Izoukumor To IYC: Uphold The Ideals Of The Ijaw Struggle

By Judith Ebitimi Kwamande, Ebiakpo O. Obanyedo

The Executive Director, Social Services of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Favour Izoukumor on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 played host to members of the Executive Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide who paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate Headquarters of the Commission.

Congratulating the newly inaugurated members of the IYC Executive Council on their successful election on behalf of himself, Chairman of the Board, Chief Bar. John Nani and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor Izoukumor in his welcome address, Chief Izoukumor described the Ijaw Youth Council as one of the foremost and most revered pressure groups representing the interests and aspirations of the Ijaw people and expressed confidence in the capacity of the new leadership to advance the cause of the Ijaw nation.

Chief Izoukumor used the occasion to charge the National Executive Members of the IYC to remain steadfast and tenacious in upholding the ideals of the Ijaw struggle, noting that the Niger Delta remains one of the major oil-producing regions in Nigeria while emphasizing that years of legitimate advocacy and agitation by the people of the region had contributed to the establishment of interventionist agencies such as DESOPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) among others.

According to him, the continued relevance of such institutions makes it imperative for the region’s youth leaders to remain actively engaged in advocating for policies and programmes that will improve the lives of the people.

He therefore urged the IYC leadership to engage relevant stakeholders and intensify efforts toward addressing the scourge of unemployment among graduates and young people in the region and called on the youth leaders to continue advocating for improved environmental conditions, entrepreneurial development, skills acquisition, technological advancement and other initiatives capable of equipping young people to compete effectively in the modern global economy.

Chief Izoukumor further advised the IYC to collaborate with critical stakeholders within the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and other ethnic nationalities, stressing that strategic partnerships and collective action would help amplify their voice and attract the much-needed development to the region.

He urged the new leadership to remain united in the pursuit of their objectives and to avoid individualistic and clannish tendencies, emphasizing that unity, inclusiveness and a common purpose were essential to achieving meaningful and sustainable development.

Earlier, the Leader and National Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Victor Ibanigo had expressed appreciation to Chief Favour Izoukumor for the warm reception accorded the delegation despite the short notice of their visit.

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Comrade Ibanigo explained that the delegation had come to familiarize themselves with Chief Izoukumor whom they described as a big brother, mentor and leader as well as to appreciate him for his numerous contributions and support to the Ijaw people.

Acknowledging Chief Izoukumor’s support for youth and women empowerment initiatives, scholarships for indigent students as well as the annual bursary scheme implemented through the Commission, he commended the Executive Director for his efforts toward improving the welfare and opportunities available to the people of the region and prayed that God would continue to bless him and grant him success in his future endeavours.

Comrade Ibanigo also appealed for greater partnership and collaboration between the Ijaw Youth Council and the DESOPADEC Board, particularly in expanding the reach and impact of programmes and activities targeted at the development and empowerment of Ijaw youths.

The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm the importance of collaboration, youth development, empowerment and collective advocacy in advancing the interests and aspirations of the Ijaw people.

Present at the visit were the National Legal Adviser, Comrade Meshach N; Chief Frank Akiefa, National Financial Secretary; Boro Francis, Information Officer, Western Zone; Comrade Nicholas Igarama, Chairman, Western Zone and other members of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide.