Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday urged Ijaw youth leaders in the
Niger Delta to close ranks and promote the peace and unity of the Ijaw
nation everywhere.
Hon. Dickson, who spoke when he met with Ijaw youth leaders from
across the Niger Delta , who paid him a solidarity visit, told the
youths that, development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
The youths were also in Government House , Yenagoa, to felicitate with
the governor on the occasion of the first year of his second term as
well as his “ purposeful leadership and development in the state”.
But the governor expressed serious concerns over issues of power
tussle and internal wrangling for positions in the Ijaw National
Congress, INC, and the Ijaw Youth Council IYC, stressing that, he does
not endorse factions for elective positions within the Ijaw ethnic
nationality.
While commending the youth leaders for their solidarity and support
before, during and after the last gubernatorial election in the State,
he noted that, as patriotic Ijaw youths, they came out in defence of
the common interest of the Ijaw people, when it was needed.
“You gave me your support when it was most needed for the sake of the
Ijaw nation, to defend it at a very critical period”, the governor
said.
On reports that he had ceded a portion of land to herdsmen for
grazing, Governor Dickson described the rumour as the handiwork of his
detractors, who he said are afraid of his rising profile and trying to
incite Bayelsans against him and the herdsmen.
He said: “I will not allow herdsmen to have clashes with our farmers
in the state, and that is why government has taken a proactive step to
provide a grazing area; the Bayelsa palm to forestall insecurity.
“Some people are inciting Bayelsans to violence against herdsmen and
fellow Bayelsans. After now, government will arrest any herdsmen
found with cattle in our communities. The action of government is in
the best interest of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation”.
In his remarks, the State commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National
Affairs, Mr. Austin Dressman commended the youth leaders for their
solidarity visit, noting that, Governor Dickson’s love for the Ijaw
nation was unflinching.
Spokesman for the youths, Mr. Fred Brisibe congratulated Governor
Dickson on his achievements, describing them as phenomenal.
He urged other Niger Delta governors to emulate the restoration
government in Bayelsa.
Also in attendance at the meeting were youth leaders from Rivers,
Delta, Ondo and Edo States, who all spoke glowingly of the
developmental strides of the Dickson-led administration.