DUMO LULU-BRIGGS LEADS NEW INC BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS OKABA CHARGES MEMBERS ON UNITY, JUSTICE AND IJAW ADVANCEMENT

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DUMO LULU-BRIGGS LEADS NEW INC BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS OKABA CHARGES MEMBERS ON UNITY, JUSTICE AND IJAW ADVANCEMENT

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. 

The Ijaw Nation has entered a significant phase in its leadership journey following the formal inauguration of a new Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) at the historic Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

At the helm of the newly constituted Board is Opuda (Alabo) Dumo Lulu-Briggs as Chairman, alongside Chief M. O. E. Tiemo as Vice Chairman and High Chief Fidelis Agbiki as Secretary. Their emergence marks a strategic consolidation of experienced leadership aimed at strengthening the vision and direction of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, who delivered a comprehensive address and charge, outlining both the expectations and responsibilities of the new Trustees.

A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE IJAW NATION

In his address, Prof. Okaba described the inauguration as a moment of “history, responsibility, and hope,” noting that it follows closely after the ratification of nominees at the INC Non-Elective Convention held on March 6, 2026.

He emphasized that the occasion was not merely ceremonial but a deliberate effort to entrust the future of the Ijaw people into the hands of individuals of proven integrity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment.

According to him, the Board represents “the bridge between the Ijaw Nation’s storied past, turbulent present, and a prosperous, self-determining future.”

IJAW STRUGGLE AND NATIONAL RELEVANCE

Highlighting the longstanding challenges faced by the Ijaw people, the INC President reiterated issues of environmental degradation, political marginalization, and economic injustice, stressing that the struggle for resource control, equity, and constitutional recognition remains ongoing.

He reaffirmed that the INC continues to serve as the foremost platform driving the collective aspirations of the Ijaw Nation both locally and internationally.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 8TH NEC

Prof. Okaba also used the opportunity to outline major milestones recorded under the current National Executive Council (NEC), including:

Successful conduct of elections across all levels of the Congress

Hosting of the 4th All Ijaw Summit focused on the “Ijaw Question”

Strategic stakeholder engagements across the three zones

Advocacy visits to national and international institutions, including global forums

Digitalization of INC membership registration

Publication of policy-driven press statements on national issues

Resolution of internal disputes within Ijaw communities

Organization of the Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit on sustainability

Expansion and unification of affiliated Ijaw groups under the INC

Launch of the INC West African Chapter in Ghana

Recognition of 23 new clans to strengthen identity and unity

Promotion of Ijaw culture through academic publications

These achievements, he noted, reflect a deliberate effort to reposition the INC as a more structured, unified, and globally recognized body.

THE CHARGE TO THE NEW BOARD

Delivering a firm and visionary charge, Prof. Okaba outlined four core responsibilities for the new Board of Trustees:

Custodians of Ideals: Upholding the INC’s vision, constitution, and commitment to justice and development

Council of Wisdom: Providing strategic guidance and stability to the NEC

Strategic Overseers: Ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective management of resources

Unifiers of the Ijaw Nation: Promoting unity beyond political, clan, or sectional interests

He urged the Trustees to see their role not as ceremonial but as a call to higher service, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility and unwavering dedication.

CALL FOR UNITY AND SUPPORT

The INC President further called for sustained unity among Ijaw people, stressing that a united Ijaw Nation remains a formidable force in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

He also acknowledged the support of key stakeholders, particularly Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, describing them as pillars in the ongoing Ijaw struggle.

A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP

With high expectations from Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta and the diaspora, the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of the INC.

Stakeholders believe that under the leadership of Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the Board will strengthen institutional stability, deepen unity, and advance the cause of the Ijaw Nation on both national and global stages.

“Long live the Board of Trustees,

Long live the Ijaw National Congress,

Long live the Ijaw Nation.”

— Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba