Featured Article: The Vital Role of the Ijaw Publishers Forum for Societal Progress

Featured Article: The Vital Role of the Ijaw Publishers Forum for Societal Progress 

......Strengthening the Fourth Estate and Civil Society Collaboration

By Engr John Perede Akpoyibo 

In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian media, the Ijaw Publishers Forum stands out as a beacon of journalistic integrity and community engagement. Founded on the principles of free press and societal progress, this collective of media professionals has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and advocating for the rights of the Ijaw people.  IPF has over the years demonstrated  multifaceted functions,  highlighting its significance as the Fourth Estate and emphasizing the imperative for closer collaboration with civil society organizations.

The Fourth Estate and the Ijaw Publishers Forum:

The concept of the Fourth Estate, referring to the press as a pillar of democracy, finds resonance in the activities of the Ijaw Publishers Forum. Through investigative journalism, news reporting, and editorial commentary, the forum serves as a watchdog, holding power to account and safeguarding the interests of the Ijaw community. By providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, they facilitate informed public discourse, essential for a vibrant democracy.

Functions of the Ijaw Publishers Forum:

1. Information Dissemination**The forum disseminates timely and accurate information, ensuring that the Ijaw people are well-informed about local, national, and international events that affect their lives.

2. Advocacy and Awareness

Through investigative reporting and advocacy journalism, the forum raises awareness about social, economic, and environmental issues impacting the Ijaw community, advocating for justice and accountability.

3. Cultural Preservation Recognizing the importance of cultural heritage, the forum promotes the preservation and celebration of Ijaw culture through features, interviews, and cultural events coverage.

4. Bridge between Government and the People: Serving as a bridge between government institutions and the grassroots, the forum facilitates dialogue, transparency, and civic participation, amplifying the voices of the marginalized.

The Need for Collaboration with Civil Society Organizations:

While the Ijaw Publishers Forum has made significant strides in upholding journalistic standards and promoting societal progress, there exists a compelling need for closer collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs). Civil society organizations often possess specialized knowledge, resources, and grassroots networks that can complement the efforts of the media in driving social change. By partnering with CSOs, the forum can leverage their expertise in advocacy, community mobilization, and policy analysis to achieve more impactful results.

Successful Collaborative Initiatives:

1. Advocacy Campaigns: Collaborative campaigns between the Ijaw Publishers Forum and CSOs have led to increased awareness and action on issues such as environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and socio-economic inequalities.

2. Policy Influence: Through joint research projects and policy briefings, the forum and CSOs have influenced government policies and legislation, contributing to positive change in areas such as resource governance and community development.

3. Community Empowerment  By pooling resources and expertise, collaborative initiatives have empowered local communities to advocate for their rights, access essential services, and participate actively in decision-making processes.

 The Ijaw Publishers Forum serves as a vital institution in upholding the principles of the Fourth Estate and advancing the interests of the Ijaw people. However, to maximize its impact, closer collaboration with civil society organizations is imperative. By working together, the forum and CSOs can harness their respective strengths to effect positive change, promote social justice, and foster inclusive development in the Ijaw region and beyond. As champions of democracy and social progress, the Ijaw Publishers Forum and civil society organizations represent formidable allies in the quest for a more just and equitable society.

Hon. Alapala Salute Constituents on Re-run Election Victory

Hon. Alapala Salute Constituents on Re-run Election Victory

 .... Says It is a dream come true

I want to sincerely thank everyone for the massive support reposed on me in the just concluded re-run election to represent Burutu constituency 1 in the Delta State House of Assembly. I thank you all for having faith in me. Thank you for the aggressive votes that propelled my victory.

Your votes blatantly demonstrates the love and trust you have for me to be the voice that will take us to greater heights in Burutu Local government area. 

Thank you Ayakoromo community, Oboro community, Enekorogha community and Edegbene community for making this dream a reality. I'm deeply moved by the expression of confidence from all four communities. Your kind gesture will certainly be reciprocated with development. I'm now convinced that I stand on the sturdy shoulders of dedicated people. 

Hon. Alapala Campaign Organisation, Delta State APC, Delta Ijaw APC i appreciate you for standing firm and engaging constituents reasons they should vote for me. 

Traditional Rulers, Chief's, religious Leaders, Ijaw Nation I'm most grateful for the massive support and prayers. 

Undiluted appreciation to our gallant military personnels that was deployed to make sure there is hitch free election. In fact, your presence circumvented all conceived impolitic  sinisters. 

