Special Feature: Inside Story Of How Dr. Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku Rescued The Soul Of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)

Special Feature: Inside Story Of How Dr. Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku Rescued The Soul Of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)

Wisdom Ikuli

The history of the most revered Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) shall be incomplete, doctored and grossly mutilated without the mention of Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku.

Now, it is important to note that before the formation of IYC, there were so many pro-Ijaw right groups that were fighting against the ills that were perpetrated against our great people. But the need to have a harmonized position on key issues gave birth to IYC.

Some of the groups which also participated in the famous and historic 11th December, 1998 KAIAMA DECLARATION include; Ijaw Council for Human Rights (ICHR), the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSEIND), Elimotu Movement, Meinbutu, the Ijaw Justice Association, Arogbo Freedom Fighters, Ogbe-Ijoh Justice Front, Ijaw National Congress in the United States of America (INCUSA), Bayelsa Youth Federation (BAYOF), Adaka Marine, Ijaw Peace Movement, Okpolom Imo Engenni, the Nembe 1895 Movement, National Union of Izon-Ibe Students (NUIS), National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS), etc.

So one will not be wrong if you describe IYC as an embodiment and conglomeration of many groups that were all devoted and committed to the emancipation cum liberation of our great people from economic and political servitude.

Before narrowing to the crux, it is pertinent to highlight the various Epochs, Stages and Phases of the Niger Delta Renaissance and Struggle beginning with the Legitimate cum Slave Trade Era where our great Kings like King Jaja of Opobo, King William Fredrick Koko of Nembe, King Amakiri (Amachree) of Kalabari, King Ibanichuka of Okrika, King Akalisuo of Okarki-Engenni, King Nana of Itsekiri, Oba Ovoramwen N'gbaisi of Benin and other Kings fought against the European explorers, adventurers and imperialists.

The Second Epoch which was the Intellectual Phase of the struggle was led by High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Chief (Sen.) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo, HRM Frank Opigo, Prof. JP Clark through his intellectual works.

The Third Epoch which was Armed Struggle against the Nigerian State was led by Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, Captain George Amangala, Captain Boardman Nyananyo, Captain Samuel Owonaru, Lieutenant Nottingham Dick and others in the Twelve Day Revolution that led to the declaration of the first Country (Niger Delta Republic) in Nigeria after the post-1914 Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates.

The Fourth Epoch which is the Ogoni Struggle was led by Kenule Beesom Saro-Wiwa.

 The Fifth Epoch which I describe as the Reawakening Renaissance Era after the formation of the MOVEMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE IJAW ETHNIC NATIONALITY IN THE NIGER DELTA (MOSEIND) was led by Chief (Elder) Timi Kay Ogoriba. MOSEIND activities and its ability to mobilize and also reunite all Ijaw people after the Boro Revolution of 1966, led to the formation of the most revered IJAW  YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC). But before IYC, our great leaders and fathers like Chief Dr. Harold Dappa-Biriye who was getting old by then alongside Chief F.H.E Brisibe, Chief George A. Weikezi started the movement for the formation of the exalted IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC). The historic meetings of 25th, 29th and 30th October, 1991 that gave birth to INC were held at the residence of Chief George A. Weikezi at No. 29 Calcutta Crescent, Apapa-Lagos.

The Sixth Epoch which is fused with the 7th Phase is the Contemporary Struggle where Chief Timi Kay Ogoriba, Barr. Oronto Natei Oronto, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, Dr. Isaac Asume Osuoka aka Thomas Sankara, Dr. Patterson Ogon, Sergeant Weinipre Digifa, Kuromiema Miabiye, Famous Daunemigha, Ebi Waribigha, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Ann Kio-Briggs, Mummy Primrose Kpokposei, Elfreda Olungwe, Rosebella Jackson, Dr. Oboko Bello, Elder Tunde Anaye-Kio aka CIA, Dimieari Von Kemedi, King Ateke Michael Tom, Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo GOC, Henry Okah, Patrick Ziedekie Akpobolekemi, Hendrick Opukeme, Peterside Sofiri, Doifie Buokaribo, Nnimmo Bassey and other leaders led and also played the most prominent and very commendable roles.

