Azaiki Foundation Hails Prof. Ben Okaba On Glorious Completion Of INC Presidential Tenure

By Nnadi Chukwubuzo

ABUJA— Following the historic inauguration of the new National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the global community has continued to pour accolades on the immediate past President, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, for delivering what has been widely described as a golden, transformative era of socio-political advocacy for the Ijaw nation and the wider Niger Delta region and systematically unpacked the Legacy of the Statesman who repositioned the Ijaw struggle and spearheaded the Region’s 2027 Charter of Demand.

In a comprehensive, strongly worded, and highly evocative congratulatory message released by the Azaiki Foundation, under the visionary leadership of its founder, Professor Steve Azaiki OON, Professor Okaba is commended for redefining ethnic nationality leadership in Nigeria through a masterclass blend of academic brilliance, unyielding courage, and strategic diplomacy. “It gives me immense pleasure and a deep sense of pride to extend my warm congratulations to you on the successful completion of your tenure as the 8th President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC),” Professor Azaiki stated in his official dispatch.

“As you conclude this important chapter of service to our people, it is fitting to acknowledge a stewardship that has not merely administered an institution, but has contributed significantly to redefining and repositioning the Ijaw struggle for the realities and demands of the 21st century” he added.

Leadership in Moments of Transition and Uncertainty

The Azaiki Foundation, renowned globally for its commitment to sustainable development, knowledge ecosystems, and the empowerment of indigenous communities, noted that Professor Okaba’s emergence came at a critical crossroads for the Ijaw Nation. It was a period requiring intellectual depth, moral courage, and an appreciation that the contemporary struggle for justice extends far beyond traditional forms of agitation. Under Okaba’s watch, the INC evolved into a more visible, organized, intellectually vibrant, and globally conscious institution, restoring internal confidence and expanding the reach of the organization far beyond its traditional territorial confines.

Historically, the Ijaw struggle has passed through defining epochs—from the constitutional advocacy of the founding fathers, through the era of resource control and environmental justice activism, to the militant and post-amnesty phases. The foundation emphasizes that Professor Okaba’s tenure represented the next vital evolution: a decisive movement from resistance alone toward strategic engagement, thought leadership, institutional strengthening, global advocacy, and intellectual diplomacy.

From the Trenches to Television: The 2027 ‘Charter of Demand’

This evolution into strategic policy conversation was prominently on display during Professor Okaba’s recent hard-hitting appearance as a featured guest on Signature Morning. Analyzing the theme – 2027 Political Buildups in Nigeria: What is the Niger Delta Region Bringing to the Negotiation Table?” Okaba formally unveiled the – Charter of Demand of the Niger Delta to 2027 Presidential Candidates. He warned that the region—the economic backbone of the Nigerian federation—will strictly negotiate its electoral capital based on structural deliverables rather than political tokenism. “For decades, the Niger Delta has been the goose that lays the golden egg, only to be systematically sacrificed at every fiscal cycle,” Okaba stated during the broadcast. “As the 2027 political buildups begin, we are making it categorically clear to all political parties and their prospective presidential flag bearers that “the Niger Delta is coming to the negotiation table with a clear, uncompromisable Charter of Demand anchored on equity, justice, and survival.”

The Azaiki Foundation strongly endorsed the five core pillars of the Charter outlined by Professor Okaba:

1. Devolution of Power and True Federalism: This simply means restructuring the Nigerian polity to return the country to a true federation of autonomous federating units.

2. Resource Democracy and Fiscal Devolution: Here, Okaba emphasized the interest of Ijaw Nations to ending the “juridical architecture of expropriation spanning from the 1969 Petroleum Decree to the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Okaba firmly rejected the current 3% host community allocation as an insult to those bearing the brunt of extraction.

3. An End to Ecological Genocide: Azaiki Foundation applauded Okaba’s outright demand of rapid completion of all environmental remediation initiatives, a total cleanup of the region, and strict corporate legal accountability to halt the quiet devastation of local ecosystems.

4. Establishment of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC): Okaba urged for immediate passage of the SSDC Bill to rectify structural imbalances where the current NDDC has been compromised by the inclusion of non-South-South states.

5. Socio-Economic Equity and Security Inclusion: One-half of the Ijaw Nation, Okaba called on the authorities at all levels to ensure targeted infrastructural transformation, an end to the tactical deployment of non-indigenous security heads to suppress local populations, and fair representation within national security architectures.

A Historic Shift: The Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit Partnership

Reflecting on institutional synergy, Professor Azaiki highlighted the immensely productive partnership between the INC under Okaba’s leadership and the Azaiki Foundation in convening the landmark Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit. Professor Azaiki said that “the landmark gathering represented more than an event—it was a historic shift in the evolution of the Ijaw struggle,” and noted “For the first time in a structured national forum, economic questions were placed at the center of our collective discourse to how the Ijaw Nation can transition from resource dependency to productive capacity; how we can harness human capital for development; and how we can re-imagine our future beyond advocacy alone into sustainable economic empowerment.” This collaboration demonstrated the profound power of synergy between cultural-political leadership and knowledge institutions.

It affirmed that the future of the Niger Delta will depend not only on political negotiation, but on economic intelligence, innovation ecosystems, investment strategy, and human capital development. The summit laid an enduring foundation where ideas meet policy and where youth voices meet investment realities.

The Force of Ideas and an Enduring Legacy

As an academic and a scholar, Professor Okaba brought a distinctive intellectual temperament to ethno-political leadership. He demonstrated to the Nigerian state that the struggle of a people can be advanced just as fiercely by the force of ideas, rigorous research, and strategic advocacy as it can by protest. “History ultimately remembers leaders not merely by the offices they occupy, but by the institutions they strengthen and the ideas they leave behind. Professor Okaba’s tenure has undoubtedly contributed to deepening confidence in the INC and expanding the horizons of what future leadership can aspire to achieve. Leadership does not end with tenure; it merely assumes new forms. We encourage you to continue lending your intellect, experience, and voice to the service of the Ijaw Nation” the Azaiki Foundation statement concluded.

With the successful handover of the INC mantle, Professor Ben Okaba solidifies his place in history as a historic statesman who piloted his people through a critical era of modern socio-political and economic awakening and growth.