Bring Developement to ljaw nation, Tamsokunbiri, Okolo tell ljaw leaders

Bring Developement to ljaw nation, Tamsokunbiri, Okolo tell ljaw leaders 

... As Nengi James, Binaebi, Alagoa, Okotete Saibakumo, Elaweremi, others bagged ljaw National Merit Award 

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa ______ The 7th Edition of Proudly ljaw National Merit Award, PRINMA Award Symposium 2023 was successfully held on Sunday 26th November, 2023 at Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital with many dignitaries in attendance from all walks of life across the Niger Delta Region.

This year's edition was chaired by the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in National Assembly Abuja, Hon. Fred Agbedi.

In his opening address, the organizer/CEO PRINMA, the proudly ljaw Ambassador, Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD, thanked and appreciated ljaw people, especially those that graced the 7th edition of PRINMA Award 2023.

He said the focal point of PRINMA is to advocate for ljaw unity, good governance, ljaw nation development and the wayforward.

Tamsokunbiri reiterated that ljaw nation is richly blessed with abundance natural resources of oil and gas but disunity and bad leadership had brought underdevelopment to the region.

He stressed that the pains of ljaw nation underdevelopment and disunity amongst ourselves provoked him to come up with PRINMA to unite us together as ljaw people, as well as to discuss the wayforward for ljaw nation development.

He noted that Proudly ljaw National Merit Award, PRINMA was also packaged to recognize and appreciate illustrious sons and daughters of ljaw nation who had rendered selfless humanitarian services to the society as well as contributed immensely towards the development of ljaw nation.

Speaking on the 'Theme' ljaw Unity, Leadership and Educational lnstitutes and ljaw Development, the keynote speaker, Prof. Okolo Philips PHD, said the ljaw people in the Niger Delta were very free, unique and united before the 1914 Amalgamation by the colonial masters. 

He noted that the ljaws have a unified leadership structure in their various communities and kingdoms.They have common interest, unity of purpose and lived peacefully among themselves and her neighbors in the past.

He emphasized that it was the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates by the colonial masters,  the British Government of divide and rule system that brought disunity among the ljaws. He however noted that despite the problems of colonial masters, the ljaws still have some internal problems ranging from bad leadership, pull him down syndrome among others.

Emphasizing on underdevelopment of ljaw nation, Prof. Okolo identified lack of unity, bad leadership and absence of accessable quality federal and state educational institutions in ljaw land as a major problem.

Prof. Okolo concluded by calling on ljaws, both the business and political class to be united devoid of political party's in order to attract even development to ljaw nation.

The lecture was immediately followed by presentation of awards to various recipients by the CEO PRINMA, Hon. Tamsokunbiri in recognition of their selfless services to humanity as well as their contributions to ljaw nation development.

Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Dr. Felix Tuodolo appreciated the organizer of PRINMA, Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD for the good work he is doing for ljaw nation. 

He further urged ljaw illustrious sons and daughters to continue do their best for the over all development of ljaw nation, adding that one day God will reward them for their sacrifice.

The event also featured display of comedy by Mr. Right Eyerin as well as display of promoter of ljaw traditional songs by FC Story Teller amongst other side attractions.

However, amongst those in attendance at the event include a renowned Niger Delta Environmental Rights activist, Comrade Morris Alagoa, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Prof. Okolo Philips PHD, ljaw Yin Hon. Barr. Chief. Motere Juliet Yeiwareneghan, Dr. Ahmed Saibakumo, High Chief. Alabo Nengi James, Chief. Tokunbo Godspower Binaebi, Dr. Collins Okotete, Actor Glean Elaweremi, Sir Bright Maya, CEO Bolowou Resort, FC Story Teller, Mr. Right Eyerin among many others.