Deputy Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Fini Terah Angaye has enjoined Ijaw scholars to carry out more research on the life and times of late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, maintaining that Boro has been perhaps, the most celebrated Ijaw nationalist.

Describing him as a young man of great ideas, dreams and abilities, the deputy speaker noted that Boro was disillusioned with his experiences in the police force in Yorubaland, his studentship in Igboland and his citizenship in Ijawland, adding that such sad memories may have constantly reminded him that his ethnic nationality, the Ijaws, had no stake in the then emerging Nigerian state.

Hon. Angaye, who made the remark while speaking with newsmen in his office at the Assembly Complex Yenagoa recently, lamented that since the martyrdom of the Ijaw hero in 1968, no serious study has been done on Boro, stressing the need for scholars go beyond presentation of public lectures, drama sketches and political statements on the legend, to generate enduring literature on him.

According to the deputy speaker, only very little was known about Boro, adding that even those who claim to be his associates understand only a little about him.

He commended the Kolokuma-Opokuma Elders Forum for honouring Boro, posthumously, in their maiden awards series, pointing out that the essence of Boro’s doctrine, thoughts, actions and his place in contemporary political thought, particularly, the issue of resource control, which has been at the front burner of national discourse, have continued to elude the grasp of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

He reiterated that Boro’s abiding philosophy of liberating a minority ethnic group from perpetual political and social deprivation, in post-independent Nigeria, actually signified harmony between thought and action, saying that Boro’s passion for liberation of the Ijaws, was borne out of his earlier sad experiences that would have profoundly fashioned his thoughts, which distinguished him as the leader of his age.

Hon Angaye recalled that the failure of the London Conference to recommend an Ijaw state, combined with the ever-increasing weight of oppressive measures from the then regional government, may have provoked the Ijaw leaders to take more pragmatic measure to achieve a separate state.

He said Boro, through his exploits, awakened his people for action against the exploiters, informing that his revolt against the Federal Government, led to the creation of the 12 States in 1967.

The lawmaker, representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency III, described Major Boro as a patriot, too precious to lose or be forgotten, one that was pure in action, earnest in ambition and fond of study, adding that his noble achievements have been recounted in every village and hamlet, through out the Ijaw nation.