News
Peretengboro Blasts Lokpobiri Over Rivers Crisis Remarks, Accuses Him of Siding with His Stomach and Insulting Ijaw Nation Further
By Divine Perezide
Warri, Nigeria — April 5, 2025: Prominent Ijaw Youth Leader and CEO of IduwiniVoice, Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro KlintinBibaikefie, has condemned the recent comments made by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) National President, Jonathan Lokpobiri, over the political crisis in Rivers State, describing his remarks as “reckless, disappointing, and a betrayal of Ijaw interests.”
In a statement released to press men in Warri, Dr. Peretengboro accused Lokpobiri of unfairly and shamefully blaming the Ijaw people for the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, while carefully avoiding any criticism of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is clearly the center of the crisis.
“Jonathan Lokpobiri is towing the same shameful path with the very weak President Bola Tinubu who either has zero knowledge of the mind games Wike’s camp has played throughout the said crisis or is the real orchestra of the entire imbroglio — exonerating Wike in the face of glaring complicity, just to protect his brother, the Minister of State for Petroleum,” Peretengboro said. “If his role as an Ijaw leader conflicts with his stomach, then he should do the honourable thing and resign. Better still, keep quiet, and allow the spokesman to speak for Ijaw people. But no, he needed to show to Wike on who’s side he stands”
The video of Lokpobiri’s controversial remarks, which has gone viral across social media platforms, shows him lambasting the Ijaw people over the situation in Rivers State. However, the IYC President made no mention of Wike’s role in the political instability and carefully crafted plot by Wike and Tinubu to remove Gov. Fubara, using the emergency declaration — a silence that has drawn sharp criticism from several Ijaw stakeholders.
Peretengboro insisted that Lokpobiri should have allowed the IYC National Spokesman to address such sensitive matters on behalf of the Council rather than acting in a way that undermines the unity and dignity of the Ijaw nation, even in the glirring face of suppression by someone from a lesser minority.
“The speech was infamous and unrepresentative of the true position of Ijaw youths. All well-meaning Ijaws must rise up and condemn this disgraceful display by Lokpobiri,” he said.
He further called on the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to urgently summon Lokpobiri and call him to order, stating that his actions threaten to erode the credibility of the IYC and diminish its capacity to defend Ijaw interests.
“We all understand the dicy fix, Mr. Jonathan finds himself in this whole situation. He has been very passive since the beginning of the crisis in Rivers State because of that, but the IYC is not a personal platform. It is a collective voice of all Ijaw people with a history of struggle. Lokpobiri has failed in his leadership by letting his stomach control his brain instead of letting the IYC do its job, and the INC must act swiftly,” he concluded.
The IduwiniVoice, which also monitored the viral video, reports that discontent is growing among Ijaw communities, with many demanding a retraction of Lokpobiri’s statement and a formal apology to the Ijaw nation, and others demanding outright impeachment of the IYC President.
By Favour Bibaikefie
Abuja, Nigeria – In a commendable display of appreciation, ‘Gen.’ Dennis Kpaidia, leader of the Tantita Odimodi Unit, has lauded the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro (PhD.), for his unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and leadership development in the Niger Delta.
This follows the commencement of a three-day day intensive training programme on Peacebuilding, Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation, organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja.
The training, held in the Federal Capital Territory, brought together selected youth and community leaders from various communities across the Iger Delta. The initiative forms part of the reintegration phase of the Amnesty Programme, aimed at equipping key stakeholders with tools for the effective leadership, dialogue, and nonviolent conflict resolution in order to forestall imminent intercommunity crisis.
Speaking to IduwiniVoice, Kpaidia expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Otuaro over what he described as a “visionary leadership style that prioritizes the growth and peaceful coexistence of the region.”He noted that such training sessions are vital in deepening participants’ understanding of conflict dynamics and in strengthening local structures for sustainable peace.
“This training has opened our eyes to new methods of resolving disputes peacefully and building consensus in our communities. I thank Chief Dr. Otuaro for investing in our future of the Niger Delta youth and for giving us the tolls to lead rightly.” Kaidia State.
The peacebuilding programme is expected to continue over the next two days, with sessions facilitated by security and conflict resolution experts, mediators, and development professionals from both civil and military backgrounds.
As the region continues its journey towards lasting peace and sustainable development, initiatives like this stand out as evidence of the evolving impact of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro’s stewardship.
