By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has declared that Nigeria’s independence remains incomplete without the implementation of true federalism and effective resource control by the federal government.

In a statement issued by the IYC Western Zone on Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, signed by Information Officer Comrade Tare Magbei, the council emphasized that true federalism requires an equitable distribution of power and resources, a situation that is currently lacking in Nigeria.

The statement reads in part: “To achieve true sovereignty, we must address the issue of resource ownership and management, especially in the Niger Delta region, which has long been marginalized despite its abundant natural resources.

“While Nigeria has enjoyed political independence for over six decades, economic independence—particularly for resource-rich regions—has been stifled by a lack of control over their own resources. True federalism demands an equitable distribution of power and resources, which is far from our current reality.

“The existing structure promotes economic imbalance, with regions contributing significantly to the national economy receiving the least benefits.”

Magbei asserted that resource control would empower local governments and communities to develop at their own pace, ensuring that wealth generated within a region is utilized to improve the lives of its people. “This is a cornerstone of true federalism,” he added.

He concluded by urging the Nigerian government to urgently adopt true federalism as a sustainable solution to the country’s numerous challenges, stressing, “Until the regions are granted full control of their resources, Nigeria’s independence will remain incomplete.”