Ijaw Foundation Inc. Annual Convention Fundraising Gala in Newark, New
Jersey, USA
Washington DC (5-16-11) – The Ijaw Foundation Diaspora
community in collaboration with the new Federal
University at Otuoke, Bayelsa State Nigeria
will hold its annual convention and
education fundraising luncheon from Friday Audust 19 - 21, 2011 at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel, (www.sheraton.com/newarkairport).
The Hotel is located at 128
Frontage Road, Newark New Jersey 07114
USA.
The
event is dedicated to the establishment
of the Ijaw Foundation Educational Trust Fund for Ijaw sons and daughters at
the Federal University, Otuoke – the
first national university to be located in the heartland of the Niger Delta Ijaw
Communities near Oloibiri where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria. The
Educational Trust Fund shall include academic scholarships, student
book fund and University library enrichment programs for the advancement of education and capacity
development in the Niger Delta Ijaw communities of Nigeria.
Since
the discovery of oil and gas in 1956 and despite the economic
opportunities in the hydrocarbon sector,
majority of people in the Niger Delta Ijaw Communities are yet to play
significant role in the industry due to the widening gaps in education and
capacity development of the Ijaw workforce. As a result, the theme of this historic
convention is:
“Transforming Niger Delta
Ijaw Communities Through Investment in Education and Capacity Development”. The
theme was chosen because of our core believes in the :
·
Power of literacy to end poverty, injustice, discrimination and
violence.
·
Power of literacy to strengthen peace, democracy and prosperity,
·
Power of literacy to transform lives, families, communities and
societies
·
Power of literacy to reduce
high infant mortality and preventable infectious diseases
·
Power of literacy to adapt to the challenges of globalization
and technology
Our supporters and donors will be presented with “International Leadership Award on the Advancement
of Education and Capacity Development In the Niger Delta Ijaw Communities”. This
award is pursuant to the “United Nations Literacy Decade Initiatives” with the
goal that people everywhere should be able to use literacy to communicate with
their own communities, the wider society and beyond.
New Jersey is our natural choice
for this convention because of its exemplary investment “in people” with well educated workforce in
science, engineering and skilled
technicians, as well as home to many of
the scientific breakthroughs that
shaped our world. NJ is widely regarded as the pathway of the
American revolution and the first state to ratify the US Bill of Rights in
1789.
Consequently,
our aim is to achieve the “Education and Capacity Development Bill of
Rights” for the Niger Delta Ijaw people in a manner that strengthens peace, democracy and
prosperity in the region. To achieve this goal we have extended invitation to
scores of dignitaries and officials from the United States Government; US-Nigeria
Binational Commission, The State of New Jersey, State Governments, agencies and parastatals of
the Nigerian Government; municipal and
traditional leaders, youth organizations, public and business leaders from
Africa, Canada, Europe and around the world to join our quest for educational empowerment and economic
development.
Founded in 2003, the Ijaw Foundation (IF) is chartered as the
apex organization and the world assembly of the Niger Delta Ijaw community in
the Diaspora – (The Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia). IF is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c) 3
organization duly authorized by the United States Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s interest is in the affairs
and welfare of the Ijaw Nation, which is the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria following
Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups. The Ijaw people occupy the coastal seaboard of Nigeria rich in
oil and gas with a population of over 20 million people. On April 16, 2011
historic presidential elections were held in Nigeria, and the Ijaws produced the first democratically elected President and
Commander-In Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces of the Federal Government of
Nigeria.
President Jonathan’s victory will be honored by an opening
prayer and special luncheon remarks at the convention.
PLEASE
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILED PROGRAM AND WEEKLY
UPDATES. FORWARD ANY COMMENTS TO THE BOARD PLANNING COMMITTEE AS SHOWN BELOW OR
CALL 310-956-0033.
1. Dr
Reuben Jaja email: rjaja@bfigcorp.com,
Chairman of the Board
2. Mr
Ekiyor Edotimi email: kenedo@t-online.de,
Vice Chairman of the Board
3. Mr
Amabo MacHarry email: amacharry@yahoo.com,
Treasurer
4. Mr
Julius Enarusai Email: enarusai@comcast.net
,Board Member
5.
Dr Ransom Douglas Email: rwdouglas1@aol.com
,Board Member
Ijaw Foundation is
a charitable nonprofit organization with Section 501 (c) (3) Tax Exempt Status
granted by the United
States Internal Revenue
Service.
