Bayelsa Ijaw advocacy and cultural promotion

On 22 July 2026, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri addressed the newly inaugurated Ijaw Youth Council, urging the group to pursue firm, constructive advocacy for environmental justice and to engage in dialogue with government, industry and traditional leaders. The governor’s deputy, Peter Akpe, then met a women's support group, calling for greater female participation in nation‑building and emphasizing community development over political patronage.

Four days later, at the Gbarain Uzu New Yam Festival, Governor Diri (speaking through Deputy Akpe) urged residents to take pride in preserving Ijaw cultural heritage, highlighting the festival’s role in teaching the Ijaw language and promoting agricultural wealth. He also appealed to the state and oil companies for infrastructure investment, notably the dualisation of the Igbogene–Polaku road.

Both events reflect a coordinated effort by Bayelsa’s leadership to combine advocacy, gender inclusion, cultural preservation, and economic development within the Ijaw community.