Markets, shops, banks and other commercial activities were shut on Tuesday as Bayelsans came together in Yenagoa and Kaima to celebrate this year's Isaac Boro Day.
Governor Seriake Dickson led the celebration with the laying of wreath at the Ijaw Heroes Park, where the remains of late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, the symbol of Niger Delta struggle for self determination in the 1960s was buried.
However, fight broke out amongst some Ijaw youths in the process of sharing of funds at a hotel in Yenagoa where they had convene. The situation led to a bottle duel which left scores seriously injured..
Below is a statement issued by Comr. Amiebi Turner, Acting Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Central Zone, on the incident:
PRESS STATEMENT, 16-05-2017
VIOLENCE ON BORO'S DAY: IYC CENTRAL ZONE BLAMES TUODOLO, CONDEMNS FIGHTING AMONGST IJAW YOUTHS.
The attention of the IYC central zone has been drawn to today's Unfortunate incident, i would not have believed that the celebration of our hero, late major Isaac jasper Adaka Boro will be truncated by violence, looting, display of greed, and fighting amongst Ijaw youths.
I want to use this medium to condemn the activities of Felix Tuodolo led IYC support group ( IYC purported faction), who were seen perpetrating violence, looting from shops, and harassing residents in the guise of celebrating the late hero.
It is very unfortunate that greed and desperation for control of IYC structures, has resulted to the show of open combat amongst Ijaw youths.
Today, at a hotel in Yenagoa, along Tombia-amassoma road, i was reliably informed that Felix Tuodolo mobilised Ijaw youths to convene there, only for fight to have broken out in the process of sharing funds, a situation which led to a bottle duel amongst some Ijaw youths, who are now lying critically ill and at the point of death in a nearby hospital.
Painfully, most of these youths never partook in the exercise but were rather seen causing nuisance around Yenagoa metropolis, painting the IYC with a bad image, yet they received huge sums of money from Felix Tuodolo, for disrupting the peaceful conduct of the day.
Meanwhile, those Ijaw youths who came out to honor the late hero and conducted themselves in an orderly manner, did so without receiving a dime, but all for the love of the Ijaw course.
While i condemn the attacks amongst Ijaw youths and wish them quick recovery, i wish to call on all Ijaw leaders, youths, to hold Felix Tuodolo responsible for the unfortunate events and all the crises that has erupted in the council, today's event clearly shows that it was all a grand plot from inception to put the IYC in a state of leadership crises by some persons, so they could continue to be called upon as mediators. Sad to say, but it is time for us to be wiser.
It is also sad to note, that Felix Tuodolo's people exhibited characters of bad morals; causing chaos amongst Ijaw youths. To maintain the existing peace in the state, i diplomatically cautioned our youths to decease from escalating the uproar that has already occured as a result of failed , bad and greedy persons who were opportuned to take charge of today's mobilisation.
I further commend the Bayelsa state government for its display of commitment to propagate the Ijaw cause. I appreciate the Commissioner of police and all media houses for their show of love and maintenance of law and order.
In the spirit of solidarity, i call on all Ijaw youths in the zone, to maintain law and order and continue to uphold the ideals of our founding father's. I have began moves to propose to the state government to declare May 16th, boro's day, thereby making it a public holiday, which will further prevent the unfortunate incidents that occured today.
Long live the Boro dream
Long live Ijaw Nation
Long live the IYC!
Aan Izon!!!
Yours in struggle:
Comr. Amiebi Turner,
Ag. Chairman, IYC central zone
Meanwhile, speaking at the 2017 Boro Day event, Governor Dickson described the late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro as a symbol of the Ijaw struggle, whose agitation and activism for a better life for his people can never be forgotten. According to him, the late Boro even though he had passed on remains in the heart of many because of the sacrifices and contributions he made and added that he will forever be honored as a true Ijaw hero.
Dickson stated that Boro alongside his comrades left the comfort of their lives to fight for others, an attribute which he said is rare and urged people to emulate them as that which they fought for still exists.
He said " Isaac Boro and his fellow comrades believed in the wellbeing and welfare of their people and not themselves. They stood trial, were convicted and sentenced to death before they were later pardoned. They fought for our liberation to prevent another colonialism".
The governor who used the occasion to announce the commencement of a special allowance for the wife of the late Boro also told the gathering that his government is building the capacity of youths in the state in various fields to take over from the departed heroes who were equally committed to education.
" As a people we need to have a clear sense of direction, a clear sense of strategy. If you don't know, let me inform you that you belong to an ethnic group that is the most oppressed and deprived on the face of the earth".
" That is why we are working hard to lay the foundation for a new Bayelsa and a new Ijaw nation. We are raising a new generation of Isaac Boro to give intellectual bite to the Niger Delta struggle because the battles are not over but the territories, terrains and story must change".
Gov. Dickson also used the event to berate some privileged Bayelsans who are occupying sensitive positions but have refused to attract any meaningful development to the state because of politics.
In their goodwill messages, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, Alfred Diete-Spiff and the chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Forum, Chief Francis Doukpola said Boro lived and died for what he believed in.
On their part, the Ebidaowei of Kolokuma, King Mosi Agara and the first daughter of the late Boro, Esther praised Dickson for keeping the name of their departed hero alive.
The highlight of the event was the laying of wreath at the graveside of Boro by the governor, his deputy and other dignitaries.
More photos below...
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