By Warefa Pereke.
Odi Town, Bayelsa State. – In the quest for a new leader for the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the focus must be on a candidate with a proven ability to combine administrative excellence with a steadfast commitment to advocacy. High Chief (Dr) Alabor Nengi James, OON, a distinguished figure and a man of multiple talents, presents himself as that leader.
His extensive and varied background is not just a list of credentials; it is a tapestry of experiences that have prepared him to steer the INC with both competence and a powerful voice. His candidacy is a clear call for a presidency that is both effective and fearless in its pursuit of justice for the Ijaw nation.
Dr. Nengi James is, first and foremost, a career administrator. His experience in managing organizations, mediating conflicts, and navigating complex systems gives him the essential skills to lead the INC. The titles he holds—MCArb, Mnim—speak to a professional discipline that ensures he can bring order, transparency, and strategic planning to the organization’s affairs. This administrative prowess is not an abstract skill; it is a practical tool that will enable him to build a more efficient and impactful INC, one that can effectively manage its resources and execute its programs with precision.
However, a leader of the INC cannot simply be an administrator. They must also be a relentless advocate. Dr. Nengi James has spent his life as a civil society practitioner, public policy specialist, and rights advocate. He understands that the Ijaw struggle is a fight for justice, equality, and environmental survival. His work as an ecologist and environmentalist is particularly significant, as demonstrated by his groundbreaking concept of “Oceanification”—the devastating encroachment of the ocean on Ijawland.
His book on the subject, Oceanification: Environmental, Ecological and Socio-Economic Impact in the Niger Delta, is a powerful example of administrative advocacy at its best. He not only identified a critical issue but also documented it rigorously and provided a comprehensive analysis, which earned him a place in the Bayelsa State History and Archives Environmental Hall of Fame. This is the kind of proactive, evidence-based advocacy that the INC needs to effectively challenge environmental injustices in the entire Ijaw lands and hold polluters accountable.
Furthermore, his experience within the INC itself, as the National Vice President 2, and his leadership roles in other organizations like the Nembe Se Congress, give him a unique advantage. He understands the internal workings of the INC and the specific concerns of its different communities. This insider’s perspective, combined with his a career as an administrator and a history of successful advocacy, makes him an exceptionally well-rounded candidate.
High Chief (Dr) Nengi James is a multiple awardee, a testament to his consistent impact on both administrative and advocacy fronts. Each award is a recognition of his ability to lead with purpose and conviction. As a proven author, he has the capacity to articulate the Ijaw position with clarity and authority. As an accomplished philanthropist and entrepreneur, he brings a practical understanding of how to create opportunities and build a more prosperous future for the Ijaw people.
He is not just a candidate; he is a seasoned administrator and a committed advocate who has dedicated his life to the betterment of the Ijaw nation. Electing him as INC President would be a vote for a presidency defined by competence, courage, and a powerful, administrative voice for all Ijaws.
