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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MAIDEN EDITION OF THE IJAW PUBLISHERS’ FORUM (IPF) MEDIA CONFERENCE
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
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.