2023 came with many pieces of baggage on the national front with the emergence of a new President and the removal of fuel subsidy overshadowing several other aspects.
Still, the about 40 million Ijaws across the globe will take delight in the exploits of the individuals on this list.
These individuals achieved commendable heights in various fields such as medicine, entertainment, politics, academics, sports, and other spheres of society.
Here we go!
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1. Burna Boy
Arguably the biggest name on this list by way of fame and widespread acknowledgment, Damini Ogulu achieved incredible heights while delivering his craft.
From selling out major arenas across the world to performing at half-time shows and to the release of his I Told Them album, Burna Boy sensationally etched his name among Nigerians who had a memorable 2023.
The City Boys crooner bagged four Grammy Award nominations while winning three major categories at the 2023 Headies Awards which held in Atlanta, Georgia State.
Odogwu also brought a BET Award for Best International Act alongside other international awards.
Damini is one son Ijaw Nation is proud of his achievements for 2023.
2. Dr. Dimie Ogoina
Bayelsa-born physician, Dr Dimie Ogoina made the 2013 Times Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People List in the world.
Dr. Ogoina, who hails from Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State, is the Chief Medical Director of Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State.
According to Times Magazine, he was listed because, in 2017, Dr. Dimie Ogoina sounded the alarm on a new presentation of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) that he was seeing in Nigeria, then the world wasn’t ready to listen.
Recognizing the importance and potential implications for global spread, he persisted, documenting the potential for sexual transmission of Mpox and publishing the data in high-impact scientific journals.
As the global Mpox outbreak unfolded in 2022, Dimie’s insights became critically important to developing better strategies to prevent and control outbreaks.
In 2022, he was named one of Nature’s Top 10 Scientists in the World.
3. Siminalayi Fubara
The wait for an Ijaw governor in Rivers State came to an end following the election of Sim Fubara at the end of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
The Opobo-born politician was Accountant General of The State to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike before his election.
After more than two decades since the inception of democracy, the call for an Ijaw native to lead the oil-rich state reached unavoidable heights at the twilight of Wike’s administration.
While Fubara has not had a rosy affair as a result of the ongoing rift with Wike, his ability to hold his guard and not fickle out has already made Ijaws proud.
4. Jonathan Lokpobiri
Jonathan Lokpobiri’s emergence as President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) came at a time when the apex youth group in the Ijaw nation needed saving.
Since the election, Lokpobiri has somewhat restored the credibility associated with arguably the most potent youth body across the African continent.
From winning the respect of all major stakeholders and government agencies within the Nigerian state, Lokpobiri also led a delegation to the greener energy summit in Nairobi, Kenya as well as the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Council is once again potent because of a son who brought pride to the Ijaw nation in 2023.
5. Tompolo
2023 is one year High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo once again proved his instrumentality to Ijaws, Niger Delta, and the Nigerian state at large.
The efforts of Tompolo and his security outfit, Tantita Security Services Limited without doubt greatly contributed to a stabilized and increased daily oil production output of the country, leading to an increase in revenue and GDP.
Aside from meticulous service delivery, the outfit massively tackled unemployment by employing over 5,000 youths, men, and women across the region.
Not to forget that oil theft and illegal bunkering activities have been reduced to the lowest levels, oil spills on the rivers gone as well as the restoration of aquatic life.
Again, Tompolo delivered where it mattered most, drawing commendation from Ijaws and other ethnic groups alike.
6. Dr. Kingsley Magbei
Several Ijaws attained academic exploits but Dr. Kingsley Magbei’s feat stood out among the rest.
The 27-year-old, who hails from Obotebe, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, emerged Best Graduating Medical Student of the prestigious Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma Bayelsa State.
Aside from emerging as the Best Graduating Student, Magbei also won the accolades of the Best Graduating Doctor of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences and the Best Graduating Doctor, of the Faculty of Basic Clinic Sciences, and other awards.
While his efforts have gone unnoticed by authorities, the young lad received widespread applause from Ijaws across the globe.
7. Hon. Julius Pondi
The lawmaker representing Burutu Federal Constituency won a historic third term at the Federal House of Representatives at the end of the 2023 National Assembly elections.
While his reign in the Green Chamber has brought about vocal and quality representation, it is efforts outside the legislative quarters that got him a place on this list.
The young politician drew public applause after erecting a one-of-a-kind edifice that is nothing short of a state-of-the-art status in his hometown of Sokebolou.
A carnival-like opening ceremony attracted Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Senator Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Umaru Mohammed Bago of Niger States.
The dozens of House members and other government functionaries who attended the ceremony were caught in awe of the rare structure.
The lawmaker received a commendation for taking the lead in building a masterpiece of homes across the coast of the Nigerian state.
8. Vincent Akpikpi
One among two sports personnel on the list, Vincent experienced a meteoric rise of a year in 2023 with Nigerian Professional Football League sensation, Sporting Lagos.
Akpikpi, who hails from Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, captained the new entrants to Nigerian football from the Nigerian National League just eight months after formation.
9. Matthew and Esther Tonlagha
The astute businessman and his made their way to this list for masterminding the annual Benikurukuru Carnival.
The 2023 edition was headlined by one of Africa’s biggest musical exports to the world, Davido.
Despite the carnival being hosted in a remote terrain surrounded by water, a mammoth greeted the event which was held on Christmas Day.
Davido was joined by A-list Nollywood stars led by Kanayo O. Kanayo, Zubby Michael, Ini Edo, Big Brother Naija’s Ilebaye; not leaving out music stars and comedians.
Registered under the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, the turnout of the 2023 Benikurukuru Carnival has made it a tourist attraction and the next big thing out of Ijaw land.
10. Blessing Oborodudu
This wrestler has made not only Ijaws but the entire Nigerian nation proud over and over again.
Oborodudu followed up her silver-winning exploits at the Olympics with a gold medal in the women’s 70KG beach wrestling at the 2nd African Beach Games in Tunisia.
Blessing Oborodudu continues to represent Nigeria proudly, making waves and getting world recognition.
11. Dandizzy
Tuotamuno Darius was undoubtedly the biggest freestyle sensation in Nigeria for 2023.
The Andoni-born star delivers rap in both English and pidgin with utmost aplomb.
12. Payper Corleone
Elguapo Tombra Asikpi is another son who put Ijaw on the entertainment map in 2023.
The rapper won the Lyricist on The Roll Category with his Fly Talk Only rap single at the 2023 Headies Awards.
The rapper went on to also release his first album titled with the award-winning song as as title.
13. Wizard Chan
Fuayefika Maxwell, popular with the Wizard Chan moniker hails from Okirika, Rivers State.
He won the Best Alternate Song category at the 2023 Headies Awards with his Ijaw-themed Earth Song.
The song had Chan singing in the Ijaw language with visuals depicting Ijaw culture in full.
Wizard Chan is a proud Ijaw son.
So, that’s it. Ijaws did not do bad after all.
