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It is no secret that Barr. Wike has often been inconsistent in his words and actions, frequently contradicting himself. He had laid curses on himself which I believe is following him about. However, while I do not always agree with him, I acknowledge the truth in his statement that the Ijaw people are the “minority of the minorities.” Sometimes, the most profound truths come from unexpected sources—even from those we consider adversaries.

The reality of our position as a minority is evident in the way we handle our identity. In Ijaw gatherings, speaking our native dialect is often discouraged. Have you ever seen Igbo or Yoruba people gathering and communicating in a language other than their own? The Ijaw people, on the other hand, seem hesitant to embrace their language and heritage. There was even a cartoon I came across where one person asked another if he was Ijaw, and he denied it—this, unfortunately, reflects the attitude of many within our community.

During my research and efforts to publish The Ijaw Origin of Lagos, I visited a prominent Ijaw man in his office in Lagos. When I explained how the Ijaw people were the first settlers in Lagos, he immediately refuted it, insisting that the Benin people arrived first—despite lacking the historical knowledge to support his claim. He even challenged me to name an Ijaw community in Lagos. Some other prominent Ijaw figures discouraged the book launch, warning that it could lead to violence. Yet, after the book was launched, nothing of the sort happened.

In March 2021, I travelled to Ekeremor in Bayelsa State for a burial and was disheartened to witness a disturbing reality. In an Ijaw town, I visited, a church there, the pastor preached in English, and the interpreter translated it into Yoruba—not Ijaw. If we are truly not a minority, why do we refuse to promote our own language, even on our own land?

It is even more concerning that if you visit an Ijaw leader’s office and greet him in our native dialect, he may discourage you from speaking in Ijaw. Meanwhile, other ethnic groups embrace and celebrate their language wherever they go. This self-imposed alienation is one of the greatest challenges we face. We, the Ijaw people, have marginalized ourselves where we should stand as one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.

The economic aspect is just as troubling. Ijaw people, historically known for fishing, now sell their fishponds to outsiders. Hausa fishermen now dominate the trade on our own soil, while we buy from them. In contrast, when you travel to Yoruba land, you are immediately greeted in their native language and in the course of going about in their transport, they will asked you in their dialect ‘Nibo lon lo’, which means where are you going?. However, in Bayelsa—our own homeland—English remains the dominant language or any other languages. We have failed to promote and enterprise our language, making it difficult for others to recognize our presence as the fourth-largest ethnic group in Nigeria.

The recent incident in which the Amanayabo of Abalama instructed that Chief Wike should not be received, only for the Kalabari Council of Chiefs to disregard the order, further highlights the division among us. This lack of unity, fueled by politics and personal interests, weakens the Ijaw people. The elites have played a major role in this disunity, trading the future of our people for their personal gain.

If we do not address these issues, we will continue to be referred to as the “minority of the minorities.” However, we have the power to change this narrative. The key to our unity and strength lies in embracing our language, culture, and identity. We must correct these lapses, break communication barriers, and stand firm in our truth. Only then can we reclaim our rightful place and force those who undermine us to acknowledge our strength.

Let us rediscover ourselves. Let us prove that we are not a minority but a people of great significance.

Pastor E. Robinson

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