𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱'---𝗘𝗱𝗼 𝗜𝗷𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝗷𝗮𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗜𝗬𝗖) 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 30-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

By NigerDelta Voice,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮

The long-standing grievances of Ijaw communities in Edo State over alleged political, economic and social marginalisation have taken a new turn as the newly inaugurated President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, has constituted a special fact-finding panel to investigate the complaints.

The committee, which was announced during Dr. Okotete's inaugural address, has been given 30 days to engage stakeholders, visit affected communities, document evidence and submit recommendations to the IYC leadership.

The intervention follows renewed protests and public outcries by Edo Ijaws, who allege that despite being indigenous inhabitants of their ancestral coastal communities, they have continued to suffer discrimination, exclusion and neglect in the affairs of Edo State.

Community leaders, youths and advocacy groups have repeatedly maintained that Edo Ijaws are not settlers but aboriginal inhabitants whose constitutional rights and ancestral heritage deserve recognition and protection.

Across various public engagements and social media platforms, many Edo Ijaws have expressed deep frustration over what they describe as decades of exclusion from political appointments, infrastructure development, employment opportunities and other government benefits.

One of the recurring messages shared by community members reads: "We are being treated like slaves in our own ancestral land. We are not settlers but indigenous people whose rights must be respected."

The aggrieved communities are also demanding greater political inclusion, improved infrastructure, equitable distribution of government projects and recognition of their ancestral communities, insisting that years of perceived neglect have continued to widen the development gap between their communities and other parts of the state.

Responding to the concerns, Dr. Okotete reaffirmed the IYC's commitment to defending the rights, dignity and welfare of Ijaw people across Nigeria, stating that the Council would objectively investigate the allegations before taking further action.

According to him, the fact-finding panel will consult community leaders, youths, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders with a view to producing a comprehensive report that will guide the Council's engagement with the appropriate authorities.

The IYC President stressed that the investigation is aimed at promoting justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence while ensuring that the legitimate concerns of Edo Ijaws receive the attention they deserve.

The decision has been welcomed by many stakeholders across Ijaw communities, who described the intervention as a timely step toward addressing issues they say have persisted for several decades.

Political observers believe the outcome of the committee's assignment could provide a framework for constructive dialogue between the Ijaw Youth Council, the Edo State Government and other relevant institutions on issues relating to equity, representation and sustainable development in Edo Ijaw communities.

Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete was inaugurated as President of the 10th National Executive Council of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide with a pledge to strengthen unity, protect the rights of Ijaw people and champion inclusive development across all Ijaw communities.