Ijaw National Congress | Yenagoa

Absolutely! Here's a detailed overview of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) — its origins, purpose, structure, and significance to the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region:

🇳🇬 Ijaw National Congress (INC)

The Voice of the Ijaw Nation

🧬 Who Are the Ijaw People?

The Ijaw are one of the oldest and most prominent ethnic groups in Nigeria, primarily located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region — particularly in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom States. With a population in the millions, the Ijaw are known for their seafaring lifestyle, rich oral traditions, and deep-rooted cultural heritage.

But despite living in a region central to Nigeria’s oil wealth, the Ijaw people have historically faced environmental degradation, political marginalization, and underdevelopment.

🏛️ What is the Ijaw National Congress (INC)?

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) is the umbrella socio-political and cultural organization representing all Ijaw communities. It acts as the central coordinating body for Ijaw advocacy, uniting voices across all Ijaw-speaking regions, both in Nigeria and the diaspora.

The INC is non-partisan and non-violent in nature, but it plays a powerful lobbying and advocacy role, pushing for Ijaw rights, autonomy, cultural protection, and environmental justice.

🕰️ History & Founding

Founded: Early 1990s (officially formed around 1991–1993)

Key Moments:

Patani Convention (1991): A foundational assembly where the need for a united Ijaw front was discussed.

Arogbo Convention (1992): Reinforced the call for collective Ijaw leadership.

Kaiama Conference (1993): Ratified the INC's constitution and established its legal and operational framework.

The INC was partly born out of a desire to reclaim the Ijaw narrative, especially as the region began to feel the weight of unchecked oil exploration and political neglect.

🎯 Core Objectives of the INC

Ijaw Unity:

To strengthen identity and solidarity across all Ijaw clans and dialects.

Cultural Preservation:

To promote Ijaw language, customs, festivals, traditional institutions, and arts.

Political Representation:

Advocating for greater inclusion in local, state, and national government positions.

Supporting the creation of Ijaw-majority states or regions.

Environmental Protection:

Campaigning against oil spillage, gas flaring, and the destruction of farmlands and rivers.

Demanding cleanup, compensation, and sustainable development for the Niger Delta.

Developmental Advocacy:

Calling for infrastructure (roads, schools, healthcare).

Pressuring governments to honor Niger Delta development agreements.

Peace and Mediation:

Serving as a bridge between aggrieved Ijaw communities and government or corporate bodies (like oil companies).

👥 Leadership Structure

The INC is led by a National Executive Council, which includes:

President

Vice Presidents (zonal)

Secretary, Legal Adviser, Treasurer

Publicity, Welfare, Women’s and Youth Coordinators

🧑‍🏫 Current President (as of 2021–present):

Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba

A respected academic and community leader.

Elected with the mandate to restore the INC’s influence and strengthen its national and international presence.

🌍 Structure and Reach

The INC is organized into:

Zones based on geography (e.g., Western Zone, Eastern Zone, Central Zone, Lagos Chapter, Diaspora Chapters)

Chapters in local Ijaw communities and urban centers

Diaspora Representation in countries like the UK, USA, South Africa, etc.

This allows it to mobilize quickly and respond to issues affecting Ijaw people anywhere.

📰 Recent Advocacy

East-West Road Campaign:
The INC recently demanded the completion of the East-West Road, a vital lifeline for the Niger Delta that has been under construction for years.

Environmental Justice:
The group frequently challenges oil companies over pollution and land degradation in Ijaw territories.

Political Engagement:
The INC sometimes endorses candidates or political parties it believes will protect Ijaw interests, though it remains officially apolitical.

🕊️ Relationship with Other Ijaw Bodies

The INC works closely with:

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) – a youth-led activist arm (famously issued the Kaiama Declaration in 1998).

Traditional Rulers Council – for cultural authority and legitimacy.

Ijaw Elders Forum – for wisdom and strategy.

🏠 Headquarters

Ijaw House

Located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Serves as the symbolic and operational home of the INC.

If you’d like, I can also break down the INC's constitution, help you draft a speech or letter to them, or look at how to get involved with their programs. Just let me know!