The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) held its maiden Media Conference and Annual Dialogue with the theme ‘Advancing the Quest for Economic and Political Justice’ at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, where sundry issues as they affect the Ijaw Nation were extensively discussed. The conference was attended by media practitioners, environmental activists, top government officials, among others.

The conference deliberated on the division in the Ijaw Nation caused by partisan politics, and consequently decried such an act.

The conference also looked at the attitude of some Ijaw political office holders towards their Ijaw brothers and sisters. The conference was specific on instances of some Ijaw political office holders shutting their doors to their Ijaw brothers and sisters; and more so preferring outsiders to their Ijaw brothers and/or sisters in terms of assistance.

The conference expressed worry on some national issues as they affect the Ijaw Nation. The conference was specific on the ongoing debate on the tax reform bills before the National Assembly, and the apparent silence by the Ijaw people.

The 2024 Media Conference and Annual Dialogue at the end of the deliberation resolved as follows:

That the persistent marginalisation and oppression of the Niger Delta people by the Nigerian Federal Government has led to a growing demand for resource control and self-determination.

That, as a region and Ijaw people who continue to bear the burden of the nation’s oil wealth, its people are increasingly seeking greater autonomy and control over their natural resources.

That the Federal Government and other stakeholders must take immediate action to address the pressing issues such as environmental degradation, economic marginalization, and political exclusion, etc. facing the Niger Delta region.

That the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta at large must be united and determined to challenge the continuous marginalisation and demand a better future for themselves and their children.

That the Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta region have long been plagued by issues such as environmental degradation, economic marginalization, and political exclusion, yet, despite these challenges, the region particularly Ijaw Nation must remain resilient and determined to fight for their rights.

That the Ijaw people must continue to rise up against economic, environmental, and political injustice, until their voices are heard, and their rights are respected.

The conference demanded for greater investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as the need for more inclusive and representative governance.

That Ijaw people must come together and take a common position on the ongoing debate on the tax reform bills before the National Assembly, and that the Ijaw Nation must gather its best brain particular in the law profession to critically look into the Bill and take an anonymous position even as the NASS prepares for the public hearing.

That Ijaw leaders particularly political office holders must play an open door policy, keep their office doors open to their Ijaw brothers and sisters, and must rise to their assistance when such need arises.

That if the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta region fails to stand in unison and fight as one, the region and the Ijaw would be the loser.

That the unity of the Ijaw people depends on the Ijaw themselves who have always constituted themselves as their own hindrance.

That despite the struggles of the Ijaw people for political, environmental, social and economic emancipation, the Ijaw Nation is yet to make any progress because of the selfish interests from some leaders who always put their interests first. As such, those politicians representing the Ijaw people or the Nation at the organs of government should put the interest of the Ijaw Nation first.

That the Ijaw people need to reflect deeply on what they define as fairness, and need to put Ijaw Nation first inorder to move it forward.

That the Ijaw people must hold accountable their sons and daughters, likewise institutions who have betrayed the interests of the Ijaw people.

That the armed struggle which started with the birth of the INC and the IYC against the Federal Government and multinationals is now different, lamenting that it has become a personal struggle compounding the neglect of the Ijaw people, poverty, environmental genocide and general unrest in Ijaw Nation, thereby defying the dividends of democracy, justice and development, which has been dethroned by personal interest.

That if the Ijaw Nation must thrive, the Ijaw people must ensure to preserve their cultural identity, languages, traditions and values for the future generations, as well as promote social cohesion throughout the Ijaw Nation regardless of zonal differences, so as to overcome internal divisions.

The conference also addressed the issue of poverty in the Niger Delta despite being an oil and gas producing region especially within Ijaw communities.

That the governors of the Niger Delta region particularly those from the Ijaw extraction should promote entrepreneurship and educational opportunities for the people through the Ministry of the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the Amnesty Programme.

That the Ijaw people must play politics that is in the interest of the Ijaw people. Its leaders should rise up and form their own political parties if they are to break away from political slavery.

That Ijaw leaders and all well-to-do Ijaw sons and daughters should give support in terms of finance to Ijaw media practitioners who are telling the Ijaw story from the right perspective.

Communique drafting committee members:

Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Info Daily Media

Francis Abai, Pen Global Media

Tare Magbe, Daily Reports Nigeria

Arex Akemotubo, Waffi TV