Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President of the Apex Pan-Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has advocated for the compulsory use of the mother tongue in all Ijaw social gatherings as a way of preserving the Izon language and showcasing the identity of the Ijaw people.

Okaba made the call at the funeral ceremony of late elder statesman, High Chief Mitin Tamaramieyefa, which held at Toru Ndoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

According to Prof. Okaba, the call, which was supported by other prominent stakeholders of the Ijaw Nation in attendance, is in line with the INC's "Save Our Language From Extinction" project and to improve fluency.

He said, "In my capacity as President of Congress with the support and endorsement of several other stakeholders, I made a stronger case for ljaw people to always use their MOTHER TONGUE as medium of communication and engagement at ljaw social gatherings including burials, marriages, political meetings of ljaw people henceforth.

"This policy thrust is in line with OUR SAVE OUR LANGUAGE FROM EXTINCTION project and the call for every ljaw person to PUT THE MOTHER TONGUE AND ITS CULTURE TO USE DAILY.

"In clear affirmation of the above commitment, every person that addressed the audience at the Chief Mitins' funeral did so in lzon, the vernacular of the environment," he affirmed. 

Among key stakeholders that gave their endorsement to the call include the likes of "Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum; Hon. Fred Agbedi, Honourable Member Representing Ekeremor/Sagbama at the Federal House; Rt Hon Peremobowei Ebebi, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State; Hon Godsday Orubebe, former Minster of Niger Delta Affairs, members of the INC present," said Prof. Okaba.

The INC President disclosed that the mood, after the proclamation, was exciting "as the community felt a high sense of belonging" during the engagement at the funeral.

Prof. Okaba applauded Ijaw people of "Arogbo, Okrika, Kalabari and few others, who have for long enforced this USE OUR MOTHER TONGUE policy" and appealed on others to follow suit by emulating them.

"IJAW is our identity and pride. The task to resuscitate, grow and sustain our culture is collective. I have a role to play, you also have your contributions to make," he added.

#penglobalcommunity #Izon #INC