Comrade Udenz Eradiri has today (Thursday) been sworn in as president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) with other elected officials.
Eradiri, while assuring the youths of his preparedness to serve, noted that “with the pronouncement of a national dialogue by President Jonathan, we are being given the opportunity to stand on the path of truth and a chance to speak up on issues that will better the lot of Ijaw people, with purpose and dedication we will answer this call of history as a united people”.
After the oath taking, the new executives were presented with the Ijaw flag, the constitution and a Bible by the electoral commitee chairman, Comrade Sunny Diri Diritolofari, which signifies the mandate of the Ijaw youths.
Tolofari, said the ceremony was to confer on the new officers the mandate and power to pilot the affairs of Ijaw youths. He said the election was free and fair, and that the president-elect, Comrade Udenz Eradiri, defeated the other candidates to be declared the winner despite the protests by some aggrieved candidates.
In his post-inauguration speech, the new president recalled the struggle to better the lot of Ijaw people, saying his administration would tow the same path. He disclosed that the IYC under his leadership would reach out to similar youth organizations across the country to find solutions to the myriads of challenges confronting Nigeria.
The newly-sworn in IYC president also set up a committee on national dialogue.
The committee which is made up of past Ijaw youth leaders like alhaji Asari Dokubo and others, is saddled with the responsibility of meeting with youths of Ijaw extraction to know their needs and agitations to enable the Ijaws speak with one voice at the proposed national dialogue.
He also extended a hand of brotherhood to those who lost out during the elections to come join his team in taking the Ijaw Youth Council to greater heights.
