IduwiniVoice Community
PRESS RELEASE
Jehovah’s Witnesses Promote The Isoko Language With New Translation Office In Oyede.
July 4, 2024.
By Warefa Pereke.
Iduwini Voice.
Oyede – On July 6, 2024, Jehovah’s witnesses will inaugurate a new office building dedicated to Isoko translation in Oyede, Delta State, Nigeria. This facility will benefit an estimated 700,000 speakers of Isoko Language.
The facility’s purpose is to overcome language barriers by providing people with educational and Bible-based publications in Isoko, making the Bible and other scriptural publications accessible to Isoko speakers.
A local spokesman for Jehovah’s witnesses, Endurance Eloge, while speaking to newsmen said: “This initiative of translating free publications benefits the entire area because it allows for information to be available in Isoko”. He further stated that “the initiative contributes to the development and education of the approximately 700,000 Isoko speakers in Nigeria, as well as aiding in the preservation of the language. Jehovah’s witnesses are excited about this linguistical contribution to society”.
The Isoko people are one of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. They are mainly settled in the Niger-Delta. Of the more than 8,800,000 Jehovah’s witnesses around the world, more than 400,000 reside in Nigeria.
Since 1958, the difficult work of Isoko translation has been carried out by an accomplished group of local volunteers – mostly all native speakers – to ensure the highest quality translation possible. Unlike automatic translation software, the translators take into consideration all the nuanced aspects of the culture to achieve a clear and natural translation. So far, the team has completed the translation of hundreds of printed books as well as the Isoko Bible, brochures and audio publications in addition to digital and video publications that can be downloaded, at no cost, from the Jehovah’s witnesses official website, jw.org.
The new 3,926 square-metres facility is expected to accommodate 12 translators. “This new translation facility will allow for greater collaboration and provide translators with the resources they need in a centralised location”, said Endurance Eloge, the local spokesman for Jehovah’s witnesses.
For more information about Jehovah’s witnesses, please visit jw.org, which features practical Bible-based content in over 1,070 languages.
IduwiniVoice Community
IPF Expands Leadership Base with Capt. Braboke’s Induction into College of Patrons
By Favour Bibaikefie
The (IPF) has strengthened its institutional network with the induction of respected Maritime Don, Capt. Letthemsay Braboke Inaibagha, as a patron, in a move aimed at deepening mentorship and strategic guidance within the body.
The induction took place during a high-level visit by IPF executives to Inaibagha’s residence in Ogulagha, headquarters of the Ogulagha Kingdom, where discussions centred on leadership, media responsibility, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Led by IPF President, Ozobo Austin, the delegation said the decision to bring Inaibagha into the forum’s patron cadre was driven by the need to institutionalise experience and reinforce value-driven leadership within the Ijaw media space.
According to the forum, the new patron’s track record in enterprise, youth engagement, and community development aligns with IPF’s broader objective of shaping a responsible and impact-oriented media culture.
Ozobo noted that the induction was not merely honorary but strategic, emphasizing that individuals with proven records of mentorship and community service are critical to guiding the next generation of media professionals in the region.
He said, “We are deliberate about building a structure that allows younger professionals to tap into tested experience. His contributions over the years make him a natural fit for this role.”
The IPF leadership also acknowledged Inaibagha’s longstanding, though largely private, interventions across communities, describing his influence as one that has quietly driven positive change, particularly among youths.
Responding, Inaibagha accepted the role with a call for responsible journalism and constructive engagement in advancing the Niger Delta cause. He urged practitioners to prioritise intellect and peaceful advocacy in addressing regional challenges.
“IPF should always maintain a peaceful, yet firm disposition. Your appearance may be calm, but your pen can achieve great things,” he advised.
Observers note that the induction signals IPF’s evolving focus on consolidating leadership capacity and expanding its network of seasoned patrons, as the forum continues to position itself as a key voice in shaping narratives around development, governance, and resource equity in the Niger Delta and for the Ijaw people.
IduwiniVoice Community
Oporoza Agog as Gbaramatu Kingdom Flags Off 2026 Amaseikumor Festival with Cultural Grandeur
By Favour Bibaikefie
The people of ancient Amaseikumor. Festival has officially commenced in Gbaramatu Kingdom, ushering in a week-long celebration of spirituality, culture, and communal unity.
The annual festival, which spans seven days, is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Ijaw people. “Amaseikumor,” translated as “no evil should befall the community,” reflects the central theme of divine protection, thanksgiving, and ancestral reverence.
Activities for Day One, known as Ibolomoboere Day, were successfully held yesterday, drawing indigenes, cultural enthusiasts and tourists, and visitors from across the Niger Delta. The opening ceremonies featured traditional rites, prayers, and symbolic performances aimed at honouring ancestors and expressing gratitude to deities for bountiful harvests and communal peace.
The festival also serves as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Gbaramatu Kingdom, with displays of traditional music, dances, and age-long customs passed down through generations.
Organisers have indicated that more spiritually significant and culturally vibrant events are still ahead. Among the highlights are the anticipated Gbaraun-Egbesu Day, dedicated to the revered Egbesu deity, and the grand finale, which will feature the colourful Amaseikumor masquerade exhibition—often regarded as the climax of the festival.
Leaders of the Community noted that beyond its cultural significance, the festival reinforces unity, promotes peace, and strengthens identity among the people, while also attracting tourism and fostering cultural appreciation.
As festivities continue, expectations remain high for a successful celebration that will further project Gbaramatu Kingdom as a custodian of enduring cultural values in the Niger Delta.
By: Derick Peretengboro
The Odimodi Youth body has formally witnessed a change in leadership following the handover by the outgoing President, Comrade Laide Cyril Laide, to the newly elected President, Comrade Austin Benikurukuru.
Laide, who assumed office in January 2023 after taking over from Tarede Ebiarede, completed a two-year tenure marked by active youth engagement and organizational stewardship. The transition took place during the final Odimodi Youth Congress presided over by the outgoing Executive Council.
The congress was held on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, at Eluwe House, Odimodi, where formal documents and responsibilities were handed over to the new leadership team.
The congress was held on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, at Eluwe House, Odimodi, where formal documents and responsibilities were handed over to the new leadership team.
Sources close to the incoming President disclosed that an enlarged inauguration ceremony for the new Executive Council has been scheduled for January 10, 2026. The event is expected to bring together community leaders, youth stakeholders, and invited guests to formally usher in the new administration.
The peaceful handover has been widely described by observers as a positive signal of unity, democratic maturity, and continuity within the Odimodi youth structure.