𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥, 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝗣𝗙 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥, 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝗣𝗙 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

...𝗢𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗷𝗮𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.

...𝗘𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁, 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼/𝗧𝗩 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

...𝗡𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶, 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲.

...𝗢𝘇𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲, 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗰 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗼.

...𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗣𝗙 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

27𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 2026.

Warri stood still on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) formally inaugurated its second National Executive Council in a historic gathering that drew some of the most influential figures across Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

The epoch-making ceremony, held in Warri, Delta State, was more than a routine inauguration—it was a bold declaration of media strength, unity and renewed purpose for the Ijaw people.

The high-profile event was chaired by Amb. Dr. Shedrach Agediga, Chairman of the Delta State Board of Bursary and Scholarship, while the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, served as Special Guest of Honour, represented by Capt. Presley Perebor.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included Amb. Dr. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (Father of the Day), Dr. Sheriff Mulade, Se-Alabo Nengi James OON, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni (Chairman, Warri South-West LGA), Hon. Kofi Amassuomo, Gen. Godstime Ogidigba, Amb. Dr. Princewill Yerin Binebai, Comrade Nicholas Igarama (Chairman, IYC Western Zone), Barr. Omes Ogedegbe, Chief Keme Monday, Bishop-elect Peter Sunday, Prof. Ekanpou Enewaridideke, Richard Ebibofa and Ayaebi Onduku, among others.

It was a convergence of political leaders, media veterans, civil society actors and business moguls—all united behind the Ijaw apex media platform.

OTUARO CHARGES MEDIA TO TELL THE IJAW STORY TO THE WORLD

Delivering the keynote message, Otuaro congratulated the newly sworn-in executives and applauded the forum’s commitment to responsible journalism and regional development.

He urged members to uphold professionalism and sustain constructive engagement, stressing that only credible journalism can effectively project the Ijaw narrative to the global community.

ESELEMO DONATES SECRETARIAT, ANNOUNCES RADIO/TV PROJECT

In what many described as the highlight of the event, Guest Speaker Dr. Collins Eselemo challenged the forum to maintain independence and resist political manipulation that could derail its long-term vision. He called on Ijaw leaders and stakeholders to provide financial and moral support to strengthen the body.

In a groundbreaking gesture, Eselemo donated a flat to serve as the IPF Secretariat and pledged the establishment of an IPF Radio/Television station in the Niger Delta—sparking applause and renewed hope among members.

NENGI, MULADE PREACH UNITY AND GRATITUDE

Se-Alabo Nengi James OON, Vice President 2 of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and a frontline presidential aspirant in the forthcoming INC elections, congratulated the new leadership and urged them to remain grateful to supporters who stood by the forum.

Chief Amb. Comr. Sheriff Mulade emphasized unity among Ijaw media practitioners, urging the new executives to serve as role models and groom the next generation of journalists.

OZ0BO AUSTIN TAKES CHARGE, DEMANDS HONOUR FOR ISAAC BORO

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, described the event as a milestone marking continuity and renewed commitment to strengthening the voice of Ijaw publishers.

He pledged to expand professional opportunities for members and elevate the forum to greater national relevance.

In an emotional moment, Ozobo lamented what he described as the poor recognition accorded to the late Ijaw hero, Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro.

He called for a national honour in recognition of Boro’s sacrifice during the Nigerian Civil War, stressing that the late leader laid down his life for the unity of Nigeria and the emancipation of the Niger Delta.

ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

The ceremony also featured thrilling musical performances by Gen. Best May (JFred), rib-cracking comedy by Mr. Right and MC Be D Light, alongside colourful cultural dance displays that added glamour to the historic gathering.

NEWLY INAUGURATED IPF NATIONAL EXECUTIVES (2026–2028)

Comrade Ozobo Austin – National President

Onduku Charles Oyinbi – National Vice President

Tare Magbei – Secretary General

Benjamin Tamaradoubra – Assistant Secretary

Kagbala Ezekiel – Spokesperson

Kanjo Joseph – Financial Secretary

Mingo Friday – Treasurer

Tamaraupreye Ekpegha – Welfare Officer

With a renewed mandate, heavyweight endorsements and bold institutional pledges, the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum has signaled a new era—one poised to redefine media advocacy, regional storytelling and the future of Ijaw representation on the national stage.