The Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri has called on Bayelsans to show patriotism to Bayelsa State and the Ijaw Nation by committing to ongoing efforts of the Prosperity Government in building a prosperous, equity and just State.
The Governor made the call during the wreath laying ceremony as part of activities for this year’s 56th Boro Day celebration on Thursday May 16, 2024 at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Sen. Diri stated that celebrating Boro’s day was a symbol of gratitude to the late activist, Major Isaac Jasper Boro of the Ijaw nation, adding that it is a link between the past, present and future generations.
The Governor advised Bayelsans to play important roles, by sacrificing their efforts for the good of the State, just as Boro sacrificed his life for Bayelsans and the Niger Delta people as a whole, adding that Adaka Boro can never be forgotten.
The governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei urged Bayelsans to join hands with the prosperity government to build the state.
Also speaking, the INC representative chief ken Odiowel stated that without Boro there would not be Bayelsa and Rivers, describing Boro as a courageous and fearless man who fought and died for justice for the Niger Delta. Hence, the yearly remembrance of the hero to encourage the ljaw nation to be united in the struggle for justice and equity to the region.
On his part, the representative of IYC, Mr Victor-Gow Ayebatari decribed Boro as a freedom fighter, who put resources together for the struggle, stressing that Bayelsans should continue with the Boro day celebration to honor him.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs, Mr Agala Douglas, averred that Boro day celebration stands as a symbol of supreme sacrifice for the ljaws and advised Bayelsans to dedicate their self to the course of their communitirs to make the Ijaw nation a land of freedom.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of Ijaw Nation map to the Governor by the President of INC and laying of wreaths.
In the same vein, the State government organized a Public Lecture/Gala Night with the theme, ‘Adaka Boro and Ijaw Struggle for Self-Actualization: Defining New Methods’ in honour on the late hero, on the 16th of May, 2024, at the DSP Alamieyesigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
Speaking during the event, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri expressed the commitment of state government to uphold the ideals of Boro, who fought for the Ijaws to gain freedom from discrimination and marginalization.
The guest lecturer Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi who spoke on theme of the event highlighted different the dimensions of the Ijaw Struggle for self actualization; as resource control, self determination, political involvement and environmental justice.
He pointed out new methods for the Ijaw struggle to include peaceful protest and non-violent campaigns, petitions and social media campaigns, networking and collaboration, internationalization and intellectualization of the struggle, to achieve desired goals.
The program featured a panel to deliberate on the progress of the Ijaw ethnic group.The panel include Dr Felix Tuodolor, Pioneer IYC president, Chief T.K Ogoriba, Leader and founder of Movement for the survival of Ijaw ethic Nationality (MOSIEND), Dame Ibibai Don Pedro, Publisher of National Point Newspaper, and was moderated by Prof. Ben Binabai, the Orator of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma.
Highpoint of the event was a poem presentation by 8year old, Douye the Poet, a stage dramatization of the activities of Boro’s 12 Days Revolution and a tributes session tagged ‘The Boro I know’ which was delivered by close comrades, friends and family of Isaac Adaka Boro; Mr. Alabise Kel, an Army Veteran, HRM Stephen Suokumo Naingi, a recruit of Boro in the Nigerian Army, Sir Peter Igoin, his brother Mr. David Boro and his wife Mrs.Seigha Boro who appreciated the Bayelsa State government for organizing the programme and the entire people of Bayelsa State, as well as the government for expressing readiness to keep on celebrating boro day.
