The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide Thursday described the death of Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy to President Goodluck Jonathan, as a big blow to Ijaw nation.
A statement issued by the IYC spokesperson, Comrade Eric Omare, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, said Mr. Douglas passed on when his services are needed by Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
He said: “As a founding member of the IYC and member of the collegiate leadership, Oronto was central to the conceptualization of the historic Kaiama Declaration and formation of the IYC in 1998.
“As an environmentalist, Oronto’s efforts together with other Niger-Delta Delta activists brought the deplorable condition and degradation of the Niger-Delta environment to the attention of the international community.
“Oronto died at this critical time when the Ijaw nation needed his services most. This is truly a very testing time for the Ijaw people.
“We commiserate with the Oronto family, the Government and people of Bayelsa State and President Jonathan on the demise of Oronto. Indeed, we are in pains”.
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