From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Douye Diri and Siminalayi Fubara are billed to attend the pre-summit conference of the first Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit 2024.
Scheduled to hold on October 17 and18 in Bayelsa State, the event will serve as a prelude to the Pan-Ijaw Summit slated to hold from December 3 to 5 in Rivers State. Governors of Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Delta and Niger states are other dignitaries expected to be in attendance.
The Conference with the theme: ‘Environmental Regeneration and Economic Sustainability,’ has the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson as Chairman, Opening Ceremony, and Professor Steve Azaiki (OON) as Principal Convener. The organisers said the Summit is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to addressing infrastructural, development and historical environmental challenges of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.
The organiser, in a statement, said: “It is expected to assemble industry experts, foreign partners, academic leaders, policy makers and community representatives. The organisers are convinced that the summit will foster innovative solutions for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Niger Delta people and Nigeria.
“The Summit is also expected to serve as a platform to raise dialogues and strategic engagements to address the many socio-economic challenges bedevilling the Ijaw people, including poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation. It also seeks to drive economic growth, job creation and sustainable development for the Ijaw people, ensuring their active participation in the Blue Economy to which they share a profound natural connection.
“The Summit’s thematic areas to which discussions will be initiated include: Unlocking Potentials and Opportunities in Marine & Blue Economy in Ijawland and the Niger Delta, Taxonomies of Environmental Regeneration & Economic Sustainability, Turning the Niger Delta Coastline into a Tourism Haven, Agricultural Transformation and Development in Ijawland and the Niger Delta, Sustainable Wetlands Infrastructure Development.
“Others are: Changing Youth Economic Fortunes for Sustainable Growth of the Niger Delta, Transportation Development in Ijawland & the Niger Delta, Recalibrating Gender Inclusivity and Women Rights, Infrastructure Protection, Security and Prevention of Oil Theft in the Niger Delta.
“Organised by the Azaiki Foundation in partnership with the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Summit will also have Ijaw from Diaspora in attendance, as Ijaw from Canada, Germany, France, Australia and other countries are already penciled down to attend.”