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Ijaw Media Professioners Tasks Delta Govt to Disclose Capital Projects Allocated to Ijaw Area in the N979B 2025 Budget
By Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), the top media council representing Ijaw interest globally, has criticized recent claims by Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the Director General of Orientation and Communication in Delta State, regarding budget allocations for Ijaw riverine communities. Speaking on a Lagos-based radio program, Latimore had asserted that the state’s N979 billion 2025 budget includes major infrastructural projects for Ijaw communities and highlighted efforts by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to empower over 250,000 entrepreneurs through various programs.
Latimore stated that the approved budget featured “improved and renewed rural and riverine mega roads alongside other infrastructure projects aimed at boosting intra and inter-trade opportunities.”
However, the IPF, through a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, challenged the Delta government to substantiate these claims. The group accused the administration of neglecting the oil-rich Ijaw riverine areas and described the government’s approach as deceitful and based on propaganda. According to Austin, a responsible administration would prioritize the welfare of its citizens rather than making empty promises.
“The government operates on lies and propaganda,” the statement read. “A responsible leadership would feel the pains of its people rather than worsen their plight with non-existent, ‘audio’ projects.”
The IPF particularly pointed to the long-delayed Ayakoromo Bridge project as an example of such empty promises. The group argued that the bridge has been consistently featured in budgetary allocations without any significant progress.
During the same radio program, Latimore had also noted that the state government had empowered over 250,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through the Delta-CARES initiative under the Ministry of Women Affairs and the State Bureau for Wealth and Job Creation. However, the IPF dismissed these claims as fraudulent, insisting that no Ijaw communities or media enterprises were aware of any such opportunities.
The statement continued, “We challenge the Director General to publish the specific projects allocated to Ijaw communities, along with the names and locations of businesses or individuals who benefited from these empowerment programs.”
The IPF further accused Latimore of engaging in political propaganda to bolster the image of the administration at the expense of genuine development in Ijaw communities.
“We won’t tolerate such media charades anymore,” the group emphasized. “These so-called projects are nothing more than beautifully crafted stories by media strategists like Dr. Fred Latimore, who are skilled in propaganda but fail to deliver tangible results for Ijaw development.”
The statement also expressed disappointment over the lack of meaningful progress in Ijaw areas during previous administrations led by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The IPF concluded by urging Governor Oborevwori to provide a detailed breakdown of projects earmarked for Ijaw communities in the 2025 budget. “We want the government to publish a comprehensive list of projects allocated to Delta Ijaw communities, along with the corresponding funds set aside for each. Additionally, we demand transparency regarding the Ayakoromo Bridge project and the names of Ijaw beneficiaries of the D-CARES program,” the statement added.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to holding the state government accountable to ensure equitable development across all communities, particularly the marginalized Ijaw riverine areas.
By Warefa Pereke.
April 2, 2025.
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, Dr. Bibaikefie Clintin Peretengboro, has extended a sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all donors, attendees, and well-wishers who contributed to the resounding success of the newspaper’s unveiling ceremony.
The highly anticipated event, which took place on March 29, 2025, at the prestigious MBB Event Center, Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone in the history of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
Dr. Peretengboro expressed deep gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations that supported the newspaper’s launch. “We are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation for the outpouring of support we received from our donors, attendees, and well-wishers,” Dr. Peretengboro said. “Your contributions, whether financial, moral, or otherwise, have been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful.”
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief also extended special greetings to the following persons:
Chief Dr. Julius Takeme JP. (PhD), Chairman, Burutu LGA, Hon. Julius Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, DG. Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Pastor Adonis Osarobo, the Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian church, Comrade Newworld Endoro, Chairman, Odimodi Community, Hon. Dennis Yenbri Bibaikefie, Mr. Akin Benikrukru, PIA Chairman, Iduwini Host Community Development Board, Comrade Isaiah Tamaraunimi Ingo, SA to the NDDC Chairman, and the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), for their tireless efforts in promoting the newspaper’s launch.
Dr. Peretengboro also thanked the organizers, volunteers, and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event.
Iduwini Voice Newspaper is committed to providing accurate, timely, and engaging content to its readers, while promoting the values of fairness, justice, and equality. With the support of its donors, attendees, and well-wishers, the newspaper is set to make a meaningful impact in the region.
Again, we at Iduwini Voice extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported the newspaper’s launch. We look forward to continuing to serve our readers and the clan with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” Dr. Bibaikefie concluded.
