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IJAW NATION SECURES PROVISIONAL UNPO MEMBERSHIP, MARKING MILESTONE IN GLOBAL ADVOCACY
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has announced the Ijaw Nation’s provisional admission into the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples Organisation (UNPO), a development described as a major breakthrough in the Ijaw people’s long pursuit of global recognition and self-determination.
The INC confirmed that acceptance, effective from October 29, 2025, followed a formal review by the UNPO Presidency. The organisation, headquarters in The Hague, represents the interests of marginalized, indigenous, and unrepresented people around the globe.
Speaking from the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the decision marks a historic turning point for the Ijaw people, giving them an internationally recognised platform to spotlight decades of environmental degradation, political marginalization, and unaddressed human rights concerns in the Niger Delta.
According to Okaba, the management officers far more than symbolic recognition. It provides a strategic avenue for the Ijaw Nation to advocate for environmental justice, pursue stronger accountability from oil companies operating in their homeland, and amplify their longstanding demands for autonomy or genuine federalism within Nigeria.
He emphasized that the Nigeria Delta’s severe ecological damage – often described by activists as “environmental genocide” – would now receive greater global attention through UNPO’s channels. The membership also opens doors for technical support, capacity-building programmes, and international alliances with other indigenous and unrepresented groups.
The INC urged the Nigerian government to embrace the development as an invitation to renegotiate constructively and sincerely with Ijaw leaders on issues such as resource control, environmental remediation, and restructuring, rather than view the move as confrontational.
Okaba also expressed gratitude to individuals and allied ethnic nationalities who supported the INC through its application and advocacy process, describing the milestone as “a new dawn” for the Ijaw Nation’s aspirations.
With its new status, the Ijaw Nation now joins a global network committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and self-determination of communities whose voices have long gone unheard on the international stage
By: Favour Bibaikefie
A tragic road accident involving Nigerian-British boxing star Anthony Joshua has reportedly claimed two lives in Ogun State, sparking concern across the country.
The incident occurred on Monday around the Makun axis of the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most heavily trafficked highways. Preliminary information indicates that a vehicle conveying the former heavyweight world champion was involved in a collision with another car, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emeraina.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emerging.
Sources close to the development said Joshua survived the accident, but officials are yet to release a comprehensive statement on his condition or the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the cause of the collision, as motorists were advised to exercise caution while plying the expressway.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has long been notorious for road accidents, often linked to speeding, congestion, and poor visibility, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved road safety measures.
By: Doubra Stanley
ABUJA, Nigeria – December 26, 2025
The United States military launched coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria on Thursday, confirming a significant escalation in international counter-terrorism cooperation.
President Donald Trump announced the operation, saying U.S. forces had carried out “powerful and deadly” strikes against militants linked to Islamic State in Sokoto State.
According to official statements, the strikes were ordered at the direction of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief and carried out with the support of Nigerian authorities, CBS News reported.
The U.S. Department of War released video footage showing munitions being launched toward militant positions, underscoring Washington’s commitment to confronting extremist groups in West Africa. U.S. Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent, said the initial assessment pointed to the death of several ISIS fighters, Fox News reported.
In a social media post, President Trump framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to halt attacks on vulnerable communities, particularly in areas where extremist violence has surged.
Nigerian officials described the operation as part of ongoing security cooperation, emphasizing shared intelligence and strategic planning to counter persistent threats from extremist factions.
The operation marks one of the most visible U.S. military actions in Nigeria in 2025, reflecting deepening ties between Abuja and Washington in addressing the complex security landscape marked by Islamist insurgencies and criminal violence. Nigerian authorities reiterated that the fight against terrorism transcends religious lines, stressing that violent groups have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities in recent years, Reuters added.
Security analysts say the strikes may signal further foreign involvement in countering extremist networks in the region, even as Nigerian forces continue domestic operations against multiple militant groups.
© IduwiniVoice
By: Divine Perezide
As the countdown begins for the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference Volume 2, the organizers, Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has announced that the President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, has accepted the role of Guest of Honour come December 2025.
IPF had earlier announced the second edition of its annual event, with the Christined “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
Chief Lawuru, the young Ijaw businessman and politician, received a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo last Monday, where the invitation was extended to him.
Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters. The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reporting, and encourage leaders to protect the resources of the Niger Delta for generations to come, adding that Lawuru’s antecedence of service to humanity and unwavering commitment to community development made him a natural choice for the role.
Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such the IPF. He commended the Forum for using media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.
Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to throw their weight behind efforts that safeguard the resources and environment of Ijaw nation in particular and the larger Niger Delta region.
As the train continues to galvanise leaders across the region, IduwiniVoice can report that the who is who in the Niger Delta from business to political sphere are marked to be in attendance.
IduwiniVoice