IMMIGRANT TO CITIZEN, THE IJAW (IZON) PEOEPLE OF LONDON FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT

The NDPID is thankful to the United Kingdom’s National Lottery Heritage Fund and all the National Lottery Players in making it possible through awarding NDPiD an Heritage grant to undertake this Project titled ‘IMMIGRANT TO CITIZEN, THE IJAW (IZON) PEOPLE OF LONDON FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT’ as a part of bringing awareness and celebrating the diverse ethnic communities that have made London their home. We are pleased to announce that we have completed the project with the good news of the final outcome, the book named ‘THE IZON (IJAW) PEOPLE OF LONDON: FROM IMMIGRANTS TO CITIZENS 1808 – 2024‘ The Book is available on Amazon. Use the link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Izon-Ijaw-People-London/dp/B0D9SD8QPD?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Some early Izon (Ijaw) men in London, in the 1950s

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Niger Delta Peace Initiative and Development, (NDPiD), is a not-for-profit organisation, formed to find peace and remediation solutions to the frequent bouts of crises and the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, as a result of the neglect from the Federal Government of Nigeria, also takes interest in the well-being of Izon (Ijaw) people and indeed, the entire Niger Delta people in the United Kingdom. It has embarked on several activities/projects to bring people from the Niger Delta to address issues in Nigeria that concerns the Niger Delta region and also to bring Niger Delta communities living in the UK together for synergy. It does this by organising workshops, seminars, trainings, symposia, conferences and researches to proffer community-based solutions to prevailing issues.

NDPiD identified the cultural identity and the value system of the people of derived from the Niger Delta, living in the UK, like any other culture, as a confidence booster that can significantly improve the productivity and hence the lifestyle of these people and the UK economy in general. In 2023, it initiated and dedicated researchers into the history of the Izon (Ijaw) People of London. This was necessary because “The Izon (Ijaw) People of London‟ come from the Izon (Ijaw) ethnic nationality which is the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria.

The Izon (Ijaw) people were also among the very first Africans to come in contact and trade with the Europeans from the mid-15th Century, initially in the sad human tragedy of the Atlantic slave trade and then following industrialisation by the mid-19th century in palm oil trade which was essential for industrial machines. Despite being indigenous people to the oil and gas rich Niger Delta region that once generated over 90% of Nigeria’s foreign earnings, the Izon people’s diligence and quest for prosperity and advancement led to the migration of a number of them to the United Kingdom, not least, because historically their land which is a major part of Nigeria’s territory was a British colony.

Due to its limited resources to complete the execution of this important project, NDPiD reached out to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding and was awarded a £50,680.00 (Fifty thousand, six hundred and eighty pounds only). grant to implement this critical research project titled: IMMIGRANT TO CITIZEN, THE IJAW (IZON) PEOPLE OF LONDON FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT

The project aimed at recording and preserving the culture, lifestyle, migration stories and subsequent contributions of the Izon (Ijaw) people living in London. The migration stories varied depending on the arrival time but generally portrayed a positive and inspiring tales for those who would dare to pursue their ambitions against the barriers and hurdles on their way.

Most of the Izon people of London have managed to keep close ties. However, even though speaking the Izon language is challenging for some of them, the culture, food, fashion, and lifestyle remains attractive and the binding factors that hold them together. There is no doubt about the fact that the Izon People of London have contributed immensely to the social and economic life of London, and the UK at large and this will be understood by those who will take time to read the contents of this book.

As Chairman of NDPiD Projects Committee, I want to express my immense appreciation to the National Lottery Fund Heritage for the grant to carry out this pioneering and significant project that will be passed on from generation to generation to preserve the cultural heritage of the Izon People of London. I want to thank the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland, for the photos and other information we got from their archives. I want to thank the prominent Izon (Ijaw) persons in London who gave up their time to honour our invitations for them to tell us their stories for the book and for future generations.

I want to thank the Executive and trustees of the NDPID, and to express the privilege I have had in leading a team of tireless and dedicated experts, who have successfully researched and satisfactorily brought this book project to conclusion.

Jeffrey Osuya

Chair, NDPID Projects Committee