The Ninth National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress was inaugurated recently in Warri, Delta State with stakeholders canvassing for creation of additional states and local government councils out of the present Bayelsa state. Adedayo Akinwale reports.
It is an historical fact that the southern and northern protectorate of Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914 by Lord Frederick Lugard. In spite of the fusion of the country which happened 112 years ago, it is not unusual to see social political organisations peculiar to some ethnic nationalities advancing their interests through various social-cultural organisations in the Nigeria political scene.
For instance, there is Northern Elders Forum (NEF) — established to protect the interests of the North, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) — also berthed to champion the interests of Yoruba people; Ohaneze Ndigbo — came into being to advocate for the interests of the Igbos and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) — to advance and protects the interests of the Ijaw nation.
The Ijaw people, also known as the Izon are an indigenous ethnic group numbering over 15 million, predominantly inhabiting the riverine Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Ijaw is regarded as the fourth or fifth largest ethnic group in the country
