By Ovie Okpare
Former leader of the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, Chief Government Ekpemupolo better known as Tompolo, has called on Ijaw leaders to support the newly elected officials of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in the interest of Ijaw unity.
Tompolo particularly urged Ijaw leaders to give their unalloyed support to the newly elected INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.
In a statement personally signed by the Gbaramatu chief on Saturday also charged the INC officials to see their election as a call to service for the betterment of Ijaw ethnic nationality.
INC is the apex socio-cultural umbrella body for Ijaw speaking people worldwide.
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He called on the Prof. Okaba-led INC to carry all Ijaw people along in their policies and programmes to enable Ijaw people speak with one voice.
“I, on behalf my family, friends and associates, heartily congratulate my brother and friend, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, on your well-deserved election as the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Saturday April 30th 2021, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
“I wish to also congratulate others who were elected alongside with you to form the Executive Council of the apex organ of the Ijaw Nation.
“I want you to see this elevation as the will of God Almighty and a service to Jehovah and the entire Ijaw Nation. Therefore, it is your duty to carry all and sundry along in Ijaw Nation. You must be magnanimous in victory and see all contestants in the election as brothers and sisters.
“I wish to call on the entire Ijaw Nation to queue behind you on this enormous task of taking the Ijaw Nation to the next level of peace, unity and prosperity.
“My thanks goes to my brother and friend, the miracle Governor of Baylesa State, Chief Senator Douye Diri, for not just providing an enabling environment, but also play a role of neutrality in the process leading to the election.
“You demonstrated yourself as a true son, and the Governor General of Ijaw Nation. I also salute your brothers, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor and his counterpart, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro as worthy companions in achieving this great feat.
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“To our father and elder statesman, Chief Dr Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, I say you were wonderful in your prayers and guardians towards a successful INC election. May Jehovah God continue to endow you with more wisdom and good health to stand by your children in their quest of a greater Ijaw Nation, which has been your dream.
“I greet all our youths and women for their cooperation with the elders in this trying time of our country. It is my prayer that may Jehovah keep us all as one to match on to the Ijaw Nation of our dream”, Tompolo stated.
