Markets, shops, banks and other commercial activities were shut on Tuesday as Bayelsans came together in Yenagoa and Kaima to celebrate this year's Isaac Boro Day.
Governor Seriake Dickson led the celebration with the
laying of wreath at the Ijaw Heroes Park, where the remains of late
Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, the symbol of Niger Delta struggle for
self determination in the 1960s was buried.
However, fight broke out amongst some Ijaw youths in the
process of sharing of funds at a hotel in Yenagoa where they had
convene. The situation led to a bottle duel which left scores seriously
injured..
Below is a statement issued by Comr. Amiebi Turner, Acting
Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Central Zone, on the incident:
PRESS STATEMENT, 16-05-2017
VIOLENCE ON BORO'S DAY: IYC CENTRAL ZONE BLAMES TUODOLO, CONDEMNS FIGHTING AMONGST IJAW YOUTHS.
The attention of the IYC central zone has been drawn to
today's Unfortunate incident, i would not have believed that the
celebration of our hero, late major Isaac jasper Adaka Boro will be
truncated by violence, looting, display of greed, and fighting amongst
Ijaw youths.
I want to use this medium to condemn the activities of
Felix Tuodolo led IYC support group ( IYC purported faction), who were
seen perpetrating violence, looting from shops, and harassing residents
in the guise of celebrating the late hero.
It is very unfortunate that greed and desperation for
control of IYC structures, has resulted to the show of open combat
amongst Ijaw youths.
Today, at a hotel in Yenagoa, along Tombia-amassoma road, i
was reliably informed that Felix Tuodolo mobilised Ijaw youths to
convene there, only for fight to have broken out in the process of
sharing funds, a situation which led to a bottle duel amongst some Ijaw
youths, who are now lying critically ill and at the point of death in a
nearby hospital.
Painfully, most of these youths never partook in the
exercise but were rather seen causing nuisance around Yenagoa
metropolis, painting the IYC with a bad image, yet they received huge
sums of money from Felix Tuodolo, for disrupting the peaceful conduct of
the day.
Meanwhile, those Ijaw youths who came out to honor the late
hero and conducted themselves in an orderly manner, did so without
receiving a dime, but all for the love of the Ijaw course.
While i condemn the attacks amongst Ijaw youths and wish
them quick recovery, i wish to call on all Ijaw leaders, youths, to hold
Felix Tuodolo responsible for the unfortunate events and all the crises
that has erupted in the council, today's event clearly shows that it
was all a grand plot from inception to put the IYC in a state of
leadership crises by some persons, so they could continue to be called
upon as mediators. Sad to say, but it is time for us to be wiser.
It is also sad to note, that Felix Tuodolo's people
exhibited characters of bad morals; causing chaos amongst Ijaw youths.
To maintain the existing peace in the state, i diplomatically cautioned
our youths to decease from escalating the uproar that has already
occured as a result of failed , bad and greedy persons who were
opportuned to take charge of today's mobilisation.
I further commend the Bayelsa state government for its
display of commitment to propagate the Ijaw cause. I appreciate the
Commissioner of police and all media houses for their show of love and
maintenance of law and order.
In the spirit of solidarity, i call on all Ijaw youths in
the zone, to maintain law and order and continue to uphold the ideals of
our founding father's. I have began moves to propose to the state
government to declare May 16th, boro's day, thereby making it a public
holiday, which will further prevent the unfortunate incidents that
occured today.
Long live the Boro dream
Long live Ijaw Nation
Long live the IYC!
Long live Ijaw Nation
Long live the IYC!
Aan Izon!!!
Yours in struggle:
Comr. Amiebi Turner,
Ag. Chairman, IYC central zone
Comr. Amiebi Turner,
Ag. Chairman, IYC central zone
Meanwhile, speaking at the 2017 Boro Day event, Governor
Dickson described the late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro as a symbol of the
Ijaw struggle, whose agitation and activism for a better life for his
people can never be forgotten. According to him, the late Boro even
though he had passed on remains in the heart of many because of the
sacrifices and contributions he made and added that he will forever be
honored as a true Ijaw hero.
Dickson stated that Boro alongside his comrades left the
comfort of their lives to fight for others, an attribute which he said
is rare and urged people to emulate them as that which they fought for
still exists.
He said " Isaac Boro and his fellow comrades believed in
the wellbeing and welfare of their people and not themselves. They
stood trial, were convicted and sentenced to death before they were
later pardoned. They fought for our liberation to prevent another
colonialism".
The governor who used the occasion to announce the
commencement of a special allowance for the wife of the late Boro also
told the gathering that his government is building the capacity of
youths in the state in various fields to take over from the departed heroes who were equally committed to education.
" As a people we need to have a clear sense of direction, a clear sense of strategy. If you don't know, let me inform you that you belong to an ethnic group that is the most oppressed and deprived on the face of the earth".
" That is why we are working hard to lay the foundation for a new Bayelsa and a new Ijaw nation. We are raising a new generation of Isaac Boro to give intellectual bite to the Niger Delta struggle because the battles are not over but the territories, terrains and story must change".
Gov. Dickson also used the event to berate some privileged
Bayelsans who are occupying sensitive positions but have refused to
attract any meaningful development to the state because of politics.
In their goodwill messages, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass,
Alfred Diete-Spiff and the chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Forum, Chief
Francis Doukpola said Boro lived and died for what he believed in.
On their part, the Ebidaowei of Kolokuma, King Mosi Agara
and the first daughter of the late Boro, Esther praised Dickson for
keeping the name of their departed hero alive.
The highlight of the event was the laying of wreath at the graveside of Boro by the governor, his deputy and other dignitaries.
More photos below...
And I should read all this epistle to the Rome because?
ReplyDeleteNa Dem sabbi.... .Bayelsan, una go dey alright
@Galore
where is the police when you need them.
ReplyDeletenawa
ReplyDelete-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds
Happy celebrations to all the jobless fools! Anuofia!
ReplyDeleteChoi
ReplyDeleteBoro day indeed.what they always use to perpetrate evil;broke into people's shops and steal their things.mtcheeeeeew!
ReplyDeleteThis is one problem with Ijaw youths, always fighting over money dashed them by the so called politicians.
ReplyDeleteI served in Bayelsa so I know what I'm talking abt.