2ND ALL IJAW YOUTH CONFERENCE 2003 ORGANISING COMMITTEE THE DEMOCRATIC ERA THEME

2ND ALL IJAW YOUTH CONFERENCE 2003 ORGANISING COMMITTEE THE DEMOCRATIC ERA THEME: RE-AWAKENING (RE-POSITIONING) THE IJAW YOUTHS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA 10th – 16th November, 2003

A coalition of civil society organizations in the Ijaw-Niger Delta region of Nigeria will be hosting an all Ijaw Youths Conference in Bayelsa State. The conference will discuss measures on how youths will be re-positioned towards sustainable development programmes against negatives tendencies that are contrary to the genuine development of the Niger Delta.

Participants to the 7-days Conference will be drawn from government, non-governmental groups, institutions, community leaders, students and the private sector of the economy. Over five thousand ((5000) youths from different parts of the federation are expected to participate in one week programme which is holding on the 10th – 16th November, 2003.

The conference is being organized by the Ijaw Youths Consultative Forum in collaboration with Bayelsa Youth Federation, National Union of Izon-Ibe Students, Ijaw Youth Caucus, Ijaw Youth for Justice and development, Niger Delta Leadership Forum, mangrove – swamp Community Action Network, Bayelsa State participatory Rural Appraisal Network, Niger Delta (Community based) civil society Network among others.

Consequently, discourse papers are to be presented by Academics, Scholars, government officials, development workers and environmentalist. Meanwhile, Merit Awards will be given to deserving personalities who have contributed to humanity and development of Ijaw land and the Niger Delta. They include, His Excellencies Dr. Peter Odili Governor of Rivers State, Chief (Dr.) D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senibo Bobo Brown, Mrs. Beatrice Agama, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Indutimi Alaibe, Chief Matthew Karimo,Chief Joshua Fumodoh, P.Z. Aginighan etc. Nengi James Chairman Central Working Committee Kennedy Olorogun President, National Union of Izon-ibe Students Asueni Sam Jonathan Esq Chairman, Justice & Development

William Alakere Co-ordinator, Ijaw Youths Consultative Forum

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

Monday 10 November, 2003 10.00am. - Visit to 1st Oil Well in Oloibiri-Ogbia (Speaker. Barr Oronto Douglas) The environmental degradation in the Niger Delta: The Ijaw Nation experience 2.00pm - Visit to Niger Delta University (NDU) (Speaker. Mr. Eric Avi) Introduction and information on youth multicultural Education. Tuesday 11 November, 2003. 10.00am - Courtesy call on His Majesty of Kolokuma Kingdom, L.G.A. Council Chairman. Odi Town e.t.c. 3.00pm - Presentation by invited group leaders/representatives. The Ijaw Nation and the struggle for resource control; The journey so far - Prof. Kimse Okoko The Nigeria democratic setting and the issue of resource control: the past present and the future. - Prof. E.J. Alagoa - Kalajoe

Venue: KAIAMA TOWN Wednesday 12 November, 2003. 10.00am

(i) Youth-integration as a priority: the case of the Ijaw Youth. - Ijaw Youth Council

(ii) The Nigeria Constitution and laws: what option for the struggle for self determination, resource control and the ethnic sovereign conference. - Ledum Mitte Esq, President, MOSOP Education

(iii) A catalyst for sustainable development of Ijaw Youths - Sami Ebiye Ph.D.

(iv) Strategies for conflict resolution in the Niger Delta: the case of oil and gas bearing communities. - Patterson Ogon Director Ijaw Council for Human Rights.

Venue: SPORTS COMPLEX, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.

Thursday 13 November, 2003 10.00am Courtesy call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State and Presentation of plaques to His Excellency, Chiefs Timi Alaibe, Edwin Clark, Mrs. Beatrice Agama.

Evaluation: Proposals, critics and suggestions Action Plan: The Way Forward

Friday 14, 2003 10.00am. Excursion / facility Visit to S.P.D.C. East (30 persons) 1.00pm. Excursion / facility visit to Agip (30 persons) 4.00pm Courtesy call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State Chief Dr. Peter Odili and presentation of plaques to His Excellency and Senibo Bob Sofari Brown - Manager Public Affairs S.P.D.C. East, Chief Joshua Fumudoh and P.Z. Aginighan. Saturday 15th Press Briefing / Courtesy call to Media Houses

Sunday 16TH November, 2003: Thanks giving service Royal House of Grace P.H / Yenagoa. Background of conference The all Ijaw youths conference is a one week programme designed for development of Ijaw youths and bringing awareness to them on issues concerning the Niger Delta. The conference is expected to be held annually.

This year conference will be held in Yenagoa on 10-16 November, 2003. It is being organized by the Ijaw youth caucus among others.

Objectives To bring youths in Ijaw nation to foster peace and unity. To discuss the practical implementation of youth empowerment in the Ijaw-Niger Delta Area. To facilitate the exchange of experiences amongst participants on entrepreneurship and self-reliance To develop a pool of youth resources who can articulate and contribute their potentials towards having peaceful co-existence in Ijaw nation. To further promote networking and collaborating amongst organizations for youth empowerment and development programmes. To reposition the minds of youths to have a focus on the growth and development of their individual life, community and the nation. To provide a forum for sharing of information concerning the Ijaw Nation.

RESOURCE PERSONS AND METHODOLOGY Sessions will be led by resource persons with experience and expertise gathered through their work in government, non-governmental, civil society organizations and in the academic. The conference will employ a combination of lectures, talks, group discussions, and role-plays e.t.c.

PARTICIPANTS Applications from civil society groups, women / Youth Organizations and Non-governmental organizations (N.G.O’s) be considered. The maximum number of participants expected is five thousand (5,000.00) in the grand finale on Wednesday, 13, 2003. Priority will be given to invited Presidents or Chairmen and Secretaries or representatives of organizations.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE Certificate of participation will be given to formally invited and accredited groups. SPEAKERS LIST: Government Officials Ijaw National Congress Invited Guest Speakers Non-governmental Organizations Groups Students.

ORGANIZERS: Ijaw Youth Consultative forum in collaboration with Bayelsa Youths Federation (BAYOF), Ijaw Youth caucus, Niger Delta Leadership Forum, Niger Delta (Community Based), Civil Society Network among others.

August 2003