Diri Tasks Ijaws On Unity

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has stressed the need for Ijaw people to embrace unity and speak with one voice to actualise their dreams and developmental aspirations.
Diri made the call at the weekend during a funeral service in honour of Nigeria’s pioneer Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Late Dr Mofia Tonjo-Akobo at Tombia Town in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The position was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, by Mr Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor.
Diri was represented at the event by his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The governor noted that the current realities in the country called for a more cohesive Ijaw nation where its people must work together to build on the achievements of their forebears.
He said although the Ijaw tribe is the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country, not much has been achieved because of lack of unity and oneness of purpose in their pursuit for development and progress.
He explained that as riverine people whose survival largely depended on their marine environment, the Ijaws should adopt all necessary measures to oppose the National Water Resources Bill and other forms of oppression.
Acknowledging the contributions of the deceased towards the development of old Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general, Diri described the late Tonjo-Akobo as “a great star who wrote his name on the sands of time.”
He decried the glaring absence of any federal government delegation at the former Minister’s funeral service, describing the development as lack of appreciation and respect for not only the deceased; but for the entire Ijaw people.