WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
Many scholars and authors have written about the origin of the Ijaw tribe. But before proceeding further, it is pertinent to establish the fact that every writer writes from a biased and sentimental standpoint and perspective. It only takes or requires another writer to identify inherent biases, especially when they are very glaring.
So, while there are several versions about Ijaw aborigine like the Yoruba myth in their creation story, i subscribe to the version about the events at the building of the Tower of Babel as recorded in the book of Genesis 11:1-9.
The above account talks about how a unified humanity, settling in Shinar after the flood, tried to build a city and a tower reaching heaven to make a name for themselves.
Viewing this as prideful rebellion, God confused their languages, forcing them to stop building and scatter across the earth.
In the above story, there are three key elements or things that are very prevalent around Ijaws,
which are: flood, Izon language, and many dialects and prideful rebellion.
After the ugly incident at Shina that is within the present day Middle East, the vast majority of the people occupied what is now known as the geographic Niger Delta region.
Ijaws share many things in common with the Jewish people. Ijaw Nation is blessed with abundant human and natural resources.
Ijaws are blessed with special divine graces that make them very outstanding wherever they go or they find themselves.
When an Ijaw person finds his or herself in the midst of other tribes consciously and unconsciously, he or she shines out and also dominates. Ijaws are likened to the gold fish that does not have a hiding place.
Let us look at the Nigerian state and the geographic Niger Delta region in particular.
Is it by mistake that Ijaw people are the first people that had direct encounter with the European adventurers and explorers?
Is it by mistake that crude oil and gas were first discovered in the whole of West Africa in Ijaw land precisely at Otabagi-Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1956?
Is it by mistake that Almighty God used Ijaw Nation to save Nigeria from disintegration during the Civil War?
Is it by mistake that what we have today as Nigeria started in Ijaw land precisely at Akassa in present-day Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1895 after the infamous “AKASSA RAID OF 1895” and the global condemnation of the massacre of over 2000 Ijaws mostly women and children?
Is it by mistake that Ijaw Nation owns well over 65% of the crude oil and gas which is the economy mainstay of Nigeria?
Is it by mistake that the first Vice President of Nigeria from the South South geopolitical zone is an Ijaw man in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan?
Is it by mistake that the first President of Nigeria from the South South region is an Ijaw man in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan?
If it is agreed or established that the above facts are not mistakes then truly, there is something very special about Ijaw Nation and her great people.
Like the Jews, the abundant blessings of God that He has bestowed on Ijaw people are attracting unimaginable envy and jealousy to them.
Like the Jews, Ijaws are treated as endangered species. There are many aggressors who are seeking to exterminate and annihilate them.
But unlike the Jews, Ijaws have never been conquered by their enemies, including the European adventurers and explorers who later transformed themselves to colonial administrators.
Their inability to conquer Ijaws who were hitherto their equal trade partners during the legitimate trade era made them to deliberately balkanize Ijaws into smaller units in their bid to weaken them.
THE NEED FOR SELF-REINVENTION
Self-reinvention here means the intentional process of transforming your life, identity, and behaviour to align with new goals, values or circumstances.
Presently, Nigeria is at a defining moment, and Ijaw Nation is facing existential threats, the type it has never experienced in decades. Foreigners are invading Ijaw land and committing all kinds of evil and atrocities.
The Jews in the Modern State of Israel that was established in 1948 always disagree amongst themselves. They disagree based on economic and political interest. They fight and antagonize themselves internally, but they don’t joke or compromise when it gets to their choice of leadership.
The Jews know that they are surrounded by enemies who are looking for every opportunity to annihilate them, thus, they do not joke or compromise in their choice of leaders.
They always chose people who are equal to the task of defending the territorial integrity of the Jewish people against external aggression.
Sadly, Ijaw Nation is plagued with a very Faulty Leadership Recruitment Process. In the same way, it has a very Faulty Reward System.
When it gets to choice of leadership, the Jews jettison personal, parochial interest, or enmity.
They settle for the best knowing that the State of Israel must continue to exist before their individual interest can be promoted or guaranteed. So at all times, they place their collective interest above personal interest.
The Yorubas have built Lagos State and a very thriving economy. Lagos State is like a country in a country.
The North have built Kano State and Kaduna State that serve as their economic and political capitals respectively.
The Igbos have built Enugu, Owerri, Aba, and Onitsha as their political and economic capitals.
Where does Ijaw Nation that is the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria, have that qualifies as economic and political capital?
In other climes, they select the best brains and assign them responsibilities, which is the reason and secret behind their economic and political prosperity.
Ijaws are naturally more blessed than most tribes in Nigeria and beyond, but their inability to identify and engage their best brains is affecting their socio-economic and political growth and development.
Moving forward, Ijaws should stop treating their best brains and intellectual reservoirs like endangered species.
It is time for the whole Ijaw Nation to join hands to build Bayelsa State that is the only homogeneous Ijaw state and home of Ijaw people all over the world.
Ijaw Nation is endowed with some of the best brains. Bayelsa State on the other hand is blessed with abundant natural resources.
Ijaws should support the ongoing INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration under the stewardship of Gov. Douye Diri.
When Ijaws reinvent themselves, they will be able to build a great country in a country like the Yorubas, Hausa-Fulanis and Igbos.
The great people of Akwa Ibom state have the above consciousness which is the reason successive administrations in the state are sustaining the vision of Chief (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Gov. Douye Diri is laying the glorious and prosperous foundation that needs to be complemented and sustained by successive administrations.
– HON. WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI