Nengi James And The Rebirth Of Ijaw National Congress INC, (Part II).
G.T. Okorobia
A call for hygiene in Ijaw National Politics, especially the processes leading to the constitution of the leadership architecture of INC, and the development question of Ijaw National Ethnicity , is as topical as it is relevant. Hence, I urge everyone involve in the electioneering process (Electoral Committee, Steering Committee, CITRE, and other well-meaning stakeholders) and all aspirants to put Ijaw interests over and above personal interests and pecuniary embellishments. I implore and entreat all involves to be civil, patriotic, selfless and democratic in their conducts before, during and after the elections. Our INTERNAL PEACE, UNITY and DEVELOPMENT is as sacred as our existence. The collective and cumulative interest of Ijaw nation is SUPREME and NON-NEGOTIABLE. The Ijaw Nation, Nigeria and the entire world is watching. Let us not behave like "orphans with parents". Therefore, all actors should know that, supporting a particular candidate to the detriment of Ijaw national peace and unity, and by extension disrupting peaceful elections and promoting violence and thuggery, would not make you an HERO in Ijaw Land - we know our Heroes. All the candidates are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and kinsmen. Therefore, rather than fighting ourselves and promoting internal wrangling, let us garner our mental, physical, spiritual, financial, political and intellectual resources to foster internal peace and democracy and collectively work for the socio-political stability and economic prosperity of our land. For this reason, all aspirants and delegates should be given equal opportunity and fair level playing ground to exercise their franchise in the spirit of sportsmanship and brotherhood. Delegates should say NO to candidates' imposition. NO MAN OR SET OF FEW ELITES IS BIGGER THAN IJAW NATION.
For the purpose of historical beauty and its cognitive tendency, IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS, was founded with the indubitable aim of fostering UNITY and COMMON PURPOSE among Ijaw National Ethnicity. Its first non-elective convention was held at Patani, Delta State, which produced the erudite scholar and theologian, Professor Dime as its first President in 1991. Afterwards, Chief Joshua Femode emerged as the first elected President of CONGRESS which took place at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. And the history is to be told later.
The thrust of this writing is the Personality Question of a man who is rich in human Content vis-a-vis ideological, charismatic, visionary, purposeful, articulate and vibrant, Chief Nengi James. The motto of INC is "LEADERSHIP BY SERVICE". For service is the kernel of leadership. Of course, only few individuals are passionate for service when given the opportunity to lead. That is why we don't need people who are leaders as mere occupants of leadership position but leaders who are service focus and oriented. Not surprisingly, Chief Nengi James has exemplify himself with this quality. He's service-worthy. He's service oriented. He has given service to humanity, especially the Ijaw nation. This is evident in the various capacities he has served the Ijaw nation.
The INC in this critical moment of its evolution and resuscitation needs a team of leaders with the necessary will-power and charisma and sincerity of purpose to uphold, maintain and sustain its (INC) aims and objectives as enshrined in Article 7 of the Constitution of Ijaw National Congress (as reviewed 2019). And having Chief Nengi James in the team of leaders as VICE PRESIDENT 2 (Central Zone), is the best thing that can happen in INC now. And just like the exactitude of a Jewish prophet, It is my considered opinion and humble submission that, we need to get INC right with the rights leaders. And when once we restructure INC in the right direction and for the right purpose, we'll certitudely get the Youth Wing (IYC) right as well. And put an end to all these unhealthy polarisations and factionalism that had marred our collective image, unity and consensus of minds in making policy statements and in the fight for our socio-political freedom and fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
As a socio-cultural organization established to protect the common cultural values of IJaw Ethnic Nationality, INC, needs men and women of high cultural values; proven integrity and depicted readiness and passion to protect and preserve our cultural heritage, to chair and engineer its leadership architecture. And Chief Nengi James first come to mind as a Cultural Ambassador; a man of proven integrity, impressive moral record, sterling leadership dexterity, and whose dedication and contributions towards the preservation of Ijaw cultural heritage is never in doubt. He's not just a traditional title hider but a man of high cultural values. He's fully abreast with Ijaw traditional norms and values. Equally, he had traveled to almost all the Clans in Ijaw Land. He deserve this post more than his opponent. Chief Nengi James is a living epistle of Ijaw cultural values and history.
INC, as a non-partisan body with the unarguable purpose of uniting all Ijaw sons and daughters under one umbrella body, does not need people with uncriticized political assumptions, sentiments, biases and affiliations, capable of polarising and dividing Ijaw nation along party politics, as its leaders. Equally, Chief Nengi James also pass this fundamental test, as he's not a card carrying member of any political party. He had shown high level of maturity and neutrality in his political thoughts and discussions. He always expressed his feelings and thoughts according to the general will of the masses. He has been an independent voice with an impressive track record of integrity, professionalism and truth-advocacy.
