…Says Strong Secretariat Will Protect Ijaw Struggle From Forgetfulness, Illegality and Miscommunication
…Pledges Transparency, Structured Communication, Institutional Continuity
Amb. Douyi Tonworimi Duere, a candidate for the office of the 10th Secretary General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has unveiled a five-point administrative agenda aimed at transforming the Council’s Secretariat into a modern, efficient, transparent and technology-driven institution.
Duere, a son of Ogboin Clan in the Central Zone of the IYC, unveiled his manifesto ahead of the 2026 Elective Convention under the campaign slogan: “Document the Struggle. Secure the Future.”
Presenting his vision to elders, leaders and delegates of the Ijaw Nation, the Secretary General hopeful said his aspiration was built not merely on political ambition but on what he described as a record of verifiable service, sacrifice and commitment to institutional development.
According to him, the Office of the Secretary General remains the institutional backbone of the IYC Worldwide and must be occupied by an individual with the discipline, experience and administrative capacity to protect the Council’s records and ensure continuity across successive administrations.
“The Office of the Secretary General is the custodian of records, the engine of coordination and the guarantor of continuity. This office demands discipline, discretion and unwavering dedication to collective interest above personal aspiration,” Duere declared.
Duere Highlights Record of Service and Sacrifice
Outlining what he described as his statement of capacity, Duere said his leadership journey had consistently been guided by equity, sacrifice and the collective interest of the Ijaw people.
He recalled that while serving as Student Representative of Ogboin Clan, he championed the principle of micro-zoning to guarantee equitable access to leadership opportunities across communities.
According to him, he later demonstrated his commitment to the principle by voluntarily withdrawing from the race for Clan Chairman to allow for balanced representation.
Duere also highlighted his tenure as Treasurer of the IYC Central Zone, saying he administered the Council’s finances with diligence, accountability and transparency.
He further recalled that when the opportunity arose for him to contest for Zonal Chairman, he conceded the position to Yenagoa in the interest of institutional stability and unity.
“These are not campaign promises. They are documented records of conduct. I have consistently placed institutional integrity and collective progress above personal position,” he stated.
Unveils Five-Point Administrative Agenda
Duere said his vision is to establish a modern and responsive Secretariat that preserves the institutional memory of the IYC, empowers members and strengthens the operational capacity of the Council worldwide.
At the centre of his manifesto is a five-point administrative agenda covering structured communication, digital record management, transparency and accountability, member support and greater collaboration across all levels of the Council.
1. Structured Communication Across IYC
The Secretary General candidate pledged to establish standardised communication protocols linking the National Executive Council, zones and chapters.
He said the initiative would promote the timely dissemination of information, responsive feedback mechanisms and professional management of official correspondence.
According to him, every Ijaw voice deserves to be heard, acknowledged and properly documented within the institutional framework of the Council.
2. Digitalisation and Security of Council Records
Duere also promised to modernise the Secretariat through digital archiving and secure cloud-based documentation systems.
He said the IYC must move beyond dependence on paper-based records by creating permanent, accessible and protected digital archives capable of preserving the history and decisions of the Council across generations.
“Institutional memory must transcend individual administrations,” he said.
According to him, the history of the Ijaw struggle, resolutions of the Council and other vital documents must be securely preserved so that incoming administrations can build on the work of their predecessors rather than repeatedly starting from the beginning.
3. Transparency and Accountability
The candidate pledged to work with the National Executive Council to institutionalise the publication of minutes, resolutions and periodic reports.
He said access to important institutional information should become a matter of policy rather than privilege.
“Transparency builds trust between leadership and membership. Accountability sustains institutional credibility,” Duere stated.
He maintained that a well-organised Secretariat would strengthen public confidence in the leadership of the Council and promote responsible governance.
4. Stronger Member Support and Engagement
Duere further promised to build a responsive Secretariat capable of addressing correspondence, inquiries and administrative requests with professionalism, accuracy and speed.
He said members remain the foundation of the IYC and must be able to interact effectively with the Secretariat without unnecessary administrative barriers.
According to him, the Secretariat should be known for service, responsiveness and efficiency.
5. Collaboration and Team Cohesion
The fifth pillar of the agenda focuses on strengthening coordination between the National Executive Council, zones, chapters and other stakeholders of the Ijaw Nation.
Duere described the Office of the Secretary General as a bridge that must promote unity of purpose and harmony in the execution of Council decisions.
He pledged to facilitate structured coordination across the different organs of the IYC to ensure that policies, programmes and resolutions are effectively communicated and implemented.
Confidentiality, Integrity and Discipline
The Secretary General hopeful identified confidentiality, integrity, organisation, communication and discretion as the core operating principles that would guide his leadership if elected.
He pledged to safeguard sensitive information with professional discretion while ensuring honesty, fairness and ethical conduct in all administrative responsibilities.
Duere said his administration would also prioritise efficient administration, transparency, member engagement, collaboration, innovation and adaptability.
He stressed that technology and modern administrative practices must play a central role in improving the productivity and effectiveness of the IYC Secretariat.
‘The Office Must Not Be Subject to Experimentation’
Making a direct appeal to delegates ahead of the elective convention, Duere pledged to protect the records of the Ijaw struggle and strengthen the institutional processes of the Council.
“I pledge to serve with integrity, administer with transparency and lead with discipline. I will protect the records of our struggle, organise the processes of our governance and secure the future of our institutional memory,” he said.
He argued that the Office of the Secretary General is too important to the survival and continuity of the IYC to be subjected to experimentation.
“The Office of the Secretary General must not be subject to experimentation. It must function as an institution,” Duere declared.
‘Strong Secretariat Builds an Institution That Outlives Its Officers’
Duere concluded his manifesto with what he described as the fundamental responsibility of an effective Secretary General.
According to him, a strong Secretariat must protect an organisation from three major threats: forgetfulness, illegality and miscommunication.
“A weak Secretariat creates a strong office with weak records. A strong Secretariat builds an institution that outlives its officers,” he said.
The Secretary General candidate therefore called on delegates to support his vision for a professional, disciplined, transparent and technology-driven IYC Secretariat.
He maintained that preserving the history and institutional memory of the Ijaw struggle is essential to securing the future of the Council and generations yet unborn.
VOTE AMB. DOUYI TONWORIMI DUERE
For 10th Secretary General, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide
DOCUMENT THE STRUGGLE. SECURE THE FUTURE.
