INC commences leadership retreat in Ogulagha, pushes new Ijaw agenda

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Monday commenced its 2026 Leadership Retreat in Ogulagha Community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, with a charge for unity, strategic leadership and a new development agenda for the Ijaw nation.

The five-day retreat, holding from October 26 to 30, 2026, has as its theme: "Rebirth of a Nation: A New Ijaw Nation Is Possible" and is bringing together leaders and critical stakeholders from across Ijawland to chart a new course for the ethnic nationality.

Declaring the retreat open, the President of the INC Worldwide, High Chief Hon. MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei, said the gathering was not merely for talk, but for reflection, decision and action.

In his presidential address titled "Rebirth of a Nation: The Sacred Mandate For A New Ijaw Agenda," Igbadiwei said the Ijaw people carry both a burden and a blessing - marginalization in a nation built on wealth from their land, and the resilience of a proud people with immense natural endowment.

"We have lived with a bitter contradiction: our land lights the nation, yet our homes remain in darkness; our soil feeds the national budget, yet our fishermen return with empty nets," he lamented.

The INC President said a new Ijaw nation would only be possible with a shift from the old leadership paradigm.

"We must reject unorganised leadership, reject division fuelled by clan rivalries and personal ambition, and reject reactive leadership that only responds to crisis," he said, adding that self-determination must be built as a system through economic planning, discipline and unity.

Igbadiwei outlined five core pillars of the new Ijaw agenda:

1. Unity: Describing unity as the first principle and strongest weapon, he said "Ijawland anywhere is Ijawland everywhere" and urged that political differences must never destroy collective identity.

2. Ijaw City and Toru-Ebe State: He called for concrete steps including feasibility studies and investment mobilisation for a modern Ijaw City as administrative and cultural capital, while intensifying advocacy for the creation of Toru-Ebe State.

3. Resource Control and Environmental Justice: He insisted that resource control and fiscal justice remain non-negotiable, demanding environmental remediation, restoration of polluted waterways and fair compensation for impacted communities.

4. Human Capital and Infrastructure: He stressed investment in education, healthcare, electricity, potable water, modern jetties and digital connectivity, with wealth creation driven by maritime commerce, aquaculture, agriculture, tourism and indigenous enterprise.

5. Cultural Preservation: He said the Ijaw language, history, literature and traditional institutions must be preserved as the soul of the rebirth.

Igbadiwei assured that the retreat would end with a clear roadmap, defined responsibilities, timelines and measurable targets, stressing that "the true measure of this retreat is not what we proclaim in this hall, but what we accomplish across Ijawland tomorrow."

In a lead lecture titled "From Vision to Reality," former INC President, Prof. A. W. Obianime, said the current political and economic realities call for existential reflection by the Ijaw nation, noting that vision must be translated into practical programmes.

Also speaking, members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Pondi and Hon. Frederick Agbedi, charged Ijaw sons and daughters in positions of authority to stand boldly for their people.

Agbedi, narrating his emergence as a Principal Officer in the National Assembly despite opposition, said no one gives power freely and urged Ijaws to defend their interests wherever they serve.

Pondi, whose constituency hosts the retreat, commended the INC leadership for choosing Ogulagha, describing it as historic.

The retreat was attended by royal fathers including HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, Ebedaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman, Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders; HRM S.P. Luke, Kalama VIII, Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom and First Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council; HRM Bosu Dio, Ayamabulu I, Ebenanaowei of Iduwini Kingdom; HRM Dr. Danladi Owoupele, Ebenanaowei of Tarakiri Kingdom; HRM Jackson F. Angalabiri, Egbain II, Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei Kingdom; and HRM Johnbull Polokowei, Ongolo I, Pere of Ogbolubiri-Mein Kingdom, among other distinguished leaders.