Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has commended the Ijaw National Congress, INC, and contributors for the successful unveiling of the book “The Ijaw Heritage through the Centuries: Origins, Cultures and Experiences.”
Speaking as Chief Launcher at the event held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the publication as a historic effort to document and preserve the identity, culture and experiences of the Ijaw people.
Ogbe, who was represented by the NCDMB General Manager for Human Capital Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, said documenting history is essential for protecting the collective memory of any people.
“History, when left undocumented, becomes vulnerable to distortion. But history that is researched, written, and preserved by its own people becomes a powerful instrument of dignity and self-determination,” he said.
He emphasised that cultural preservation and development must progress together, noting that heritage plays a crucial role in shaping leadership values and national growth.
According to him, initiatives such as the publication of the book contribute significantly to strengthening cultural pride and promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary congratulated the leadership of the INC, scholars and cultural custodians who contributed to the project, describing the publication as an important intellectual and cultural milestone for the Ijaw nation.
He expressed optimism that the book would inspire further academic research on the history and traditions of the Ijaw people while deepening cultural awareness among younger generations.
The unveiling attracted cultural leaders, scholars, and members of the Ijaw community who gathered to celebrate the documentation of one of Nigeria’s oldest and most influential ethnic heritages.
