WELCOME ADDRESS: Presented by Dr. Matthew O. Sikpi at
the 2003 “BORO DAY
OBSERVANCE” & 5th Annual INAA “Service & Devotion Award”.
The keynote speaker Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa, Ambassador Mrs. Kurubo;
distinguished panelists- Professor Peter Ekeh, Attorney Oronto Douglas,
and Mrs. Umoh; the delegates of the Ijaw organizations represented here;
and distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas (INAA), I welcome
you all tonight, to the “2003 BORO DAY OBDERVANCE” and the
5th Annual INAA Service and Devotion Award Ceremonies. On this occasion,
we honor and celebrate the lives of two illustrious Ijaw sons- Isaac
Jasper Adaka Boro and Brigadier-General George Kurubo.
Isaac Adaka Boro died about 35 years ago, but remains, arguably, the
icon of the struggles and yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta
for fair and just treatment by the Nigerian Government.
In 1966, Isaac Adaka Boro, a young Chemistry graduate of the University
of Nsukka, carried out a revolution in Nigeria so that all Nigerians,
irrespective of their ethnic origin, are treated fairly and has the opportunity
to succeed in life. In his quest for justice and fairness, Adaka Boro
confronted the then Government of Nigeria to change the inequities and
injustices in the treatment of its own citizens in the Niger delta. Isaac
Boro risked his life to challenge the government so that all Nigerians,
including those of minority tribes, are treated justly and fairly.
Isaac Boro’s revolution, arguably, resulted in the creation of
states, and subsequently greater autonomy and self-determination, for
the people of the Niger Delta. I must say that, many of us
here, including myself, benefited one way or the other from the actions
of this man in 1966.
Every year, from May 16 to May 23, Ijaws and others in Nigeria and abroad
who cherish the tenets of justice, celebrate the life and legacy of Isaac
Adaka Boro. Today, we, like thousands last week, observe “Boro
day” that is dedicated to honor this courageous and visionary son
of the Niger Delta.
On this occasion, we shall also present the 5th Annual INAA Service & Devotion
Award, which recognizes individuals and/or groups that have made personal
and selfless sacrifices to advance the Ijaw people. Past honorees of
this Award include Isaac Adaka Boro; Chief Dappa-Biriye, a pioneer in
the struggle for self governance in the Niger Delta; and Chief Alfred
Diete-Spiff, the first governor of Rivers State. Today, INAA presents
this prestigious award to another Ijaw son Brigadier-General George Kurubo.
Since a significant portion of this occasion shall be devoted to the
Award presentation, I shall not comment any further on General Kurubo.
The “Boro-Day Celebration” and the “Annual Service
and Devotion Award” are very important components of INAA’s
strategic plan. The organization celebrates the life of Adaka Boro and
other Ijaw sons like George Kurubo, so that their contributions to Ijaw
land and the Niger Delta are not forgotten. But more importantly, the
organization uses this occasion to bring together people of the Niger
Delta, particularly Ijaws, to reflect on Boro’s vision for the
people of the
Niger Delta, to reckon our progress and shortfalls, and to plan for
the future. To this end, INAA sponsors a conference, amongst other activities,
during the celebration each year. As indicated in the program, a symposium
entitled “The Ijaw, the Niger Delta, the Nigerian 3rd Republic”,
follows after my presentation.
My fellow Ijaws and Nigerians, more than thirty-five years after Isaac
Adaka Boro’s efforts, the problems in the Niger Delta and in the
Nigerian system that led to his actions have been solved. Unfortunately,
they still linger. Obviously, the political landscape has changed since
Boro’s revolution. Today, we have several states in the Niger Delta.
However, the Federal and State governments have failed to address the
fundamental issues that caused the revolution. In fact, in many areas,
the situation has worsened.
In the Niger Delta, environmental degradation has worsened as a result
of increased oil exploration and exploitation by the Cheveron, Texaco,
Exxon-Mobil, and other multinational
Companies. Our lands are barren and our rivers devoid of fish because
of continued pollution. For a people whose primary occupations are farming
and fishing, the major source of livelihood for the people of the Niger
Delta is almost completely destroyed. Without any research to determine
the health and other effects, either directly or indirectly from the
pollution, only God knows how the activities of these oil companies have
affected the lives of our people.
Further, the cornerstone of Boro’s revolution for a greater control
of the resources from their land by the people of the Niger Delta remains
unfulfilled. Thus, the main resource- crude oil- that God has endowed
on Ijaw land and the rest of the Niger Delta is controlled by the central
government. And while the Niger Delta wallows in poverty, the enormous
wealth derived from the area is used to develop other parts of the country.
The present conditions in Ijaw land and the rest of the Niger Delta,
and in Nigeria for that matter, are not acceptable. The Niger Delta and
other regions of Nigeria must have the freedom to determine their future
without interference from the Nigeria government. The Boro’s and
SaroWiwa’s are gone. And others like Chief E. K. Clark’s,
Chief Dappa-Biriye and Senator David Dafinone, who are leaders in the
struggle for fairness and justice for the people of the
Niger Delta, are getting old and getting weaker by the day. It’s
now our turn to take the mantle and continue to advocate for changes
that will make life better for the Ijaw and other Nigerians. That much,
we owe to our children and grandchildren.
My fellow comrades in the Diaspora, INAA do not have the recipe or the
magic wand to solve all of our problems. However, as we face the challenges
now and in the future, we must be united in our efforts to help in the
development of Ijaw land and the Niger Delta. As the saying goes, “United
we stand, divided we fall”. To my brothers and sisters who are
here to represent the various Ijaw organizations, I must emphasize the
need for unity. We must be united in our resolve to improve the conditions
of our homeland even if we belong to different organizations and may
differ in our approach to achieving our goal to help improve Ijaw land
and the Niger Delta. Organizations such as the Ijaw National Congress
must work more closely with other organizations in Nigeria and those
in the Diaspora. We must coordinate our activities and be more focused
in our efforts. I believe that the meeting of all Ijaws held earlier
today, is a step in the right direction. But let it be the beginning
of stronger ties amongst Ijaw organizations in the Diaspora and between
organizations in Nigeria and those of us in the Diaspora.
As the Ijaw National Alliance of the Americas honors Isaac Adaka Boro
and George Kurubo, the organization would also like to pay tribute to
Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Ken SaroWiwa, Chief Edwin Clark, Senator David
Dafinone, and all those who have fought or are still fighting to defend
fairness, justice and equity. INAA as well as people around the world
cherish their efforts
because ideals like service, devotion, justice and equality are fundamental
to human existence. Their steadfastness stimulates us all. Indeed, the
Ijaw needs the stimulation to move beyond the present.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you all, once again, for making
out the time to come out today to celebrate with the INAA family. Some
of you came from as far as Nigeria and England. We are truly grateful.
God Bless the people of the Niger Delta. God Bless Nigeria. God Bless
the United States of America.
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