The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated a ten man committee with a mandate to reconcile the two leadership factions existing in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), and ensure a peaceful enthronement of a single executive council that would be acceptable to all critical stakeholders, leaders and elders of the Ijaw nation.

Governor Seriake Dickson who gave the charge while inaugurating chairman and members of the committee in Government House, Yenagoa, said the committee is to identify the root causes of the conflict between the factions in the Council which led to the unfortunate emergence of a parallel executive council of the IYC.

Describing the IYC as a critical training ground for molding leaders for the future of the Ijaw nation, he said the committee was also be saddled with the responsibility of liaising with both factions and all other stakeholders in the organisation, with a view to properly understanding the background of the disputes and proffer solutions.

Governor Dickson who decried the crisis that led to the emergence of two factional executive councils in the Ijaw Youth organisation, described the development as worrisome and urged the committee to advice government as to how the Ijaw nation could best deal with forestall future recurrence.

He called on members of the committee to also to provide a platform for mediation and reconciliation of the factions that had arisen and make recommendations as to how the IYC could avoid such situations in future elections of the council.

“Anytime the tenure of an IYC is coming to an end, there is always crisis. This is not good enough; the Ijaw nation expects to see a harmonious, peaceful and all-inclusive convention and provide an opportunity to examine the journey so far because the IYC is a critical training ground for leadership roles.

“And so you are to make general recommendations to help prevent such disputes going forward. Make suggestions that in your view will help not just Bayelsa but also the leaders of the Ijaw nation as to how we can handle the IYC moving forward.”

Governor Dickson who said the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor and his Delta State counterpart would be part of a team to support the peace initiatives of the committee, also charged its members to submit an interim report within two weeks.

The committee has former and pioneer Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, as Chairman, Prof. Dagogo Fubara, is to serve as Vice Chairman while retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, as the secretary.

Other members are, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Architect E. I. E Etteh, Chief Nimi Adoki, Mrs. Rafi Suowari, High Chief F. J. Williams and Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Hon. Austin Dressman.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, expressed concern that matters of election have always been crisis-ridden and assured that the committee would do its best to reconcile both factions within the IYC.

Chief Fumudoh who noted that they have been part of the Ijaw struggle, said they have always risen up to the challenge of enthroning peace and stability in the Ijaw nation, adding that, an all-inclusive resolution would be reached. (Channels TV)

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