Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has attributed the creation of Bayelsa and Rivers states to the sacrifice made by the late Isaac Boro, noting that the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta would have been backwards if not for the efforts of the freedom fighter.
The Governor said this during the wreath-laying ceremony yesterday in Yenagoa as part of activities for this year’s Boro Day celebrations.
Diri, who was represented by Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, observed that the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta are better today because of the sacrifice made by Boro.
While urging the youths to shun violence and every form of criminality, he said: “While there are a lot of people who aspire and assume the sentiments of Boro, a lot of people do not reflect the characteristics of Boro in their aspirations and determinations and the things they do.
“As a youth, who is Boro to you? Was Boro involved in oil bunkering, cultism, kidnapping or involved in disrespecting elders? The answer is no. Was Boro involved in vandalising Federal Government and state government infrastructure in his community? The answer is no.
“So, if you are talking about Boro and you are doing these things, to what extent is Boro in you?”
In a similar vein, Ijaw National Congress (INC) President Prof. Benjamin Okaba acknowledged the price Boro paid for Niger Delta to be at this level, stressing that the quest for self-determination must continue.
May 16 is a day set aside by the Ijaws and Niger Delta to honour Isaac Boro who declared the Republic of Niger Delta in February 1966 after forming the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, an armed militia.