The above list shall be incomplete without paying tribute to Chief (Dr.) M.T. Akobo a refined Ijaw man from Kalabari Kingdom. He was a former Federal Minister of Petroleum. He was the owner of No. 13 Agudama Street in D/Line, Diobu Port Harcourt. ERA office was situate there and later, Alhaji (Alabo) Mujahid Asari Dokubo also occupied part of the building. This great leader beside giving out his building free to serve as a meeting place for Ijaw youths also served as father to all Ijaw youths without discrimination. He was even arrested because of IYC.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF IYC

Thousands of Ijaw youths and non-Ijaws have gained employments through IYC. Same way many have gotten University scholarships both home and abroad through IYC. One cannot count university admissions that are secured through IYC but above all, IYC has helped to foster peace and unity among Ijaw youths.

DR. KINGSLEY KEMEBRADIGHA KUKU AND IYC

Beside contributing and also making immeasurable and invaluable sacrifices before and during the formative stage of IYC, Elder Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku has remained a strong pillar behind the success story of IYC.

IYC would have been history but for the strategic role that Kuku played during the 2010 National Convention at Ogulagha in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Before then, some individuals wanted to hijack the Council to front and also promote their inordinate ambitions.

In the history of IYC, there have never been any election where Delegates were paid up to Three Hundred Thousand (#300,000) Naira by an Aspirant except in that election.

Some notable Aspirants in that election drove on long convoys and spent Millions of Naira on campaign. It would have been an election where the highest Bidders would have had the day. I remember, I contested for the revered Office of the National Spokesman with four other noble Ijaw youths and came second.

Dr. Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee never allowed the money bags to influence him. He stood his ground and insisted on doing the right thing. He never allowed anybody to influence him. Almost all Ijaw leaders in the struggle were there. Even Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo GOC was in Ogulagha his maternal community, even though he never went close to the venue. Ironically, his Candidate for Secretary General  failed.

Chief (Hon.) Farah Dagogo was also at the venue of the election but his presence did not save his presidential Candidate: Eferebo.

Alhaji Asari Dokubo's presence never influenced the victory of his wife Mrs. Caroline Asari Dokubo aka Mama Aluta who won with less than five votes due to her popularity and sacrifices in the struggle.

General Sobomabo Jackreece aka General Egberipapa also failed the IYC Presidency during that election.

We had a replay of almost the above scene at Okrika during the 2017 National Convention that was hosted by King Ateke Michael Tom who spent millions to host thousands of Ijaw youths for days but ironically, none of his Candidates won. The Elder Ebi Waribigha aka Skido never allowed external influence. They conducted a free, fair and credible election.

The forthcoming 2020 National Convention of IYC should be a great thing of concern to all sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation especially the way and manner some elders and leaders of IYC are going about the process.

IYC can never be sold to the highest bidder. IYC is presently serving as the most vocal mouthpiece of our great people, thus we can never make the mistake of handing over IYC to few persons who want to use the Council to further their personal inordinate ambitions. We cannot hand over IYC to any President who will do the biddings of external forces who want to use IYC to promote their personal agenda.

We want an IYC President that is well grounded on the issues of the Niger Delta Question. We want an IYC President that is very experienced. We want a President that is eloquent, articulate, vibrant, courageous, audacious, sagacious and very vast. We want a President that can stand and address the United Nations General Assembly, the US Congress and any other congregation. We want an IYC President that will be a Resource Person wherever he goes as a Worthy Ambassador of the Ijaw nation.

We do not want a President that belong or identify with any political party. We do not want a President that is sponsored by an individual and will later serve as a stooge and puppet to those individuals. We want a President that will be President and Servant of all Ijaw people. We want a President that will truly serve as the CROWN PRINCE OF THE IJAW NATION and not a stooge and puppet to any individual.

Haa Izon!

Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Former National Director of Mobilization & Chairman, Action Committee IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) WORLDWIDE cum Mirror and Conscience of Society.