Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have indicated interest to attend the Pre-Summit Conference of the 1st Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit 2024.

The Pre-Summit scheduled for the 17th and the 18th of October at the Banquet hall of the Bayelsa State House, Yenogoa preludes to the Pan-Ijaw Summit slated for December 3rd – 5th in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where Governors of Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Delta, and other Niger Delta states are expected to be in attendance.

The Conference with the theme: Environmental Regeneration and Economic Sustainability has the former Bayelsa State Governor Sen Seriake Dickson as Chairman and Professor Steve Azaiki (OON) as Principal Convener.

The organizers noted that the Summit was a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to addressing infrastructural, development, and historical Environmental Challenges of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.

“The Conference will bring together industry experts, Foreign Partners, academic leaders, policymakers, and community representatives,” he said.

“The organizers are convinced that the Summit will foster innovative solutions for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Niger Delta people and Nigeria.”

The Summit is also expected to serve as a platform to raise dialogues and strategic engagements to address the many socio-economic challenges bedevilling the Ijaw people, including poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation, as well as drive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development for the Ijaw people, ensuring their active participation in the Blue Economy to which they share a profound Natural Connection.

READ ALSO: LG polls: Crisis in Rivers may collapse Nigeria, Jonathan warns judiciary, police,

The thematic areas of the conference include: Unlocking Potentials and Opportunities in Marine and Blue Economy in Ijawland and the Niger Delta, Taxonomies of Environmental Regeneration and Economic Sustainability, Turning the Niger Delta Coastline into a Tourism Haven, Agricultural Transformation and Development in Ijawland and the Niger Delta, Sustainable Wetlands Infrastructure Development.

Others are Changing Youth Economic Fortunes for Sustainable Growth of the Niger Delta, Transportation Development in Ijawland & the Niger Delta, Recalibrating Gender Inclusivity and Women Rights, Infrastructure Protection, Security and Prevention of Oil Theft in the Niger Delta.

The summit is organized by the Azaiki Foundation in partnership with the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Ijaws from the Diaspora will be in attendance, as Ijaws from Canada, Germany, France, Australia, and other countries.