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) thank you for conducting free, fair and credible election. 

You all know, I am passionate about serving others. I look forward to continuing to work for you as your state representative to restore jobs and prosperity and make it once again a place where people of all ages can count on a future.

Not only have you entrusted me with the responsibility of speaking as a state representative, but you also continue to provide me feedback I need to do it as it should be done.

Thank you once again. And i hope to make Burutu constituency 1 proud so help me God

God bless you all!!!

Hon. (Dr) Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo

Member Elect, Burutu constituency 1, Delta State House of Assembly.

Engr. Kestin to Chair IPF Inauguration on 29 Feb, Commends the Forum

Engr. Kestin to Chair IPF Inauguration on 29 Feb, Commends the Forum 

Warri __The forthcoming inauguration of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, got a boost on Tuesday when the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, accepted the Forum's invitation as chairman of the ceremony that is billed for February 29, 2024, in Warri, Delta State.

Chief Pondi made the decision to chair the occasion when he received a delegation of IPF members as led by its President Comr. Ozobo Austin of Congress Newspaper, at the Tantita's office in Warri.

Other IPF members present during the visit include Mr. Akemetubo Alex of Waffi TV, Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD of Parliament Newspaper and Rich & Famous magazine, Prince Perez Klint of Iduwini Voice and Mr. Abai Francis of PENGlobal,

.

The M.D. of Tantita applauded the Ijaw Publishers decision to join forces together to birth the formidable platform and also pledged his full support of the Forum's inauguration.

According to Chief Pondi, Ijaw people like other ethnic groups in the country are Nigerians but were wrongly misconceived and erroneously labeled as militants by those who were alien to their clamour for equity and justice.

He however noted that the era of other people telling the Ijaw and Niger Delta story is fading away as the Ijaw Nation is making tremendous progress with the coming on board of mainstream media organizations owned by Ijaw sons and daughters.

He urged the members of IPF to remain steadfast in their pursuit of rebranding the Ijaw Nation as well as making their contributions to its continuous growth in the region and in the country at large. 

Earlier, President Ozobo, while briefing the Tantita M.D. on behalf of the Forum's members, thanked Chief Pondi for the support the security firm has been offering indigenous media platforms towards their growth.

Comr. Ozobo also promised that the Forum will not disappoint Niger Deltans while he also plead for the continuous support of the body of Ijaw Publishers by other stakeholders in the region.

Mulade Appreciates lPF, Promises to Attend lnauguration on 29 Feb, 2024

Mulade Appreciates lPF, Promises to Attend lnauguration on 29 Feb, 2024

Francis Tayor

Warri ____ The National Coordinator Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Amb. (Chief.) Sheriff Blessing Mulade has promised to grace the forthcoming Ijaw Publishers Forum, lPF maiden inauguration slated for 29 February, 2024 in Warri, Delta State.

Mulade gave the assurance on Friday at his Africa for Peace Center office Ugolo, in Okpe LGA during a courtesy visit by IPF led by the National Chairman, Comrade Austin Ozobo. 

Mulade appreciated IPF for organizing themselves to form a formidable forum in promoting ljaw interest with their various media organizations. 

According to him, said:

" I want to first appreciate you all for your good works in promoting the ljaw cause with your platforms.

" I am honoured to be identified with IPF. By the special grace of God, l shall be part of your inauguration. With IPF we can tell the real story of the ljaws in the Niger Delta to the global world."

Speaking further, Mulade expressed confidence in Austin Ozobo capacity to lead IPF to an enviable height. While urging lPF to identify with NUJ national body in order to be a partner in progress.

Birthday: IPF Celebrates Engr. Kestin Pondi as he Clocks Plus 1

Birthday: IPF Celebrates Engr. Kestin Pondi as he Clocks Plus 1

The executives and members of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, join other well meaning Deltans, the Ijaw Nation, and Nigerians at large, in congratulating the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, on his Birth Anniversary.

It is no longer news the fathomable exploits that Chief Kestin Pondi-led Tantita is doing as regards the protection of national oil assets and the preservation of the Niger Delta environment, and in the process engaging and empowering the youths among other stakeholders.

The IPF therefore uses the opportunity of your Birth Anniversary and this medium to commend the M.D. for his selfless service to the nation and his love for the youths of the Niger Delta region. 

The IPF reiterates its commitment to continually join hands with the security firm to create more awareness on the hazards of pollution occasioned by oil theft and pipeline vandalism as well as lend our voices to the clamour for a better Niger Delta with equal opportunities for all by speaking against the many injustices meted out on the region. 

