the Petroleum Minister.

Nevertheless, the good works of the Honourable Minister in the Oil industry and beyond speaks volume and as such, he is deserving of good reward, but not ingratitude.

These and more are why we are urging Mr President to continue to have faith in the Petroleum Minister Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri

Having said that, the Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum is also using this medium to advice the President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr to call for an emergency expanded Executives meeting to address the crucial issues at hand and possibly call to order those who are bend on trying to cause unwarranted distraction in Council and by extension, Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta at large.

Signed:

Comrd. Tikima L. Arigban.
Chairman Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum, IYC Worldwide.

Comrd. Perekosufa Ineife.
Secretary Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum, IYC Worldwide.

Comrd. (Hon.) Tamuno Kpokpo.
Member Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum, IYC Worldwide.

Comrd. Emmanuel Deinma.
Member Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum, IYC Worldwide.

Comrd. Nicholas T. Igarama.
Member Zones/Chapters Chairmen Forum, IYC Worldwide.

21/08/2024

The general public is advised to completely disregard the statement mentioned above. It did not originate from the official authorities of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC). Any official press release or statement from the IYC would be communicated directly through either the National Spokesman, Ambassador Binebai Princewill, or the National President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri.

The individuals responsible for the above statement are attempting to sow discord and create unnecessary conflict between the IYC and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil). These misleading claims are not only baseless but are also designed to undermine the positive and cooperative relationship that exists between the IYC and the Ministry.

We, therefore, urge all stakeholders within the Niger Delta Region, as well as concerned citizens across Nigeria, to ignore this false information. It is essential that we stand united and reject any attempts to disrupt the peace and stability of our region.
IYC Matters Worldwide Iyceastern Zoneinfo IYC - The International Yacht Company IYC Crew

17/08/2024

The 9th Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) National President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, Arrives in the UK to Inaugurate the UK IYC Chapter

Accompanying President Jonathan is his chief of staff, Hon Ijonama Mkpom Amon, the Commissioner representing Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomo, whose presence underscores the importance of this event and the government's support for the IYC's initiatives.

This historic event which is scheduled to take place tomorrow 18th August 2024, marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the IYC's global presence and reinforces its commitment to empowering Ijaw youth globally.

During their visit, President Jonathan and the Commissioner are expected to engage with members of the Ijaw community in the UK, to discuss key issues affecting the Ijaw people, and outline possible ways to solve them.

17/08/2024

IYC PRESIDENT CONDOLES WITH VICTIMS OF BOAT MISHAP..Calls on security agents to be strict in enforcing new maritime rules in the State.

The President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, has sent a message of condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated boat that caught fire and sank in the middle of the river in Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw LGA.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Tari Agai, Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, said the avoidable incident in this very hard time, will not only cause serious pains and agony to the bereaved families, but also economic strain to those hinterland communities in Southern Ijaw LGA, the entire State and beyond, as those locally made wooden boats, remain the major conveyor belts that transport farm produce and other comodities to and fro our markets.

Lokpobiri, however advised the berieved families, to be strong in the face of these trying times, saying he believes this long night of grief will be over.

While commending the Bayelsa State Govt for the new safety rules for local wooden boats operators, the IYC President, who also advised them to always have fire extinguishers in their boats and a fireman amongst their crew, used the oportunity to call on the Maritime Union, the marine department of Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Navy and other relivant agencies to be very strict in the enforcement of these rules in order to avert similar occurence in the future.

Jonathan Lokpobiri, also call on IYC structures at the Clan levels to always beam their searchlights on the creeks and report any boat operating outside the rules, to security agents.

He particularly thanked the Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Hon. Target Segibo, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and all others who participated in the search and rescue operation that successfully led to the recovery of the remains of the victims, saying their efforts are commendable.

16/08/2024