As a pressure group, aimed at advocating for improve standard of living, socio-economic advancement, environmental/ecological protection and regeneration,and equitable distribution of wealth, INC, is the umbrella body of all socio-cultural pressure groups in Ijaw territory, and as such, we need credible people with proven track record of advocacy, activism and selfless services to the entire Ijaw nation. We can't allow 'political activists and agitators' to speak for us anymore. Nengi James has cut his teeth in the agitation of our people for a better deal. He has made a place for himself in the landscape of struggle icons. Unarguably, for the office of INC VICE PRESIDENT 2, Chief Nengi James is the man this cap of leadership best fit now.
Now is the time to eschew and shun any divisive tendencies in Ijaw nation. Now is the time to allow justice prevail and reign in all the nook and cranny of Ijaw land. Now is the time to rebuild the broken walls of development and consensus of minds and unity of purpose in Ijaw nation. Now is the time to re-brand and rebuild our image as people of truth and justice. Now is the time to rise tall and with one voice in defense and protection of our degraded and despoiled environment by the Multinationals. My elders, now is the time to fight against underdevelopment, horizontal inequality, sub regional terrorism, illiteracy and poverty. Now is the time for the Ijaw nation to rise in oneness and have her place among the comity of socio-cultural groups in Nigeria such as Arewa Consultative Forum; Afenefere; Indigbo Ohaneze among others. We must never forget that, we are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria and contributes to over 80 percent of Nigeria's Foreign Exchange. Now is the time to fight for our common unity. Now is the time to preach peace and brotherliness. Now is the time to consolidate the patriotic spirits and and selfless visions of our Founding Fathers and Heroes. Now is the time to rise in oneness to Restructure Ourselves and then the Question of Restructuring in Nigeria. Now is the time to facilitate rapid and sustainable development of the Ijaw Nation into a nation that is economically viable and prosperous, socially stable, environmentally regenerative and politically peaceful through a vibrant and formidable INC leadership. It is not later but now is the time for the rebirth of INC in the spirit and zeal of its Founding Days. Now is the time for the Ijaw nation to elect the right people in INC. Now is the time for Chief Nengi James to be elected as VICE PRESIDENT 2 of Ijaw National Congress.
Alabo Nengi James (The Living Oracle) is an epitome of social justice and crusader of people's rights. Fearless, bold, vibrant, passionate, ethical, trustworthy and advocate of social equality and good governance. No wonder he belongs to several international reputable organizations such as Amnesty International, Chartered Institute for Practicing Professionals (USA), World Prayer Society for Peace, among several others. He's a fearless advocate of the down-trodden. Alabo Nengi James has the uncommon zeal and passion to serve the Ijaw National Ethnicity as the VICE PRESIDENT 2 of the Ijaw National Congress. And certainly, he will bring his wealth of experience garnered from the many positions he had held over the years to bear on the present position when elected.
Chief Nengi James has membership in several reputable Professional Organizations and Civil Society Groups, such as, Nigeria Institute for Management (Chartered); Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(Chartered); Nigeria Gas Association; Nigeria Environmental Society; Institute for Chartered Mediators and Conciliators; Society for Peace Studies and Practices; Chartered Institute of Practicing Professionals, USA, etc.
Membership of Civil Society Groups are, National Youth Leader, South-South People's Conference; Founder/Pioneer President, Bayelsa Youth Federation; Organizing Secretary, Bayelsa State Founders Forum; Chairman, Civil Liberty Organizations (Bayelsa State); Founder, Nengi James Foundation; National Coordinator, Association of Rural Chiefs for Peace and Development, among others.
"The Living Oracle", as he's fondly called, has served the Ijaw Nation diligently in several leadership positions. His service records to the larger Ijaw Nation are: Former Member of INC National Representative Council; Former Nembe INC Clan Chairman; Co-founder of Ijaw Youth Council; Secretary, IYC Constitutional Review Committee; Former IYC National Financial Secretary; Former Acting President, Ijaw Youth Council, etc.
Royal Chief Alabo Nengi James (THE LIVING ORACLE) is a UN-POLAC Peace Ambassador, Cultural Ambassador, Philanthropist, Mentor, Patron, Advisor, Environmentalist, Human Rights Advocate, Social Critic and analyst, and the current Spokesman of Nembe Chiefs Council. He's a Public Servant of over 20 years working experience, and as well a proud family man. He has co-authored not less than three books and contributed to several learned journals.
This highly revered Nembe born Chief is a proud recipient of over 70 international and national awards. He also holds the dignified and revered chieftaincy titles of SEI-EBI DOU-OWEI OF NIGER DELTA and the GESIEYE-MIEN-OWEI OF BAYELSA STATE.
To this end, it is clearer than crystal that Chief Nengi James is the best man for the office of INC VICE PRESIDENT 2 (CEBTRAL).
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