IJAW in the Diaspora will today stage demonstrations in Washington DC and London to convince the international community to intervene in the alleged oppression and exploitation of the Niger Delta nationalities by all successive governments in Nigeria,
The Ijaw, residing mainly in Europe and North America, insisted that a quick intervention by the international community would help alleviate the alleged internal colonialism of the people of the Niger Delta. They added that it would also put a stop to hostage taking, vandalisation of oil facilities in the oil producing areas and threats to global energy security.
This was made known in a statement by former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Mr. Felix Tuodolo. “The international community’s casual awareness of the deplorable conditions in the Niger Delta does not satisfy us – awareness without intervention is of no help to the Niger Delta people.
“It is in this light that we must not relent in our mission to convince the international community to act for justice, equity, peace and humanity,” Tuodolo said in the statement made available to The Guardian.
Continuing, he added that as part the campaign, “the Ijaw in the Diaspora under the aegis of Ogele Clubs with some other affiliated partners in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Washington DC would be organising demonstrations to convince the leaders of these countries to intervene in the Niger Delta crises.”
The action in the United Kingdom will comprise members of the Ijaw Peoples Association of Great Britain and Ireland (IPA), Bayelsa State Union, Ogele Club International and Ijaw Youth Council International (IYC).
The demonstrators are expected to pay a visit to Number 10 Downing Street to formally handover a petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair. From there, the protesters will also visit the offices of the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) in London.
Tuodolo said the Ijaw and other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta were already tired of sympathy and are demanding action from the international community before
the situation deteriorates any further.
He lauded various groups that had continued to petition the international community, demanding intervention in the Niger Delta crisis. He urged them not to relent, as more pressure was needed.
Mar72006