Ijaw Nation seeks recognition for citizens from Nigeria

Ijaw Nation today sought for recognition for its subjects in the Nigerian State as they celebrated the 6th edition of the yearly pilgrimage to Agadagbabou, the Holy land of Ijaw Nation.The Ijaw Nation were represented by Ijaw monarchs from the Niger Delta region who just returned from an annual purification exercise in Bayelsa State yesterday.In a chat with newsmen at the Warri Club in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, the Pere of Agadagba of Ancient Ijo Gbaraun Kingdom in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, HRM. Egbesuwei Gbaraun X Opua Gbaraun Tibioku, Udeji, Ogonogbolo Kingdom said the Ijaws have been marginalized and cheated for a very long time.The reverred monarch said they (the Ijaw kings) were out to pray at the pilgrimage for the unity and development of the Ijaw Nation.He noted that the Ijaws have not been in unity in times past. "So, we pray to be united as Ijaw people to move forward to develope our place in the Niger Delta."While pointing out that the Ijaw people are in a "critical period" as the 2023 general elections draw near, HRM. Opua Gbaraun Tibioku urged the Ijaw people to elect people who are willing to attract development to Ijaw land."We pray to see that we get Ijaw leaders who are really ready to develop the area because we have not been able to get good leaders in Ijaw land."We need people that will become governor's, Assembly even the Presidency, we want the man that will recognize Ijaw man to be president of this Country including our State Governors. We need the right persons to be governors in the Country."HRM  Opua Gbaraun Tibioku who explained that the spiritual undertone of the pilgrimage to Agadagbabou said, "The mission is because we have been destabilized for a very long time from the onset. We realize that we have to come together."While noting that the Ijaws are spread all over the States in the Niger Delta region and to other tribes, HRM. Opua Gbaraun Tibioku said the Ijaw Nation has only one State which is Bayelsa State."We are the 4th largest tribe in this Country and they made us to have only one State whereas we could have up to four States of our own. So, we are praying to be one. We shouldn't be splitted and this is what the gods have told us to do."The gods of the land is angry in Nigeria as a long as the Ijaw people are not recognized and being them to be what they supposed to be, there will be no peace in Ijaw land or in the Country. So, we are moving forward to see that the Ijaws are one and we are willing to bring them together. We need to make sure that we get more States out of this Country."HRM. Opua Gbaraun Tibioku was flanked by HRM.Ogonikara Eseimokumo I, Oguruyeke Okirimini, the Pere and Paramount Ruler of Tubutoru Kingdom, Odigbo LGA, Ondo State; HRM Egbesuwei Gbanraun X, Opua Gbanraun Tibioku, Udeji, Ogonogbolo kirigbolo, the Pere and Agadagba of Ancient Ijo Gbanraun Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State; HRM,  Oboro-Gbanraun II, Kponkpontiti Kpontiti, Ogonogbolo Kirigbolo, Udeji, the Pere Aketekpe and Agadagba of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West LGA, Delta State; HRM Barr Doubra Egbunu, Opukutu III, the Agadagba and Paramount Ruler of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom, Ese Odo LGA, Ondo State; HRM Pere Roman Bohen, the Atunkpokubu, Traditional Ruler of Furupagha Kingdom, Ovia South West and Odigbo LGAs, Edo and Delta States; HRM, Joel Ibani, Ogiobo IX, the Grand Pere of Idiwuni Kingdom, Ikeremor LGA,  Bayelsa State; HRM Godwin Ogonyibo, Pere and Agadagba of Olodiama Kingdom in Ovia North East and Ovia South West LGAs of Edo State, after the annual purification exercise in Bayelsa State.