Diri Restates Call for Fiscal Federalism as Ijaws in US Honour Bayelsa Gov, Others

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again called for a review of the country’s revenue derivation formula in line with the practice of fiscal federalism.

He queried the existing practice, where resource-endowed states in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta, got a paltry 13 per cent as monthly allocation from their resources.

Diri maintained that the country’s lopsided federalism practice had hindered the development of states.

The Bayelsa governor spoke on Saturday in Houston, Texas, when Ijaws in the United States and Canada conferred on him the award of “Icon of Unity and Social Justice.”

The three-day 2024 convention was held under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress (INC)-Americas.

Also honoured were the former Nigerian first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as well as renowned author and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

While receiving the award, Diri appreciated the organisers for upholding the Ijaw tradition and culture even in the diaspora.

He urged them not to allow the fire of Ijaw nationalism that has been ignited to extinguish and ensure that the annual event was sustained while promising the support of his administration.

“This annual convention offers an opportunity for Ijaws in the diaspora to continue to associate with themselves.

“I urge the INC in the Americas not to allow the Ijaw fire to be put out. My administration will support you to sustain the Ijaw culture and tradition here in the Americas,” he said.

Present at the event were President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; one of his predecessors, Chief Joshua Fumudoh; Chairman, INC-Americas, Mr. Kenneth Anga; as well as former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, among others.