By Victor AhiumaYoung

Deputy President-General Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Tonye Leonard, has taken over as the Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress INC, Lagos Chapter.

This came as INC urged the government to address the biting hunger and suffering across the country.

The new chairman, who will run the affairs of Lagos INC for the next three years, has informed that the immediate agenda of the new Lagos chapter executive under his leadership would be to pursue the acquisition of a befitting secretariat for Lagos INC within his three years term in office.

Leonard spoke on the sideline during the inauguration of the new executive in Lagos, maintaining that the secretariat was very important and also promised that the Lagos chapel would work towards empowering members.

He said, “That is the foremost thing that we are going to do because without having a place, it will be difficult for us to harness what we need to do. As it is now, we have a team in place to acquire a secretariat. The Ijaws are spread all over the place like Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, and by the time we look inwards, definitely, we will get a place, and it is going to be soonest.”

Earlier in his inaugural speech, Leonard called on members of the group to rally the new executive to achieve its objectives, saying he wanted a united front in the Congress.

 He said, “I have prepared myself for service and dedicated myself for the three years that we are going to be on board, including my wife and children, who are also prepared to serve the Ijaw nation. I enjoin others to be prepared as me and my families are prepared. We are now mirrors that people will be watching us. We must live up to the expectation of our people in order to realise their hopes. Let us remember that our unity is our strength, and let us easily accommodate each other and let go of our past grievances that will create division and defeat our collective ambition. I invite you all to collective commitment to fairness and justice, progress and development.”

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Patrick  Egbeotu and witnessed by High Chief Philip Brown Agu, National Treasurer, INC Worldwide, who represented the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba.

He commended the outgoing executives led by Pastor Ebitimi Dio-Posibi for their patience and understanding and urged the new executives to approach their responsibilities with utmost seriousness as ambassadors of the Ijaw Nation.

He said “Anyone familiar with the history of the INC will agree to the fact that the Lagos chapter is a very notable and important chapter of the INC. The executive members should note very well that they’ve come to serve the Ijaw Nation in this all-important state in Nigeria, which is Lagos State.”

The INC treasurer emphasised to the Lagos executives that INC worldwide must no longer be treated as a mere portfolio INC but as a determined and professional entity.

 He stressed the “importance of financial responsibility, accountability, and certified documentation, given the serious task at hand due to the current unusual situation of the Nigerian economy.

“The Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba-led INC is focused on professionalism and functionality, even in the president’s absence. Proper documentation and financial responsibility are crucial to avoid issues. Nigeria is facing economic challenges, and the average citizen struggles to afford even a single meal.  We urge the government to address the suffering of the masses.”