[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12948-12949]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE IJAW DIASPORA CONVENTION AND EDUCATION TRUST FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 2011

  Ms. BASS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
launching of the Ijaw Diaspora Convention and Education Trust Fund and 
the presentation of the Ijaw History Project by the Ijaw Community in 
the Diaspora.
  From August 19 to August 20, 2011, the Ijaw Community in the Diaspora 
is assembling in New Jersey along with the nine governors of the Niger 
Delta States and scores of dignitaries and officials in Nigeria and the 
United States with Distinguished Prof E. A Alagoa of the University of 
Port Harcourt to present the ``Ijaw History Project''--A Five Year 
Landmark Research Project on the Izon people and to launch the Ijaw 
Diaspora Convention and Education Trust Fund.
  The Ijaw History Project and the Ijaw Diaspora Convention and 
Education Trust Fund are being launched with the support and 
endorsement of the Special Guest of Honor for this prestigious event, 
His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President and Commander in 
Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria 
Governors Forum.
  Mr. Speaker, this historic event will focus on ``Transforming Niger 
Delta Ijaw Communities through Investment in Education and Capacity 
Development''; and promote the core beliefs of the Ijaw Community in 
the Diaspora. The organization stands for the power of literacy to end 
poverty, injustice, discrimination and violence; strengthen peace, 
democracy and prosperity; transform lives, families, communities and 
societies; reduce high infant mortality and preventable infectious 
diseases, and adapt to the challenges of globalization and technology.
  The Ijaw Diaspora Education Trust Fund will be used to support the 
Federal University at Otuoke Bayelsa State's current efforts to develop 
a library, provide University Scholarships and develop special projects 
such as research, education and training in Biotechnology to further 
the efforts of the U.S. based Corporate Council on Niger Delta Affairs 
in the development of a Biotechnology Industrial Park.
  The Federal University at Otuoke Bayelsa State is in the heartland of 
the Ijaw community of the Niger Delta and is a major contributor to 
meeting the goals of the US-Nigeria Binational Commission on meaningful 
development of the Niger Delta Region in the areas of food security, 
regional and economic security, environmental mitigation and energy.

[[Page 12949]]

  Mr. Speaker, the Ijaw Education Trust Fund has the potential to have 
a lasting beneficial influence of on countless families, individuals, 
and institutions in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ijaw 
Community in the Diaspora and Bayelsa State Nigeria.
  I express my gratitude for the influence and contributions the Ijaw 
History Project and the Ijaw Diaspora Convention and Education Trust 
Fund will bestow to meeting the goals of the US-Nigeria Binational 
Commission on meaningful development of the Niger Delta Region.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the supporters and donors 
of the Ijaw Diaspora Convention & Education Trust Fund on being 
presented with the ``International Leadership Award on the Advancement 
of Education and Capacity Development in Niger Delta Ijaw 
Communities.''

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