2023: Crucial Year For Critical Decisions, Says INC

 

Igoniko Oduma Yenagoa

CASCADED by 

wilson Macaulay

08030886420

The President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has described 2023 as "a crucial year for critical decisions and actions" as Nigeria gears up for another round of general elections in the country.

He urged Ijaw people to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote diligently during the forthcoming polls.

"Nevertheless, we need to remind all Ijaw people that 2023 is a crucial year for critical decisions and actions, especially because it is another year of national elections. Let us all ensure that we collect our PVCs to exercise our franchise with diligence," Okaba said in a New Year message titled, "Let's Look Forward To Better Days Ahead".

He congratulated Ijaw people for successfully crossing over from 2022 to the New Year under the abiding grace of God, and expressed the hope that the Ijaw nation would fare better in 2023 and the days ahead.

Okaba said, "The outgone year, no doubt, was a mixed bag of appreciable progress in several respects and existential challenges of diverse proportions. Indeed, the monster 2022 flooding and its attendant massive impact on property and livelihoods was one major adversity that befell Ijaw land due to the nature of our wetlands environment.

"But the INC, however, salutes the resilience, courage and tenacity of our people for demonstrating the undying Ijaw spirit to brave all odds and the trying moments that the outgone year presented.

"The INC is confident and optimistic that 2023 holds a lot of promise and opportunities for the Ijaw nation and indeed Ijaw people. We must not quiver.

"We, therefore, urge all Ijaw people to boldly step into the New Year with renewed hope, vigour and strength for better days ahead, success and advancement."

Okaba also enjoined Ijaw people to be vigilant, conscious and sensitive to their socio-economic and political environment, stressing that "the Ijaw nation's quest for resource and environmental justice, and emancipation from oppression and subjugation by the Nigerian state, remains inalienable."

"We assure all Ijaw people of our resolve and commitment to continually engage meaningfully while harnessing legitimate and non-violent mechanisms to ensure resource and environmental justice for Ijaw nation.

"The INC thanks all Ijaw people, leaders of thought and stakeholders for their unrelenting support and reposing confidence in the present leadership so far, and call for more synergy and collaboration as well as cross-fertilization of ideas to move Ijaw nation forward", he stated.

He called on Ijaw people to continually love one another and strengthen the bond of unity and oneness of purpose for the realisation of their collective aspirations.