IYC Must Return to Its Founding Ideals – Amb. Adam E. O. O. Marbo

 

📰 IYC Must Return to Its Founding Ideals – Amb. Adam E. O. O. Marbo

✍️ By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
📅 Friday, 19th September 2025
📞 Global Egberi Media International | +234 813 490 2214

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The National President of the Niger Delta Peace Youth Leaders Forum (ND-PYLF), Chief Diplomat Amb. Adam E. O. O. Marbo, popularly called “The Voice of the Voiceless”, has raised deep concerns over the current state of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), accusing its present handlers of deviating from the original vision of the organisation.

In a strongly worded statement made available to Global Egberi Media International, Amb. Marbo lamented that the IYC — once seen as a radical and uncompromising voice for the Ijaw nation — has gradually been reduced to an organisation driven by political interests and personal gains.

“Today, when you tell them the truth, you become their enemy. When they are looking for positions, they act like champions of social change, but once they get what they want, it becomes a game of ‘what can I personally benefit’,” Amb. Marbo declared.

He recalled how many Ijaw youths trusted the current handlers during the electioneering period in Bayelsa State, voting for them wholeheartedly and believing that they would bring positive change. However, according to him, the present reality shows a shift from collective struggle to selfish politics.

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Call for Ideological Reform

Amb. Marbo stressed that the IYC must be restructured and transformed into an ideological institution where the unity of Ijaw youths is non-negotiable. He called for the use of seminars, orientation programmes, and structured engagements at the clan, zonal, and chapter levels to address community problems and strengthen solidarity.

“The Ijaw Youth Council worldwide was established for the purpose of resources control and self-determination, not for the pursuit of personal pockets or partisan political interest,” he said.

He further insisted that no politician should come to seek votes in Ijaw territories without first aligning with the mantra of resources control, self-determination, and the unity of the Ijaw nation.

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Warning Against Decline

The ND-PYLF President warned that the activities of IYC are slowly going down and risk becoming irrelevant if urgent measures are not taken to reposition the council.

“IYC is not a student unionism platform,” he said firmly. “It is a liberation movement that must be handled with the seriousness it deserves.”

Amb. Marbo’s statement comes at a crucial time as Niger Delta stakeholders continue to debate the future of Ijaw nationalism and the region’s place in Nigeria’s political and economic system. His remarks are expected to spark renewed conversations across the IYC zones and chapters on the urgent need to restore the organisation’s original purpose.

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Author: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Publisher: Global Egberi Media International
🌐 Website: https://globalegberi.blogspot.com
📧 Email: globalegberimedia@gmail.com
📞 Nigeria: +234 813 490 2214

Tags: Ijaw Youth Council, Niger Delta, Bayelsa Politics, Resources Control, Self-Determination, ND-PYLF