Press Statement
Coastal Resilience, Policy, and Governance: Implications for Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Ijawland.
Being an Address by Prof. Benjamin O. Okaba, President of Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global, on the Occasion of the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit, at Nice, France, on the 7th of June, 2025.
His Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring felicitations from the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people, one of the four largest ethnic nationalities of Nigeria.
I stand before you today on the occasion of the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit 2025 (holding in Nice, France) to address a critical issue that affects our very essence and existence as a people: As the President of the Ijaw National Congress, I consider it important to highlight the implications of these issues for economic and environmental sustainability in Ijaw Land, at this important platform.This is inspite of our natural endowment experience as master mariners.
The Ijaw Reality
As an indigenous nation living in the Niger Delta, we are no strangers to the devastating impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and oil pollution. Our people have borne the brunt of extractive exploitation, with our lands, waters, and ecosystems scarred by decades of neglect and abuse since 1956/1958, when oil and gas was first discovered in commercial quantities in Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of the present Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Rising sea levels, ocean surges, and flooding events threaten our very existence.
The Challenges We Face
Ijaws occupy over 60% of the entire Nigeria coastline, from the literal indigenous ljaw communities on Akwa lbom, Rivers Delta, Ondo, and Lagos States in Nigeria. Infact ,the ocean and it’s divers marine and it’s acquatice resources defines the ljaw identity livelihood systems and heritage Our communities are on the frontlines of climate change, facing rising sea levels, storm surges, and environmental degradation. The impacts are far-reaching, from damage to infrastructure and livelihoods to threats to our very way of life. We have seen our mangrove forests, a vital component of our ecosystem, being destroyed, and our fisheries being depleted. Our people are struggling to cope with the loss of their livelihoods and the degradation of their environment.
The Impact on Our Economy
The impact of climate change and environmental degradation on our economy is significant. Our fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors are all vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The damage to our infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, is also a significant concern. We need to take immediate action to mitigate these impacts and ensure the long-term sustainability of our economy, but not without support from the national and international communities.
The Importance of Coastal Resilience
Coastal resilience is critical to the survival of our communities. We need to take a proactive approach to managing our coastal resources, protecting our infrastructure, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This includes investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting ecosystem-based adaptation, and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods.
Our Demands
We demand that policymakers and stakeholders at national and international levels prioritize coastal resilience, policy, and governance that supports the needs of our communities through the instrumentality of:
1. Integrated Coastal Management: Developing plans that balance economic, environmental, and social objectives. We need to ensure that our coastal management plans are integrated, inclusive, and sustainable.
2. Climate Change Adaptation: Supporting initiatives that help us adapt to the impacts of climate change. We need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, promote ecosystem-based adaptation, and support climate-resilient livelihoods.
3. Community Engagement: Ensuring that our communities are actively involved in decision-making processes. We need to ensure that our communities are at the forefront of decision-making and that their voices are heard.
4. Leveraging on Indigenous Knowledge and Technology: We need to review and update the existing indigenous capacities to be able to meet up with current challenges.lnfact a bottom -up approach is most promising.
Our Call to Action
We call upon the global community to recognize the unique challenges faced by coastal communities like ours. We seek solidarity, not charity. Coastal resilience must be built on justice, equity, and the recognition of our rights as indigenous peoples. We demand:
1. Direct access to climate finance for subnational entities and local communities.
2. A UN Convention for the Conservation of River Deltas, recognizing the specific needs and challenges of deltaic regions.
3. Technological partnerships to support our efforts in mangrove restoration, early warning systems, and integrated coastal zone management.
4. South-South cooperation between deltaic states, sharing knowledge and best practices.I would advise that the Governors of Akwa lbom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Ondo and Lagos States should domesticate the ideals of the Global initiative for the fight against the menance of Climate Change and collaborate amongst themselves as regional partners and collaborate with the relevant international agencies. Systemic climate adaptation and environment integrity would be easier actualized with dignity.
We call upon all stakeholders to join us in this effort. Let us work together to build a more resilient and sustainable future for Ijawland. We will not be deterred by the challenges we face. We will rise, and we will thrive. We need to take immediate action to address the impacts of climate change, promote sustainable development, and protect our environment.
Our Commitment
The INC reaffirms our commitment to building resilience, providing sustainable development and protecting the right of the people This position is it n line with our persistent resolve on Self determination and control of our God given Water and Land resources. We are committed to promoting the interests of our people and protecting our environment. We will continue to advocate for policies and practices that support our communities and ensure a sustainable future. We will work with policymakers, stakeholders, and our communities to develop and implement effective coastal management plans, support climate change adaptation initiatives, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that coastal resilience, policy, and governance are critical to the survival and prosperity of our communities. We need to take a proactive approach to managing our coastal resources, protecting our infrastructure, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. I urge all stakeholders to join us in this effort and to work together towards a more resilient and sustainable future for Ijaw Land.
Thank you.
Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT: PANDEF WELCOMES ONGOING REFORMS IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR AND DEMANDS FOR GREATER POSITIONING FOR PROFESSIONALS FROM THE NIGER DELTA
Being Text of Press Statement Issued by the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF)
The news of the recent reforms in the regulatory arms of Nigeria’s oil sector has come to the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and indeed the entire Niger Delta with great appreciation and expectation.
We particularly applaud the appointment of one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas sector, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as CEO of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Indeed, this particular appointment could be described as putting a square peg in a square hole, and we thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this.
Mrs. Eyesan, a seasoned economist, has left her mark in the Nigerian petroleum industry, having previously served as Executive Vice President (Upstream) in NNPC. In all her professional life, she has always left a mark of diligence, excellence and impact, wherever she served. She showcases a panache, making all Nigerians, and indeed, our womenfolk exceptionally proud of her service to the country.
It is our belief that, with her in charge of upstream and corresponding appointment of another competent Nigerian, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigeria Mid-Stream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Mr. President is set to take the Nigerian oil and gas sector on a quantum leap into the future.
We, the people of the Niger Delta, are greatly impressed with these changes, and hope that the holistic reforms would be sustained. This is the only way to ensure that the oil and gas industry continues to play the paramount role which it has been doing for the common economic interest of all Nigerians and places Nigeria as a dominant player in the global energy architecture.
PANDEF again take this opportunity to express the hope that, as Mr. President will continue to follow through with these reforms in the sector, more sons and daughters of the Niger Delta from where the country has the highest number of experienced professionals in the sector, would be brought into other top positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation {NNPC} and the industry at large. Furthermore, we look forward to sustained efforts of the Federal Government in putting in place a robust programme for the environmental remediation of the Niger Delta. The Federal Government must go beyond Ogoni Clean-up to ensure that there is budgetary provision on annual basis to clean up the damaged environments of the Niger Delta in a sustained manner.
These changes present another opportunity to call on the Federal Government to put in place a robust programme to promote the building of modular refineries in the Niger Delta. In 2018, government had committed itself to setting up a Modular Refinery Development Fund, similar to the Solid Minerals Development Fund. This must be urgently looked into and encouraged as a way of carrying more host communities along in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), creating more economic activities in the Niger Delta and ensuring that the sector has greater stability for the overall good of the country.
Finally, as the apex body representing host communities, PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to working closely with Federal and State governments in mobilising our people to ensure that the right enabling environment exists for this important sector to continue to play its deserved role.
Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali,
National Chairman
Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini
National Publicity Secretary
Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT: THE IJAW NATION MUST REMAIN CALM, UNITED, AND STRATEGIC IN THE FACE OF RECENT POLITICAL DEFECTIONS – INC
PRESS STATEMENT:
THE IJAW NATION MUST REMAIN CALM, UNITED, AND STRATEGIC IN THE FACE OF RECENT POLITICAL DEFECTIONS
By Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, Ijaw National Congress
1. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has observed with keen interest the recent gale of political defections across Nigeria and particularly in Bayelsa State, the epicentre of our national homeland.
While the INC, as a body, remains non-partisan and does not dictate the political choices of our people, we are deeply concerned about the implications of these rapid political realignments on the unity, stability, and long-term strategic interests of the Ijaw nation.
2. We acknowledge the wisdom of those who strongly believe that this move carries inherent dangers that could undermine the Ijaw’s political standing, especially in terms of contribution to a One-Party State, that could diminish their strategic leverage to negotiate between competing national parties, potentially making them politically captive to a single entity; the risk of internal division that could weaken collective action; the erosion of a distinct political identity, by aligning with the party that controls the federal government could be perceived as a dilution of the core Ijaw struggle, trading a principled stance for pragmatic gains and potentially causing ideological confusion.
3. We also fully appreciate the principled position of majority of our leaders who view this move as a strategic calculation, with implications for enhanced national integration; moving the Ijaw from the political periphery—often in opposition—into the center of federal power, a shift from being an “isolated island of opposition” to the “mainland of collaboration”, as this could end a period of political isolation and integrate the Ijaw more fully into Nigeria’s governing structure; a path to economic development, as proximity to the federal government is historically linked to the allocation of resources and projects. To these optimists the Ijaw nation could leverage this new alignment to attract critical federal infrastructure—such as roads, seaports, and power projects—to the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta, addressing long-standing developmental deficits and; that having direct political access for being part of the ruling party grants a seat at the table of national decision-making. This access could allow Ijaw leaders to influence policies directly affecting the region, from oil revenue derivation formulas to environmental regulations and security matters in the creeks, rather than protesting these issues from the outside.
4. In times of such political volatility, it is easy for emotions to run high and for our collective focus to be fractured. Therefore, we issue this statement to call for utmost calm, strategic thinking, and unwavering unity among all Ijaw people, regardless of political affiliation.a. A Call for Composure Over Reaction: We urge our sons and daughters, our leaders and followers, not to be swayed by the transient winds of political expediency. We must not allow these developments to create division, animosity, or internal conflict within our communities. The peace and stability of the Ijaw Nation are paramount and non-negotiable.
b. The Supremacy of the Ijaw Interest: The INC wishes to remind all Ijaw politicians that their primary allegiance is to the Ijaw people. Political platforms are vehicles for advancement, but the destination must always be the development, empowerment, and protection of the Ijaw national interest. We caution against actions that sacrifice our collective destiny on the altar of personal ambition or short-term gains.
c. Guarding Our Political Voice: History has taught us that our strength often lies in our ability to maintain a distinct and formidable voice in the Nigerian federation. We must be strategic and discerning, ensuring that our political choices do not lead to the erosion of our hard-earned political relevance or relegate us to the periphery of national decision-making.
d. Unity as Our Bedrock: Now, more than ever, we must close ranks. The INC will continue to provide a neutral ground for dialogue and engagement to ensure that the Ijaw nation emerges from this period stronger and more cohesive. We warn external forces against exploiting this situation to cause disharmony within our ranks.
The Ultimate Implication: A Test of Strategic Execution
5. In an unbiased assessment, the defection itself is less critical than what follows. The primary implication for the Ijaw nation is that it presents a high-stakes test of political skill. The benefits may not be automatic, and the risks may not be inevitable. The outcome hinges on whether Ijaw leadership can:
i. Achieve Internal Cohesion: Unify the various political factions within and outside the APC to present a solid, common front.
ii. Leverage Access Effectively: Convert the newfound proximity to power into tangible, lasting benefits for the Ijaw people, not just for a political class.
iii. Protect Core Interests: Ensure that the strategic identity and long-standing demands for equity and environmental justice are not silenced but are more effectively championed from within the system.
6. Let it be clear: The Ijaw nation is greater than any single political party or individual. Our journey for justice, equity, and fair inclusion in the Nigerian project is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, wisdom, and a united front.
7. The INC stands ready to guide and provide leadership through this period. We call on all Ijaw socio-cultural groups, youth organizations, women leaders, and traditional rulers to join hands in fostering understanding and a strategic approach to the current political realities.
The Ijaw spirit is unbreakable. Let us navigate this moment with the wisdom of our ancestors and the courage that defines us.
Long live the Ijaw Nation!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Prof. Benjamin Okaba,
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)
Press Statement
NIGERIA AT 65: A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF JUSTICE AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE IJAW NATION
PRESS STATEMENT:
October 1, 2025
NIGERIA AT 65: A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF JUSTICE AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE IJAW NATION
By: Professor Benjamin Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
On the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th year of political independence, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural and political organization of the Ijaw people, finds no serious cause for any grandiose celebrations, beyond appreciating God and providence for getting us together as one single political entity. Instead, this anniversary serves as a solemn and painful reminder of 65 years of internal colonialism, calculated marginalization, and the systemic expropriation of our wealth and rights.
For the Ijaw nation, the Nigerian project has been a story of broken promises and brazen injustice. While our land and waters have produced the oil and gas that have fueled the nation’s economy for decades, we have been rewarded with nothing but extreme poverty, environmental devastation, and political suppression. The much-celebrated unity of Nigeria remains a myth, built upon the foundation of our oppression.
Our stance is not one of mere grievance, but one grounded in historical fact and legal right. The Ijaw people, as distinct owners of a territory with pre-1914 treaties with the British Crown, never willingly surrendered our sovereignty. The Nigerian state, as it is constituted, has consistently violated the principles of true federalism upon which it was supposedly founded.
The recent political crisis in Rivers State, where the rights of an Ijaw son were trampled with federal acquiescence, is only the latest chapter in this long history of disrespect. It demonstrates a persistent pattern where the might of the state is deployed not for justice, but to subjugate the Ijaw will.
Furthermore, laws like the Land Use Decree, Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are not instruments of reform but a continuation of the legalized plunder of our resources. Our environment remains a sacrifice zone, with oil spills and gas flaring destroying our ecosystem and livelihoods with impunity.
Given this reality, we have come to a definitive conclusion: the pursuit of justice within the current Nigerian framework is a futile endeavour. Our hope no longer resides within Therefore, on this 65th anniversary, we reiterate our commitment to the Global Awakening of the Ijaw Struggle for Self determination.
We hereby call upon the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and all global citizens of conscience, to take note of the plight of the Ijaw people. We invoke the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to legitimize our quest for self-determination. Our demand is for the right to manage our resources, protect our environment, and determine our political destinies.
Let it be clear: our quest is for justice, not secession by force. We shall pursue this cause through peaceful, strategic, and diplomatic means, as is our right under international law.
To the Nigerian State, our message is this: the Ijaw people can no longer be spectators in a nation built on our backs. The current structure is unsustainable. The time for a sincere national dialogue that addresses the fundamental issues of resource control, true federalism, and the rights of nationalities is long overdue.
Until that day of reckoning, do not expect us to celebrate an independence that has only deepened our chains.
Long live ljaw Ethnic Nation
Professor Benjamin Okaba
President,
Global Ijaw National Congress (INC).