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Guest Article: The Battle for Nigeria’s Oil Security – Exposing the Forces Undermining National Revenue & the Tompolo Factor
By Tosan Blessing
Long before the conspiracy of evil men led EFCC to declare Tompolo wanted over a case the EFCC could not directly pursue, a case where the facts in issue revolves around the ownership of the land upon which the Nigerian Maritime University was built for which the federal Executive council paid a paltry 13 billion out of a projected 26billion being a buy over of Mieka Diving institute, propety of Tompolo, which property became part of the charter facility of the Nigerian Maritime University, Tompolo and some itsekiri elements were the ones the pipeline security contract was given. Soon after in the unwarranted and cynical rage of the then Hon Minister of Transportation, the contract was pulled off Tompolo and given to one of the APC ilks known for circumvention and volte face characteristics. Once this company this guy represents took over it became business as usual. Even the companys MD/CEO visited Tompolo and said he was going to offer him 900m as part of his commitment to rein in him into what they were doing in the oil river but known for being averse to greed, Tompolo refused, telling that company’s MD/CEO to go ahead with his job, that they are brothers. No one raised the issue of the scope of works given to that company then. Under the watch of that company over 80 percent of oil revenue went into private pockets. At this time the nations foreign reserves began to deplete. The sub national governments began to live by Paris loans refund. No Nigerian or CIvil societies organisations questioned the activities of that interlocutor survellance company. It took Mr Bashir Jamoh a then DG of NIMASA, even in the seeding congruence of losing his job to allege that the new company engaged in pipeline protection for NNPC and by extension ancillary revenue sourcing for NIMASA had not been able to meet its projected revenue ceiling. He insisted that a previous Messrs Global West run by Tompolo and others, evilly removed from the job by the conspiracy of evil power brokers in government then was doing better and collecting thrice as much to breaking its given fiscal ceiling. The NNPC board ruffled by the alarm coming from a government agency announced it was taking its part of the job of pipeline surveillance from that company. It was at this instance given the energy emergency, that Tantita came on a national rescue and in quick raids it conducted even against the open aversion for its operation by some elements of the military, the nation is beginning to see the results- illegal pipelines here and there have been toppled, arrest and decommissioning of bunkering vessels, sacking of kpofire artesanal activities, and other evil grandstanders running kiti kiti kata kata. Now that oil revenue has peaked the evil profiteers have re emerged and in the name of legal actions are asking for an order mandamus for Tantita to produce the scope of its assignment. I argue that Tantita has no business with any third party intruder on the job it got freehold from the NNPCL that was publicly quoted and bidded for. Any one asking for such spurious order should approach the NNPCL. I further argue that if God cannot manage his own people in Egypt but ensured all of them died in a difficult journey through the wilderness, the presidency needs to go after these evil men who ensured this countrys export output had remained at a perilous margin with concomitant effect on the country’s GDP and growth economics to clear their doubts of their evil demeanours everywhere and their accomplices. I think if the government can summon the will to do this it will checkmate this errant attitude of criminals who still want to ensure that the Nigerian State remain rentier.
The 57th Boro Day 2025 Central Zone Planning Committee has officially rolled out the schedule of events for this year’s celebration. The announcement was made by the chairman of the planning committee, Evangelist Parkins Ogede, following the committee’s maiden meeting held in Yenagoa, on Sunday 30th Match 2025.
According to the chairman, this year’s Boro Day Central Zone celebrations will serve as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw people. He emphasized that the events are in line with the Central Zone’s theme: “Our Heritage, Our Pride- Boro Lives on”
Scheduled Events
Day 1: Tuesday, 13th May 2025 – Boat Regatta & Wrestling
• BOAT REGATTA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 10 AM
• Venue: Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
• WRESTLING MATCH
• Featuring two top wrestlers from Ijaw Nation and their supporters
• Time: 5 PM
• Venue: Kaiama Town
Day 2: Wednesday, 14th May 2025 – CULTURAL DISPLAY INTER LGA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 11 AM
• Venue: Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
Day 3: Thursday, 15th May 2025 – BORO MEMORIAL LECTURE, DINNER AND AWARD NIGHT.
• Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel, Onopa, Yenagoa
• Time: 2 PM
MEMORIAL FOOTBALL MATCH: IYC National Executivies/Central Zone Vs Clans in Central Zone
Time: 8am
Day 4: Friday, 16th May 2025 – BORO DAY PROCESSION PROPER
The Central Zone Planning Committee urges all participants and attendees to prepare for an exciting and memorable Boro Day 2025.