Yenagoa—Ijaw Youths from Bayelsa West have reportedly thrown their weight behind the spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe in his bid to contest as IYC president in the forthcoming elections.
The youths, represented by a delegation of key players of IYC also pledged to purchase the nomination/Expression of Interest form for Ekerefe.
The youths made this known in a stakeholders meeting on Sunday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Speaking during the meeting, the convener of the youths, Elder Eyororokumo Victor said the decision to back Ekerefe to be IYC President in the 9th session was based on the belief that he has a passion to fulfill the people’s interests and hope for the region.
He noted that beyond Ebilade’s tireless effort in defending the Ijaw nation, he has positively impacted the lives of Ijaw youths as IYC spokesman as well as proven himself a visionary, vocal, dogged, compassionate, and selfless leader.
He recounted some of Ekerefe’s projects as spokesman, saying that “over eighty youths from Ijaw nation at the first batch of the ICT programme initiated by the spokesman have gotten laptops as starter packs for them to start life in the information technology (I.T) world and the second batch has commenced for another 100 Ijaw youths to be trained in Computer appreciation, programming and coding.
He continued “The Ijaw nation needs a trusted and reliable visionary, who feels the pain and anguish of the people and is capable of defending our territories and making life better for our people.
“We do not have any doubt about Ebilade’s candidature, he is a wordy and listening son of our senatorial district, and he has impacted the lives of Ijaw youths through ICT and other programmes initiated by him’.
“We are calling on our vibrant, articulate, and charismatic son to contest this election, beyond that, we will purchase his nomination form if he eventually accepts our position.
Also speaking, Comr. Daubiri Ayamah, IYC Oyakiri Clan Representative Two, said Ebilade Ekerefe is a sound and outspoken mind who has done marvelously well as a spokesman of IYC.
“Beyond defending our region, the ICT training and empowerment programme initiated by Ebilade as spokesman, his works speak volumes in the region, and that has informed the massive desire from the people for him to contest as president of IYC.”
On his part, Comr. Godspower Eyitimibai, former IYC Tungbo-Ebe clan representative and active member of IYC said the decision by the stakeholders of IYC in the senatorial district is unanimous, adding that Ekerefe has shown capacity and passion in defending the interest of Ijaw people.
Similarly, Comr. Gigi Oyinebi, IYC Oyiakiri clan chairman, described Ekerefe as vibrant, eloquent, and charismatic and said the people of Bayelsa West are supporting their own.
“We don’t want to promote mediocrity, we have seen Ekerefe as someone who can represent the Ijaw nation at any level.
“Beyond that, he is intelligent and has done so much as spokesman of IYC that is speaking volumes of his achievements and that is why we will purchase his nomination of interest form,” he noted.
The stakeholders present at the meeting are, Comr. Douglas Perekeme, IYC Egbomo Clan Chairman, Comr. Dimene Dennis, IYC Oporomor Clan Chairman, Comr. Kingsley Prezi, IYC Tarakiri Clan Rep, Comr. Solomon Arekeme, IYC Oyiakiri Clan vice chairman, Comr. Ebi Eyororokumo, fmr IYC Oyiakiri Clan Chairman and fmr chairman of all central zone clan chairmen forum.
Others are Comr. Cletus Ebitimi, IYC Tarakiri Clan, Comr. Solomon Walter, former IYC Oyiakiri Clan information officer, Comr. Konyefa Endurance, IYC Iduinni Clan Chairman, Comr. Perediafe Fefegha, IYC Oyiakiri 1 Clan Rep, Comr. Akeme Moses, IYC Egbemo Clan Rep 1, Comr. Kelvin Tubokeyei, IYC Oyiakiri Clan Secretary, among others.
