A group, the Ijaw Diaspora Council, has called on the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace and unity in dealings with themselves and others.
According to the group, the virtues, among others, exemplified the life and times of their pioneer President of the Ijaw National Congress, the late Professor Christopher Dime, who passed away on January 28, 2024, in Yenegoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
The group disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abakaliki, the state capital, by the President of the Ijaw Diaspora Council, who doubles as the Amadabo of the Ijaw Diaspora, Professor Mondy Gold.
According to him, the late Reverend Father Dime led with vision, dedication, and high “transformative potency knowledge.”.
He said, “As we gather here today, with the nurturing embrace of the Ijaw Nation in the heart of the Niger Delta within the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am compelled to offer a profound tribute, woven with threads of deep reverence and compelling urgency.
“In this pivotal moment, we do not stand as mere individuals, but rather as custodians of a profound legacy—a legacy illuminated by the guiding light of courage and an unwavering dedication to the advancement of our cherished Ijaw Nation, the economic powerhouse that sustains Nigeria. Yet, despite our vital contributions, we are imprudently and disgracefully denied fundamental rights, manipulated, and oppressed unabatingly.
“In the reverent shadow cast by Reverend Emeritus Professor Christopher A. Dime, the Founding Father and Pioneer President of the Ijaw National Congress, we are enveloped by the echoes of his wisdom, the resonance of his vision, and the immensity of his dedication. His life serves as an enduring testament to the transformative potency of knowledge, advocacy, and unity. In his footsteps, we are called to march forward with unwavering purpose and resolute determination along the path of progress.
“Professor Dime, a luminous beacon amid Nigeria’s darkest hours, navigated the intricate waterways and corridors of academia with an elegance and distinction that resonated from the creeks and rivers of the Ijaw Nation to the esteemed institutions of learning in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, amongst others. From the sacred shores of our beloved Ijaw homeland, he embarked upon a voyage of enlightenment—a journey that not only shaped the course of his own destiny but also illuminated the path for generations yet to come. As he traversed the revered halls of academia, his voice reverberated with the profundity of ancestral wisdom, leaving an indelible imprint on the fabric of our shared consciousness.
“With unwavering courage and unyielding determination, Professor Dime emerged as a stalwart defender of justice and unity, fearlessly lending his voice to the resounding chorus of change that echoes across our nation. In the grand tapestry of history, his name is etched alongside those of giants—men and women such as Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi of India, Malcolm X of the United States, amongst others, and Margret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, whose audacious dreams paved the way for a brighter tomorrow for millions of people throughout the world.”
On the continual issue of environmental degradation in the Ijaw land, Professor Mondy, who is also a recipient of the United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, added, “He fiercely championed environmental justice, economic democracy, and the sacred right to self-determination, echoing the fervent aspirations of Major Isaac Adaka Boro and the resounding truths of the Kaiama Declaration. His impassioned voice echoed the sentiments of the Willink’s Commission, which courageously addressed the minority question in Nigeria. Professor Dime’s unwavering advocacy for the establishment of an Ijaw Development Fund remains a beacon of hope yet to be fully realised. But our struggle does not end here.
“The fight for environmental justice, economic empowerment, resource ownership, and the fundamental right to self-determination blazes on, an unyielding flame that refuses to be extinguished. As we bid farewell to this noble soul, let his legacy ignite within us a fierce determination to carry forth his vision. Let us, as leaders and guardians of our nation’s destiny, seize the mantle of unity with unyielding passion and resolute commitment. Only through collective action, bound by mutual respect and unwavering resolve, can we surmount the daunting challenges that lie ahead.
“Therefore, speaking on behalf of the Ijaw Diaspora Council and by extension Ijaw Diaspora, I beseech you, esteemed leaders, traditional rulers, and political figures, to heed the profound lessons embedded within the life of Professor Dime—to emerge as beacons of hope in a nation besieged by unprecedented insecurity, unyielding poverty, and relentless economic deprivation. In the face of uncertainty and unreliable leadership that has never served our collective interest, let us draw upon the unwavering conviction exemplified by Professor Dime to champion the cause of unity and progress with unshakeable resolve. Let us unite in purpose, casting aside the shackles of division and discord, as we collectively strive to forge a future that dignifies the legacy bestowed upon us.
In unity, we discover our strength, and in progress, we fulfil our destiny. Let us, therefore, pay homage to the memory of Professor Dime by dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to the monumental task of crafting a luminous tomorrow for our cherished Ijaw Nation.”
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