News
PAP: Amnesty Boss Partners Nigerian Army, Lauches Leadership, Mediation Training for Niger Delta Peacebuilding
By Divine Perezide
Abuja, Nigeria – July 2025:
In a decisive step towards enhancing leadership effectiveness and deepening peace efforts in the Niger Delta, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, has flagged off a three-day intensive training session in Abuja.
The programme, organised in partnership with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), is taking place at the NARC complex in Asokoro and is tailored to empower key stakeholders from the Niger Delta with strategic peacebuilding.
Themed “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation, ” the training seeks to develop the knowledge, skills, and Attitudes (KSAs) required for participants to play active roles in conflict management and community-level Mediation. The initiative is expected to strengthen the leadership capacity of participants while promoting sustainable peace and social harmony in the region.
Speaking on the essence of the initiative, officials of the Amnesty Programme noted that the training reflects the renewed focus of Chief Dr. Otuaro’s administration on community empowerment and the the prevention of conflict through dialogue and nonviolent engagement.
“This programme is a vital step in building responsible, proactive leadership within the Niger Delta,” a PAP spokesperson remarked. “It’s about equipping our people not just with skills, but with the mindset to foster peace and drive development.”
The training also underscores the Amnesty Office’s commitment to broadening the scope of post-conflict reintegration efforts beyond economic development by institutionalizing community-driven peace strategies.
Participants included community leaders, youth influences, and stakeholders drawn from various Niger Delta communities who are expected to return home with practical tools to mediate disputes and foster collaboration.
The initiative aligns with PAP’s broader vision to consolidate peace gains and stimulate economic development through a culture of dialogue, leadership accountability, and conflict transformation.
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GbaramatuVoice, a leading award-wining media outlet in the Niger Delta, is set to celebrate a decade of impactful storytelling and journalism with a two-day event to be held on August 27 and 28, 2025, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. This milestone celebration will include a high-profile Public Lecture and the much-anticipated Niger Delta Night of Honour, both designed to highlight the platform’s dedication to advocating for the Niger Delta development, cultural identity, and social justice.
The Public Lecture on Wednesday, August 27, will kick off at 10:30 am and focus on the theme: “Gaps and Silences in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Economy: Appraisal of Resource Control, Security and Media Dynamics.” This lecture will bring together key stakeholders from various sectors, including government officials, oil and gas industry leaders, international oil companies (IOCs), security experts, diplomats, academics, and media professionals. The goal is to open up an honest dialogue about ongoing challenges in the Niger Delta, specifically around resource control, national integration, environmental justice, and the pivotal role the media plays in these issues.
“We’ve spent ten years covering the stories of oil, conflict, justice, and survival that often go unheard in mainstream narratives,” said the organizers. “This lecture aims to shed light on those silences and bring them to the forefront.”
The Niger Delta Night of Honour, taking place on Thursday, August 28, will follow in the evening, beginning with a red carpet reception at 4:00 pm, and the main ceremony at 5:00 pm. This glamorous event is dedicated to honoring individuals, institutions and cultural figures who have made significant contributions to the progress, peace, and identity of the Niger Delta. The night will feature awards, cultural performances, and special recognitions for those who have shaped the region’s development.
Mr. Jacob Abai, the Publisher and CEO of GbaramatuVoice, emphasized that this anniversary represents more than just a media milestone; it is a reflection of the organization’s purpose-driven journey. “This celebration marks ten years of courage, truth, and culture. We have been a voice, telling stories of resilience and challenging power while inspiring progress in our region,” Mr. Abai stated. “Our mission has always been to amplify the voices of the marginalized and document the rich heritage of the Niger Delta.”
The event will also feature impressive lineup of guest speakers, panelists, award recipients, and entertainers, with further details to be disclosed in the coming weeks. Dignitaries expected to attend include traditional rulers, governors, senators, leaders from oil-producing communities, and key players in diplomacy, civil society, and media development.
Organizers are inviting stakeholders, sponsors, the well-wishers to participate in this historic occasion. For participation, sponsorships, or media partnerships, interested parties can contact 0803 089 1146 or 0814 345 9986, or email info@gbaramatuvoicenews.com
Founded in 2015,GbaramatuVoice has grown into a leading pan-Niger Delta media organization, with a strong presence in print, digital, and television broadcasting. The platform remains committed to bridging the gap between the oil-rich communities of the Niger Delta and the rest of Nigeria, as well as the international community, with a focus on advocacy, cultural identity, and developmental journalism.
Credit: Channels Television of Facebook.