Press Release: Maintaining unity and the Journey to ending cultism in Ijawland (Bayelsa State)

19th June 2018, Order of Egbesu Brotherhood.

Press Release: Maintaining unity and the Journey to ending cultism in Ijawland (Bayelsa State)

Borne from the unity gathering held on the 14th of June 2019, at Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, during the worship service of Ogun (Deity of Iron) wherein over two hundred and forty-six (246) representatives of various fraternal groups in Bayelsa State , and our most revered youth body; IYC, Civil society  organisations, Traditional Priests, other crusaders  of peace  in Ijawland and Prominent Ijaw leaders were present.

The high point of the gathering was to put an end to the incessant cult related activities such as: Killings,  Armed robbery, Raping,  Drug abuse,  Kidnapping, thuggery, nuisancy and other associated menace of cult practices in Bayelsa  state amongst Ijaws.

The meeting gained reasons and solutions by some members of various fraternal groups of the problems leading to cult wars which plays  major causes of unrest, also birthed futher  solutions to resolving cult related violence and menace amongst Bayelsans in the state.

Positively, after Series  of discussions and deliberations at the meeting, some speakers of various fraternal groups identified  many causes of cult wars, such as:

1: Personal grievances and aged long grudges of members from different, (in frequent times,same) cult groups.

2: Drug barons grievances of members from different, (in frequent times, same) cult groups.

3. Colour of clothes worn by opposition cult group members, identified to be colours of a particular cult group

4. Boundary  Adjustment : One particular cult group dominating a particular geographical environment; thereby, restraining opposition members from attempting to visit that environment for reasons not even related to cult activities.

5. Issues relating to Girl friends(wives) of members of a various cult groups.

6. Harassment and assault on family members by perceived cult members.

7. Patronizing of a particular cult groups by various politicians; thereby,  attempting to make one particular cult group Super-ordinate and others Sub-ordinate.

8. Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment of cult members, sometimes leads to frustration aggrieviating members to take solace in causing chaos.

9. Shady arm deals by cult rivals and frequent cases (same cult members).

10. Misinformation and peer group influence; popular amongst teenagers( basically in Secondary school  cult members). 

Following the surrounding circumstances of the cult wars; causes and effects on Ijawland. Cultism has been identified as an enemy of development, deviates government attention, slows down good government policies, and stigmatizes bad portraits for the Ijaw people.

Considering other regions and tribes in Nigeria, like the North, West, East, ( Hausa's, Yoruba's and Igbo's) have very good numbers of state when compared to we; the Ijaws,  who feeds and provides for the nation, we have just one State (Bayelsa State)  Rivers and Delta State does not solely belong to us,  not even any other state apart from Baylesa State.

Therefore,  it is a challenge that we must task ourselves to come together; and shun divides mostly Cultism  and channel our ideas, manpower into liberation and emancipation of the Ijawland.

With cognizance to the setbacks of cult activities, and enlightenments of the meeting .We therefore resolve as follows :

1. That we should all forgive ourselves, put the past behind and forge a common front for the sustenance of peace, tranquility, unity, growth and development of Bayelsa State.

2. That CULTISM is alien to Ijawland, therefore all fraternal groups should repent and denounce, cease to be divided, and intensify all efforts to sustain peace and futher build a formidable Bayelsa State.

3. That Baylesa is our Jerusalem and every Bayelsan must be seen equally as an Ijawman.

4. That all members of various fraternal groups, Ijaw activists and those seeking elective positions, are to make sacred vows before the shrine of Ogun (god of Iron)  and Egbesu our guardian and comforter; to denounce cultism and never indulge in cult practices such as: Killings, Stealing, Kidnapping, Raping, hooliganism, Armed robbery, etc...... against their fellow Ijaw people and other vices that may hinder growth in our land.

5. That those who have refused to repent and denounce would be declared as enemies of ijawland and be treated as such.

6. That an Eleven (11) man Commitee to be chaired by Comr. Amiebi Turner and Francis Peter as secretary respectively, has been constituted; and others, each representing the various Fraternal groups, Egbesu Brotherhood, Civil society organisations and an Ijaw Group , purposefully to be known as "Bayelsa Peace Movement" with the Slogan "One Bayelsa, One Blood ". The committe is aimed with the mandate to identify remote causes, proffer solutions, sensitization and reorientation of youths, provide opportunities, and reconcile all warring ijaw factions in the state.

7. That all members of the committee must make a sacred vow before Ogun(god of Iron)  denouncing Cultism, never breach the duties and the essence for the formation of the Committee.

8. That various modalities will be put in place to engage youths into meaningful ventures, such as: Education, Soft Agricultural loans,  Skill aquisations, ICT training and others....

9. That all Ijaw leaders and well wishers should work collectively with the Committee for sustainance of peace.

10. That this committee will be open to partnership with Government of Bayelsa State,  Traditional Rulers,  Multinationals, Security Agencies,  Presidential Amnesty Office, Media Houses, Baylesa State Ex-Agitators (MEND etc... ) and other meaningful Ijaw leaders who seeks sustainance of peace, unity and love in Ijawland.

11. That this movement is borne out of sincerity to find lasting peace, without bias and not in any way affiliated or motivated by Government, or any other political party.

In line with the developments above,  we make all solemn call to all Ijaws , to embrace this movement geared towards bringing lasting solutions to the alarming rate of insecurity,cult practices and promoting developments in Bayelsa State.

Bayelsa is the only home we have as Ijaws, it is our collective responsibility to develop it, war and infightings will bring us no good. Inorder for investors and other private bodies that will be beneficial to our people to come in, peace must first of all be returned. We are Ijaws, we are Bayelsans, we are one blood, life is sacred, Egbesu forbids killings. Let's unite.

Asawana! Wana!!

Signed:

High Priest Habi Kurokeme
Spokesperson, Order of Egbesu Brotherhood.