News
OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
IduwiniVoice
OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
By Tobouke JEMINE
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has moved in to broker peace between the conflicting sides in the Okomou community and the Okomou Palm Oil Company.
The INC convened a placatory meeting among the stakeholders in the Ijaw Okomu community of Edo State at the palace annex of the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom in Warri, Delta State, on July 4th, 2024, to seek ways to restore lasting peace to the community.
After exhaustive deliberations, it was resolved as follows:
1. All factions should cease any further hostilities forthwith while the Ijaw traditional rulers further engage all critical stakeholders to resolve the crisis in the community.
2. All stakeholders in the community must commit to working together for peace to be immediately restored in the community.
3. All actions and counteractions by any group capable of escalating the present situation in the community must stop for the Ijaw Nation, through the INC, to properly approach all contending issues dispassionately.
4. The INC resolved to write and summon the Okomu Oil Palm Company to a serious engagement meeting to hear from them their role, action, or inaction in the ongoing process.
5. The Okomu Oil Palm Company is requested to account for their operations in the Okomu Ijaw domain with regard to their CSR.
6. Ijaws resolved not to be used as slaves or second-class citizens by any company or group in Edo State.
7. The INC totally condemns the divide-and-rule tactics adopted by the Okomu Oil Palm Company to continuously sow seeds of discord among our Ijaw people.
8. The INC demands that the Okomu Oil Palm Company account for what they have done for the Okomu community while paying the 12 billion naira annual tax to the Edo State government from their operations in the community.
9. The INC will mandate a delegation of traditional rulers to visit the king of Okomu to confer with him and pass these resolutions to him.
10. The meeting strongly condemned the failure/refusal of Omokachi Peretei and his group to honor the invitation and their disrespect of the INC by not attending the meeting aimed at resolving the Okomu crisis.
11. The INC strongly warns the concerned absent group to maintain peace and desist from escalating the present situation while the INC and the revered traditional rulers urgently move to get to the roots of the crisis in the interest of peace.
12. The meeting resolved that all groups involved in the crisis should not test the will and determination of the Ijaw Nation to bring the desired peace to the ancient Okomu Ijaw Kingdom and to all Ijaws in Edo State in general.
13. Stakeholders at the meeting are mandated to pass the resolutions of the meeting to their respective groups to abide by them at once.
14. All security agents are hereby enjoined to maintain law and order, respect the rights of the Okomu people, and desist from any form of harassment, intimidation, and/or indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens of Okomu Kingdom while the Ijaw Nation deals with this situation.
15. The Edo State Police Command, DSS, and Army authorities are equally enjoined to stop the threat of declaring people and/or youths wanted while the INC seeks a lasting solution to this problem.
16. The INC hereby commends the security agencies, especially the Army at the 4 Brigade and its commander Brig. Gen. Oduyemi, for their stabilizing role towards maintaining peace in the community.
Other kings in the meeting included the Agadagba of Arogbo, the Agadagba of Gbaran Kingdom, and a representative of the state director of the DSS.
Signed,
Prof. Benjamin Okaba
President, INC
By Warefa Pereke.
March 31, 2025.
Thousands of Dignitaries and Media Outfits Witnessed the Unveiling of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
March 29, 2025, will be etched in the annals of history as the day Iduwini Voice Newspaper was officially launched at the prestigious MBB Event Center. The highly anticipated event, drew thousands of dignitaries, media personalities, and enthusiasts from across the region to MBB event Center, Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State.
The launch ceremony, which commenced at 11:00 am, was a testament to the meticulous planning and organization of the Media team. The MBB Event Center was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, with attendees eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
In his welcome address, The Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, Dr. Peretengboro Clintin Bibaikefie, outlined the publication’s vision and mission, emphasizing its commitment to factual reporting, balanced analysis, and investigative journalism.
“Permit me to say that the idea of Iduwini Voice stemmed from a revolutionary vision that tasked me heavily in a deep ‘wilderness of the mind,’ thronging hard to come up with a catchy, fancy, and contemporary brand name, but kept being guided back to my root…For too long, our stories have been told by others – often with bias, misrepresentation, or outright immission, often intended to manipulate the powers that be against us Africans, Nigerians, Niger Deltans, and Ijaws in particular. The Iduwini Voice was founded on the principle of authenticity, truth, and empowerment. We believe that everyone has a story to tell, but not everyone has the platform to tell it. This is why we boldly adopted the slogan: “Voice of the Voiceless.””
“We will strive to provide our readers with accurate, timely, and engaging content, while also promoting the values of fairness, justice, and equality,” he said.
In his lecture delivered at the occasion of Iduwini Voice Newspaper/TV launch, entitled: “The Digital Tide And The Upsurge of Avant-Garde Journalism”, Professor Benedict Ebimotimi Binebai explored the remarkable journey of Iduwini Voice Newspaper and its impact on the media world. “Iduwini Voice delves into the vision of creativity and innovation that have made it a beacon of Avant-Garde storytelling. Iduwini Voice brings stories from the grassroots, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. It helps to preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of the Niger Delta region, and conducts in-depth investigations into issues like corruption, human rights abuses, and environmental degradation,” he said.
In his keynote address, The Father of the Day, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress, said that as the Ijaw Nation demonstrates its dedication to the development of the media industry, Iduwini Voice Newspaper will become a leading voice in Nigerian journalism, promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The chief Launcher, Chief Dr. Julius Takeme JP (Phd), The Olotu of Obotebe Kingdom, and Chairman, Burutu Local Government Council, pressed on the need for the Ijaws to support any Ijaw cause financially and otherwise. “We are proud to launch Iduwini Voice Newspaper, a platform that will provide a voice for the voiceless, promote transparency, and hold leaders accountable,” he stated.
Chief Comrade Cheriff Mulade, Director-General, Center For Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), who Chaired the occasion, emphasized the importance of a free and independent press in promoting democracy and good governance. He expressed his commitment to supporting the growth and development of the media industry in Niger Delta.
The event featured a range of activities, including a discussion on the role of the media in promoting democracy, a presentation on the history and significance of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, and a tour of the publication’s state-of-the-art facilities.
As the curtains drew to a close with a vote of thanks offered by Barrister Sam Ikporukpo, attendees were treated to a spectacular display of music, dance, and other performances, showcasing the rich diversity of the Niger Delta region.
Other dignitaries present were Pastor Adonis Osarobo, the Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Later Rain Zone, Spiritual Father of the Day, Hon. Julius Pondi, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment & Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Abuja, Comrade Newworld Endoro, Chairman, Odimodi Community, Hon. Dennis Yenbri Bibaikefie, Mr. Akin Benikrukru, PIA Chairman, Iduwini Host Community Development Board, Delta State.
Others were Comrade Isaiah Tamaraunimi Ingo, SA to the NDDC Chairman, Comrade Ozobo Austin,
Publisher of Cogress Newspaper & President, Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), Mr. Cletus Opukeme,
Publisher of Daily Watch Newspaper,
Also present were Arex Ambrose Akemotubo, CEO, WaffiTv & Auditor of Delta State PDP, Jacobs Brakere Abai, CEO of Gbaramatuvoice, Comrade Mike Ugedi, CEO of Delta Events Tv,
Ekpegha Tamaraupreye,
Publisher of South-South Daily, and a host of others.
In an interview with Media personnel after the lunching, the Editor-in-chief of the Ezon Efie Media outfit, Engr. Warefa Pereke, said that with its lunch, Iduwini Voice Newspaper has set a new standard for journalism in Nigeria, and its commitment to truth, fairness, and accountability is expected to resonate with readers across the Nigeria”.
PHOTO CAPTION: Dignitaries and guests at the launch of Iduwini Voice Newspaper at the MBB Event Center on March 29, 2025.
By Divine Perezide
Prominent Ijaw leaders, including the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, Professor Benedict Binebai, Chief Mulade Sheriff, and others, have rallied behind indigenous Ijaw media organizations, emphasizing the importance of community journalism in advancing the Ijaw cause.
Speaking at the official launch of IduwiniVoice over the weekend in Warri, the leaders acknowledged that the struggle for the Niger Delta’s development has evolved beyond physical confrontation to strategic media advocacy. They stressed that media reportage now serves as the voice of marginalized communities, highlighting the region’s underdevelopment to the wider public.
In their speeches, Professor Okaba, Professor Binebai, Chief Sheriff, and Burutu LGA Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Julius Takeme, underscored the critical role the media plays in Ijaw society.
Chief Sheriff Mulade, chairman of the occasion, praised the publisher of Iduwini Voice, Prince (Dr.) Klintin Bibakefie, and other Ijaw publishers for their dedication to promoting the interests of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta. He also commended Comrade Ozobo Austin, the national president of the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), for uniting Ijaw media professionals into a formidable force.
INC President Prof. Okaba highlighted the numerous challenges the Ijaw nation has faced over the past year, including political turmoil in Rivers State and the passing of key Ijaw figures such as Pa E.K. Clark. However, he assured that the Ijaw people remain resilient and confident in securing victory in ongoing political struggles, emphasizing that history has shown their ability to overcome adversity.
Professor Benedict Binebai urged Ijaw journalists to uphold principles of truth, accuracy, and fearlessness in their reporting. He referenced the legacy of the late Earnest Ikoli, a pioneering journalist from Ijawland, whose influence continues to inspire indigenous journalists today.
During his keynote lecture, Professor Binebai introduced a new journalistic approach, which he termed Avant-Garde Journalism. This unique concept, he explained, aligns with Ijaw reporters who experience firsthand the political, economic, and environmental injustices faced by their people. He argued that traditional journalism had failed the Ijaw cause due to biased reporting and manipulated narratives, which downplayed the extent of marginalization in the region.
With IduwiniVoice and other Ijaw media outlets championing the undiluted truth in what authorities describe as avant-gardejournalism, the leaders expressed optimism that indigenous journalism will continue to shed light on the struggles of the Ijaw nation and drive meaningful change.
By Daniella Perelade
President Bola Tinubu has shared details of a conversation that nearly led to the removal of Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The president disclosed this on Sunday when Wike, accompanied by a delegation of FCT residents, visited the State House in Abuja for a Sallah homage.
Tinubu explained that the issue stemmed from Wike’s request to exempt the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), a move the minister believed would improve efficiency in his role. While considering the proposal, Tinubu said he warned Wike that if such an exemption ended up benefiting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), it could put the minister’s position at risk.
The president noted that his remark was partly humorous but highlighted the political sensitivity surrounding the matter. Wike, a PDP member, played a controversial role in the 2023 presidential election by opposing his party’s candidate before being appointed as FCT Minister under Tinubu’s APC-led government.
In response to the president’s concerns, Wike assured Tinubu that the issue would be handled in a way that maintained political balance.
This exchange highlights the complex political interactions within the administration, where members of rival parties navigate governance while balancing party interests.