Houston, a city in Texas, United States of America, has proclaimed July 5 as Ijaw Convention Day.

The proclamation signed by the city’s Mayor, John Whitmire, was presented to the Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INC-A) on Saturday during the award night and unveiling of the Ijaw Cultural and Heritage Centre as part of activities of its three-day second Ijaw Global Convention, with the theme: “Effective Leadership in Ijaw Nation,” held at Marriott Hotel in Westchase.

The document was received by the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Peter Akpe, alongside the INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, and the INC-A Chairman, Mr Ken Anga.

Whitmire described the Ijaw community in Houston and across the United States as “a vibrant and growing segment of the Nigerian-American diaspora, contributing significantly to business, education, energy, healthcare, culture, and civic life, particularly in the Greater Houston area.”

Speaking through Akpe, his chief of staff, Diri said the proclamation was heartwarming and that acknowledging the positive contributions of the Ijaw people in Houston and other states would strengthen the bonds of unity and economic ties between Nigeria and the United States.

Also, Okaba and Anga expressed appreciation to the City of Houston for the proclamation, saying it would spur the Ijaw community to greater achievements in America and beyond.

In a goodwill message presented virtually, former President, Goodluck Jonathan, equally commended the INC-A leadership for inviting him, explaining that his absence was due to other pressing commitments and that his wife had to represent him.

Awards were also presented to Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, Diri, his suspended Rivers State counterpart, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, and former governor and senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson.