IduwiniVoice

Ordinarily, I would not descend into the digital alleys where faceless commentators roam, wielding borrowed pens on behalf of desperate political patrons. But when deliberate distortions are paraded as concern, and when silence is mistaken for weakness, one must respond not to validate the messenger but to preserve the sanctity of truth.

This so-called “Open Message” signed by one Oribo N. Einstein is nothing more than a veiled hatchet job authored by a faceless cyber apologist doing the bidding of his undisclosed paymasters. Let us be clear: this is not the voice of a “concerned Ijaw son.” It is the recycled rhetoric of those who have long sought to muzzle the Ijaw Nation’s conscience with orchestrated attacks on most visible advocates.

The writer, in a desperate bid to sound profound, acussed – President of the Ijaw National Congress-of being “too available” and “eroding the Sacredness” of my office by speaking to power. What audacity! When did it become unfitting for a representative of a historically marginalized people to voice their concerns with clarity and courage? Or is it that my interventions have rattled certain interests, hence this pitiful attempt to chastise the messenger of the Ijaw nation?

Let it be known that I do not speak to please, neither do I speak for applause. I speak because history demands it. I speak because silence in the face of injustice is complicity. I speak because the Ijaw people can not afford to return to the shadows while others dictate the terms of our existence.

It is laughable that the writer attempts to lecture me on dignity and statesmanship while hiding behind a digital mask. Who is Oribo N. Einstein? When last did he stand under the sun or sleep in the creeks with the very people he now claims to defend?

He quotes Aristotle and Syrus, but forgets that wisdom is not in quoting ancient names, but in defending living truth. Let me remind the anonymous writer: the throne I occupy is not ceremonial-it is a seat of responsibility, forged in struggle, anchored in sacrifice. If you mistake visibility for vanity, then perhaps you have never known the weight of leadership in a land where silence can be fatal.

The appointments of a few sons and daughters of Ijaw extraction-however appreciated-do not equate to the resolution of decade-long neglect. I have praised those efforts where due, but I will not allow crumbs to be mistaken for justice, nor shall I allow isolated gestures to be used as political tools to silence the broader demands of our people.

If the writer truly believes that I a “dancing to every drumbeat,” then he is clearly deaf to the deeper rhythm of the Ijaw struggle. For each word I utter is measured, each stand I take is considered, and each silence I break is done after careful and wide consultations with relevant groups and leaders across Ijaw nation, because history would not forgive me if I didn’t. So, to which of the above stakeholders does Oribo belong?

Let me advise those sending proxies to do their bidding: if you wish to engage me in person, my office, or the wider Ijaw nation, do so with identity, with credibility, and with honesty. Do not hide behind digital ink to insult a stool that generations have died to uphold.

The Ijaw National Congress will not be cajoled into docility. Not by orchestrated PR stunts. Not by those who seek to decorate silence as statesmanship.

We are not at war with any administration, but neither are we asleep. We will continue to engage constructively, demand justly, and speak boldly-until equity is no longer an exception, but the norm.

Let the merchants of confusion and their ghostwriters take note: your pen may be swift, but truth is eternal. And unlike you, history remembers those who stood.

Signed:

Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba,

President, Ijaw National Congress (INC).

* Presents Laptops To 663 Scholarship Beneficiaries

By Favour Bibaikefie

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has expressed unreserved gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR over what he describes as a totall support towards the success of the programme.

This was conveyed via a Press Release Otuaro made through his media aid, Igoniko Oduma at the conclusion of the offive’s distribution of laptops to final year beneficiaries of its scholarship scheme aimed at enhancing their academic research in universities across Nigeria.

The campagin which commenced in April saw the presentation of laptops to the last batch of final year students. Otuaro announced that a total of 663 laptops were presented to the beneficiaries in the 26 partnering and 72 non-partnering universities at the end of the exercise, which lasted until May 2025.

The PAP also carried out physical verification and orientation programme for the newly deployed 3,171 beneficiaries in the resumption list for the 2024/2025 academic session.

Various teams coordinated by the PAP’s Head of Education, Dr. Charles Ariye, visited the schools to distribute the laptops to the beneficiaries and perform the verification and orientation programme.

Speaking on the laptops distribution, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, reiterated that the decision was based on the realization of the usefulness of the mobile computing device to the students’ academic pursuit and overall success.

He said the gesture was in fulfillment of his promise to the scholarship beneficiaries during his tour of partnering universities in 2024.

While expressing optimism that the laptops would help the beneficiaries a great deal, Otuaro urged them to make good use of them and justify the government’s huge investment in their education.

He also said the physical verification and orientation programme was part of his leadership’s policy of due process, transparency and accountability to ensure a headcount of all beneficiaries, and enlighten the fresh beneficiaries on the PAP’s education policy.

Otuaro advised all PAP scholarship students to take their studies seriously and shun acts capable of putting their academic pursuit in jeopardy and ruining their bright future.

He restated his leadership’s unwavering commitment to implementing the programme’s objectives for the advancement of the Niger Delta and in support of President Bola Tinubu’s avowed commitment to the region’s peace, stability and development.

“We will continue to partner with the institutions and create access to university education for our youths, thereby reducing the human capital gap in the Niger Delta and contributing to national manpower development.

This is also with a view to deepening efforts to ensure sustainable peace, stability and socio-economic growth in the region in line with the renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”, Otuaro said.

The PAP helmsman expressed profound appreciation to the president for his massive support for the programme, noting that it demonstrates his undiluted love for the Niger Delta and the youths in particular.

Signed:
Mr Igoniko Oduma
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme
21/05/2025

“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone condemns in strong terms allegations made against High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and Dr Dennis Otuaro by the Itsekiri Progress Group (IPG) and other faceless groups within the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

“Ordinarily, Council would not react to mischievous allegations such as the ones raised by these elements who are frustrated by the outcome of the recent delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, but doing so could allow falsehood to appear as truth.

“To set the records straight, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro are sons and distinguished leaders of Ijaw nation who have contributed immensely to the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his first two years in office.

“It is evidently clear that the efforts of Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has caused the country to attain stable daily oil production volumes. Not only is Nigeria’s daily oil output approaching the two million barrels mark, Tantita is leading the charge for environmental cleaningness in the creeks in the face of a heavy degradation occasoned by oil bunkering activities in the past.

“Also, the company has overseen the employment of thousands of youths in the Niger Delta Region, with a huge chunk of that number taken from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

“On the other hand, Dr. Otuaro has reformed the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from its lost days to an entity of hope and solution to the Niger Delta region, drawing accolades and commendations from the Presidency, NSA and critical stakeholders in the region.

“Council, thus finds it unacceptable that multiple faceless groups under the guise of agitating for a review of the outcome of the delineation exercise would condescend to mischievousness and blackmail against two illustrious sons of the Niger Delta working hard to see that the President succeeds.

“We take full responsibility of the recent Boro Day celebration held in Warri, wherein thousands of Ijaw youths marched across our territories in the city of Warri, in memory of our late Hero, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. The event is a yearly ritual for the Ijaw people, and Dr. Otuaro’s appearance at the last outing was at the behest of Council, who beckoned on him to make a guest appearance as a critical stakeholder to the body.

“We therefore find it unreasonable and illogical for both Tompolo and Otuaro to be fingered for a joint statement by the Ijaws and Urhobo’s calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to speedily implement its recommended outcome from the delineation exercise, and urging the First Lady not to influence the process as she is mother to all.

“May we remind the Itsekiri nation that as First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu is mother to the entire country, and not solely owned by the Itsekiri nation. Hence, every Nigerian is obliged to make demands of her, which the Ijaws and Urhobos illustrated through their statement.

“Finally, The Ijaw Youth Council urges the Olu of Itsekiri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other leaders to call their youths to order and refrain from beating the drum of war in Warri and environs.

“While protest is a right for every Nigerian, the Itsekiris should take a cue from the Boro Day procession organized by the Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone that was peaceful in every way.

“We also condemn actions of the uncontrollable Itsekiri youths who protested in territories outside their jurisdiction, blocked major roads with tyres, destroyed properties, and attacked peaceful Ijaw people; all actions that could lead to retaliation and a breakdown of law and order.

“Council, therefore, urges President Tinubu to order INEC to implement the delineation outcome without any further delays to avert a looming crisis that may impede the progress and success of his administration.”

Signed:
Comrade Nicholas Igarama
Chairman, IYC Western Zone

Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq
Secretary, IYC Western Zone

Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone