.The Kaiama Declaration is a resolution made by over 5000 Ijaw youths from various communities in Nigeria in December 1998.
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The declaration aims to address the problems faced by the Ijaw people within Nigeria and regain control of their destiny. The Ijaw people believe that they were forcibly put under the Nigerian state during British colonization and that they would have evolved as a separate sovereign nation.
The declaration highlights the division of the Ijaw people into political and administrative units, leading to their marginalization. It also emphasizes the deterioration of the Ijaw people’s quality of life due to neglect and suppression by the Nigerian state and transnational oil companies.
The declaration criticizes the exploitation of oil and gas resources within Ijawland, which has caused ecological devastation. It calls for the recognition of the rights of Ijaw communities to land and resources and the withdrawal of military forces from Ijawland.
The declaration demands the cessation of oil exploration and exploitation activities and promotes peaceful coexistence with neighboring communities.
It expresses solidarity with other ethnic groups in Nigeria and advocates for a sovereign national conference to discuss the nature of a democratic federation.
The declaration concludes by establishing the Ijaw Youth Council to coordinate the struggle for self-determination and justice.
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