Niger Delta militants

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Ijaw youths and other youth groups in the Niger Delta are set to meet in response to the renewed militancy in the region. The meeting which would be under the auspices of foremost Niger Delta youth organization, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, would review the renewed militant activities in the region and take a common position.

It would be recalled that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide in 2009, then under the leadership of Dr. Chris Ekiyor, initiated the presidential amnesty programme for Ex-Agitators in the Niger Delta which brought peace to the region.

In a statement signed by Eric Omare, spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, the group said the conference of all Ijaw and other Niger Delta youth groups is also expected to be graced by leading Niger Delta activists such as: Mr. Tony Uranta, Ann-Kio Briggs and Dr. Bello Oboko who would be guest speakers. Also expected to attend are representatives of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and all ethnic nationalities, youth groups and organizations in the Niger Delta.

The conference would mark the conclusion of the month long remembrance activities of late Niger Delta hero, Major Jasper Adaka Boro with the theme: “The Ideals of Adaka Boro and Renewed Militancy in the Niger Delta Region: The way forward.

The conference which is slated for Thursday, the 26th of May, 2016 at Bay Hotel (former Wellington Hotel), Warri, Delta State is expected to come out with a communiqué on the common position of the youths of the Niger Delta region on the renewed insurgency and attack on oil facilities.