Social and commercial activities were, weekend, grounded for the better part of the day as Ijaws from all walks of life commemorated the anniversary of late Major Isaac Boro, Ijaw activist for equity and true fiscal federalism within a united Nigeria.
Shops and retail outlets in Yenagoa, the capital city, were under lock and key in honour the late Boro, just as Ijaw youths staged a procession round the city before converging at the Heroes Park, where the remains of Boro were reburied last year.
Boro died in active service 47 years ago in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, fighting for the unity of Nigeria in the civil war.
He was buried in Lagos but his remains were exhumed last April at the instance of the Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson and reburied in the state in line with Ijaw traditional rites.
Speaking at the Heroes Park on the anniversary, Governor Dickson, represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha-Jonah (rtd), said that for the Ijaw to be taken seriously in the politics of the country, they must come together as a people and speak with one voice.
Dickson implored Ijaw and Niger Delta youths to imbibe the ideals of selfless service, which he said defined Isaac Boro’s life and struggle.
The governor said though Boro rebelled against the Federal Government to show his displeasure over the oppression of the minority by the Nigerian state, he joined the Nigerian Army to fight to keep the country a united entity. Vanguard
