The Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI) has expressed deep appreciation to the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, for his timely response and promise to address the long-overdue recognition of the seven ancient clans of the Arogbo Kingdom within the INC’s organisational structure.
This comes shortly after the MRAI submitted an open letter to the INC leadership, appealing for the formal recognition of the following ancestral clans: Ajapa, Olomuturu, Biagini, Awodikuro, Ogidigba, Ukpe, and Bọlọwọ .
In his encouraging response, Prof. Okaba acknowledged the merits of the appeal and assured the MRAI and the Arogbo-Ijaw people of his prompt attention to the matter “in no distant time.” The INC President also emphasised the importance of unity and inclusion in building a stronger and more cohesive Ijaw Nation.
Reacting to this development, Hosea T. Ebikontei, Coordinator of the MRAI, lauded the INC President’s readiness to engage.
“We sincerely appreciate Professor Okaba for his listening ear and commitment to justice. His assurance has rekindled the hope of the Arogbo people in the capacity of INC to carry every Ijaw community along,” he stated.
The MRAI had earlier reiterated that their appeal was not based on agitation for privilege but a demand rooted in ancestral heritage, historical relevance, and equitable representation. The group also encouraged the INC leadership to visit Arogbo Kingdom to verify the historical and cultural significance of the seven clans.
The INC President’s promise to look into the matter has been interpreted by stakeholders as a step towards healing long-standing gaps in representation and fostering pan-Ijaw solidarity.
The MRAI reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue, cultural preservation, and collaborative efforts toward a unified and stronger Ijaw Nation.
“We will continue to work with the INC in love, peace, and truth,” said Bomi Stanley, Secretary of MRAI.
As anticipation builds for the official recognition of the Arogbo clans, the Arogbo-Ijaw community remains hopeful that justice will prevail and that history will record this as a landmark moment of inclusion in the INC’s history.
