By Warefa Pereke.
As the Ijaw National Congress (INC) prepares for its vital elections this March 2026, a clear message is echoing across the Niger Delta: it is time to bring Ijaw culture back to the forefront.
Chief Dr. Se-Alabor Nengi James, a well-known cultural ambassador and a top candidate for the INC Presidency, is leading this charge. He is calling on all Izon people to work closely with the government to ensure their language and traditions do not fade away.
Chief Nengi James believes that a people without a language are a people without a soul. He has observed that fewer young people are speaking the Izon language fluently. To fix this, his campaign focuses on:
* School Integration: Partnering with state governments to make Izon language a mandatory part of the school curriculum.
* Digital Presence: Creating modern tools and apps to help Ijaw children in the diaspora learn their mother tongue.
* Cultural Centers: Establishing hubs where history, storytelling, and traditional crafts are taught to the next generation.
Who is Chief Dr. Se-Alabor Nengi James? Chief Nengi James is not a newcomer to the struggle for Ijaw identity. He is a man of many hats, known for his deep commitment to the Niger Delta region. As a Peace Advocate, he has a long history of mediating conflicts and promoting peace within Ijaw communities. As an environmental defender and a leader in the oil-producing region, he has consistently fought for the environmental rights of his people, demanding better treatment from oil companies.
He currently serves as the Second Vice President of the INC, giving him the “inside track” on how to run the organization effectively. Beyond politics, he is a successful businessman who often uses his resources to support Ijaw youth and elders.
The upcoming INC election is seen as a turning point for the Ijaw nation. Supporters of Nengi James argue that his mix of cultural passion and political experience makes him the right person to lead.
He argues that the Ijaw people must be “at the table” with the government. By collaborating with authorities, the INC can secure the funding and laws needed to protect Ijaw heritage.
“Our culture is our identity. If we do not promote it ourselves, no one will do it for us. We must join hands with the government to make the Izon voice heard.” — Chief Dr. Se-Alabor Nengi James.