By Jide Dominic, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Patriotic Movement (IPM) a socio-cultural body cutting across Western, Central and Eastern zones of all Ijaw speaking states in the country has launched its programme of activities for 2026, calling on Ijaws both at home and in diaspora to unite and imbibe the spirit of oneness for the overall growth and development of all Ijaws as a whole.
The President of IPM, Ganren Mislaw, who stated this while welcoming members of the body to the launching ceremony in Yenagoa noted that Ijaws are the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country and therefore deserves its rightful place among the comity of ethnic groups in the country, adding that all oil bearing communities in Ijaw land should be placed on a 13% derivation platform by the Federal Government.
Ganren Mislaw further disclosed that IPM is an affiliate of the apex Ijaw body, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) that has laid a solid foundation for other related bodies to build on, stressing that the launching of the programme of activities for IPM is a veritable way to actualise its aims, objectives and vision which are thirteen in number.
He particularly expressed gratitude to INC National President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba for the pragmatic effort he has put in place that has changed the narrative of Ijaw nation for good, emphasizing that his proven track record of quality leadership of the body is evident for all Ijaw sons and daughters to see.
In the same vein, Mislaw also commended the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for the various developmental strides he has recorded right from the inception of the Prosperity Administration till date, ranging from the construction of the ongoing three senatorial roads, skill acquisition programmes for Ijaw youths and other landmark infrastructural development all around the state.
According to him, IPM programme of activities for the year include entering into an enduring partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to curb the age long environmental degradation in oil producing communities in Ijaw land, particularly oil spillages that have adversely affected the entire eco-system of Ijaw communities, collaboration with Education Ministry for the practical educational advancement of the teeming Ijaw youths, skill acquisition and empowerment programmes for Ijaw youths and a concerted collaboration with government agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to give succour to Ijaw widows and orphans.
In his remarks, the Vice President II of INC, Alabo Nengi James who was represented by the Special Assistance to Gov. Douye Diri on Grassroots Mobilisation, Dr. Tarikeyi Miriki urged members of IPM never to relent in thier continuous support and encouragement to the national President of the body for him to succeed and take it to the next level of development, noting that the visions and missions of the organization can only be achieved with a collective effort by all members.
The various clan Chairmen of the body, including Ogbia, Kolokuma and Tuomo, the Central and Western Zones Chairmen, the Secretary of IPM, Lagos State Chapter and Chairman of IPM members in Diaspora, all highlighted the significance of promoting Ijaw cultural heritage, rights and supporting the efforts displayed by IPM in advancing the socio-cultural and economic development of Ijaw nation globally, especially as regards agricultural development, speaking one homogeneous Ijaw language, a general king for the whole of Ijaw nation and the inculcation of Ijaw cultural day.
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