April 18, (THEWILL) – The battle for the various elective positions of the Umbrella body of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has started picking up momentum with various aspirants lobbying and prevailing on clans, zones and key stakeholders in the region.
The Ijaw Youths in the West Senatorial District of Bayelsa State, on Monday, made their position known with a call on the current National Spokesman of IYC, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, to contest for the position of President of the Council in the forthcoming elections.
The Youths, represented by a delegation of key players of IYC, beyond the declaration of support also pledged to purchase the presidential nomination/expression of interest form for the national spokesman.
The convener of the Bayelsa West IYC stakeholders, Elder Eyororokumo Victor, pointed out the decision to back the call for Ekerefe to succeed Deacon Timothy Igbifa as President of the IYC in the 9th session based on the belief that he remains the best aspirant with the passion to fulfil the people’s interests and hope for the region.
He noted that, beyond Ekerefe’s tireless effort in defending the Ijaw nation, he has impacted positively the lives of Ijaw youths as Spokesman of IYC, proving himself a visionary, vocal, dogged, compassionate and selfless leader.
He stated that over eighty youths from Ijaw nation in the first batch of the ICT programme initiated by the Spokesman have gotten laptops as starter packs for them to start life in the information technology (I.T) world and the second batch has commenced for another 100 Ijaw youths to be trained in computer appreciating, programming and coding.
“Ijaw nation needs a trusted and reliable visionary, who feels the pain and anguish of the people and is capable of defending our territories and make life better for our people. We do not have any doubt about Ebilade’s candidature, he is a wordy and listening son of our senatorial district. He has impacted the lives of Ijaw youths through ICT and other programmes initiated by him.
“We are calling on our vibrant, articulate and charismatic son to contest this election, beyond that, we will purchase his nomination form if he eventually accepts our position,” he said.
Also speaking, Comr. Daubiri Ayamah, IYC Oyakiri Clan Representative Two, said Ekerefe is a sound and outspoken mind, who has done marvellously well as Spokesman of IYC Worldwide.
He said, “Beyond defending our region, the ICT training and empowerment programme initiated by Ebilade as spokesman speaks volumes in the region and that has informed the massive desire from the people for him to contest as president of IYC.”
Comr. Godspower Eyitimibai, fmr. IYC Tungbo-Ebe Clan representative and active member of IYC, said the decision from key players of IYC in the senatorial district is a unanimous one because the current Spokesman of IYC has shown capacity and passion in defending the interest of Ijaw people.
Also speaking, Comr. Gigi Oyinebi, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Chairman, said the people of Bayelsa West are supporting their own in the person of Ebilade Ekerefe, who is so vibrant, eloquent, and charismatic in his activities, “we don’t want to promote mediocre, we have seen Ekerefe as someone who can represent Ijaw nation at any level. Beyond that, he is intelligent and has done so much as Spokesman of IYC that is speaking volumes of his achievements and that is why we will purchase his nomination of interest form.
Stakeholders present at the meeting include Comr. Douglas Perekeme, IYC Egbomo Clan Chairman; Comr. Dimene Dennis, IYC Oporomor Clan Chairman; Comr. Kingsley Prezi, IYC Tarakiri Clan Rep; Comr. Solomon Arekeme, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Vice Chairman; Comr. Ebi Eyororokumo fmr, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Chairman and fmr Chairman of all central zone clan chairmen forum; Comr. Cletus Ebitimi, IYC Tarakiri Clan; Comr. Solomon Walter fmr, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Information officer; Comr. Konyefa Endurance, IYC Iduinni Clan Chairman; Comr. Perediafe Fefegha, IYC Oyiakiri 1 Clan Rep; Comr. Akeme Moses, IYC Egbemo Clan Rep 1; Comr. Kelvin Tubokeyei, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Secretary and others.