The IPF wish the Tantita M.D. long life and prosperity as we pray to God to grant him more wisdom, guard him from all harms, and continually elevate him in his patriotic service to the nation.

Once again, congratulations and Happy Birthday High Chief Kestin Pondi.

Signed:

COMR. OZOBO AUSTIN,

President, Ijaw Publishers Forum

Tantita Bags Best Security Award, Promises More Hard Work

Tantita Bags Best Security Award, Promises More Hard Work

Lagos ______ Private firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has vowed to do more in the fight against oil theft, as it bagged the best private security outfit in Nigeria at the New Telegraph Newspaper Awards 2024.

The ceremony was held Friday, in Lagos.

The indigenous firm is owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, a former Niger Delta freedom fighter.

Receiving the award, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to TSSNL, while disclosing that Tantita is targeting a two million barrel per day output for the country, stated that the award would spur the company to work harder.

He expressed gratitude to the newspaper medium for recognizing their efforts, recalling that the company, on getting contracted for the surveillance of Nigeria’s critical assets, “hit the ground immediately and results were seen.”

“From August 2022, Tantita Security Company has made so many revolutions in our oil sector that hitherto were not known. Particularly, tapping of major pipelines by miscreants in our country and siphoning petroleum products from those pipelines. So Tantita went after them and exposed them.

“In the first quarter of our job, we discovered over 400 tap points of major pipelines in Nigeria, so the award is well received, and we’re proud to be recognised as the best security company of the year.

“Reward for hard work is more work, so Tantita has promised to do more this year. Our goal is to make sure that Nigeria produces two million barrels of crude oil per day in the country.

“Certainly, Tantita is providing a support job, so it’s our call to our governors in the Niger Delta region, major oil industry players and the military to put more synergy with Tantita Security company to achieve the goal that is set out to be achieved,” he said.

The Editor of New Telegraph newspaper, Mrs. Juliet Bumah, while presenting the award, revealed that Tantita was picked out of four nominated security companies.

“Before our board and panel of judges decided that we will give the award to Tantita, we looked at what the security company is doing in the Niger Delta. We know the problem, we heard about them, oil theft and everything.

“It was not just Tantita Security Services that we picked, we had like four nominations for security company of the year. But after looking at what Tantita Security Services has been doing, our board of editors and panel of judges decided that Tantita merited the award

“Awarding Tantita as the security company of the year means that it came first for us among other security companies in Nigeria,” she stated.

On his part, former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who averred that Tantita has been “adding value” described the award as “a public acknowledgement of the things they’re doing. We celebrate them and encourage them to do more.

“We’re at a challenging period in the life of our nation, challenged at all fronts, challenges in the area of insecurity, the economy and even social cognition. And so, we need all hands on deck, we need everybody to think outside the box and bring whatever value they can bring to the table. In that way, we will prosper as a nation, we will be stronger and will be more united."

Just-ln: Tompolo, Bebenimibo, others to grace IPF Inauguration on 29 Feb in Warri

Just-ln: Tompolo, Bebenimibo, others to grace IPF Inauguration on 29 Feb in Warri 

Warri ____ Ahead of the upcoming maiden inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, scheduled for February 29, 2024, in Warri, Delta State, the group has appointed High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, and his media secretary Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, as father of the day and guest of honour, respectively.

This was revealed by the IPF President Comrade Ozobo Austin when the professional body of Ijaw publishers paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Bebenimibo at his office in Effurun.

The group thanked Dr. Bebenimibo for the warm reception and support towards building credible, dependable and a strong Ijaw-based media. 

The Ijaw Publishers further commended Tompolo for his dedication in the struggle for self-determination of the people of Niger Delta region, as well as for his support towards the growth of Ijaw media professionals.

In his response, Dr. Bebenimibo thanked the Ijaw publishers for finding him worthy to be appointed as a guest of honour in the inauguration ceremony to be organised by the Forum.

He promised to deliver the message to his Boss (Tompolo) and communicate back to the Forum at the appropriate time.

Among other members of the IPF in attendance are Magbei Tare (IPF General Secretary), publisher of Daily Report Nigeria; Mr. Oyinbi Onduku, (IPF Vice Chairman/Publisher of Niger Delta Mirror Ndm), Kagbala Ezekiel (IPF's Public Relations Officer), publisher of Focal Point; Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD of Rich&Famous, Anthony Demebide (MC Akpolokpolo) of Ultimate Report, and Abai Francis of PENGlobal.