Ijaw students in higher institution of learning nationwide under the aegis of the National Union of Izon?-Ibie Students, on Saturday endorsed the decision of the leadership of the umbrella group of Ijaw Youths worldwide, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) to declare support for the proposed plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the contentious issues of the region.

The leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) led by President Udengs Eradiri had last Thursday urged new militant group unleashing violence and bombing pipelines along the creeks and waterways of the region to sheaths their swords and allow President Muhammadu Buhari to implement his developmental projects in the region.The Statement further said though the activities of the new militant groups and breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta are largely attributed to the shortage of funding to the Amnesty office and other Niger Delta intervention agencies, the new militant groups should see the recent letter the President sent to the National Assembly seeking more funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) a sign that he is a listening President.
The Ijaw Students under the aegis of Izon-Ibie Students, in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Socials, Comrade Bodmas P. Kemepadei stated that the students community commend the style of leadership of the IYC,"we incerely want to thank the President of Ijaw youths council worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri for being so vocal to the Plights of Ijaw people, we could recall vividly, the IYC President led a Protest in Yenagoa, where Ijaw youths demanded for proper funding of Niger Delta Agencies, like the Amnesty programme, NDDC amongst many, following neglection by Buhari led administration on Niger Delta people."

"Today, that Protest has Yielded Positive result, we can now see that President Muhammadu Buhari has given it a listening ear by sending a letter to the Senate demanding for more funding of the Amnesty Programme.I also want to use this medium to advise those that have been paid to disorganise Ijaw people and Distract our President to immediately have a rethink and redirects their Energy for the good of Ijaw people."

"Udengs Eradiri has the mandate of Ijaw people to speak and consolidate on our behalf, I will further advise NGOS operating in the region not to meddle in the affairs that has to do with the entirety of Ijaw people for their selfish purposes, there are only three groups recognised and saddled with the responsibility to lead Ijaw People, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) made up of our father's and mother's, The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, made up of all Ijaw youths and the National Union of Izon-Ibe students (NUIS) Worldwide made up of all Ijaw students and students groups operating in Ijaw Land, apart from these aforementioned bodies, no other has the mandate to speak for Ijaw people in the described categories."

"While I thank the IYC President, I also wish to state that unity is the only way to move our region forward, i am therefore informing all Leaders and youths of the region to make themselves available for the Mr and Miss izon-ibe cultural Pageant that is aimed at promoting our rich cultural heritage and to foster unity, With the death of culture every society will suffer identity loss and identity loss most often reduces a society to poverty, insecurity, political oblivion, social disharmony, religious discontentment and a myriad of other issues affecting us today"

"The event will feature Panel Discussions, music, dance, drama, prognosis and analysis of the current status of the Ijaw nation, book presentation, question and answer session and of course the pageantry, all fine tuned to achieving unity. The event will hold on December 9th at Matho Crystal Hotel Yenagoa, under the distinguished chairmanship of Amb. Preye Ekpebide, thanks to leaders in persons of, Hon. Osomkime Blankson, Arc. Miebi Bribena, Hon. Prince Gabriel Jonah, Barr. Tare Porri, Master Africanus Ukparasia, Hon. Tari Konyefa and a host of others for their support towards actualizing this event in pursuit of a united Ijaw people."

Source: http://nigerianewstoday.com.ng/ijaw-students-back-iyc-over-support-for-pmbs-plan-for-niger-delta/