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Just In: Ijaw National Congress Strengthens Ties in Diaspora, Visits Ghania’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide paid a Courtesy Visit to Ghana’s Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Ministry in Accra, Ghana. The visit reportedly happened on September 1, 2025 – where members of the Ijaw community in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Ministry to strengthen cultural ties and officially introduce their presence in the country.
Led by representatives of the Ijaw Diaspora in Ghana, the delegation announced the upcoming visit of the INC Worldwide President, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, and shared their intention to formally register the Ijaw National Congress as a socio-cultural organization in Ghana.
The group emphasized the historical and cultural connections between the Ijaw people, primarily located along the Niger Delta in Nigeria, and coastal communities in Ghana. Their aim, they noted, is to promote mutual cultural understanding, engage with key institutions, and contribute positively to the Ghanaian socio-cultural space.
Receiving the delegation, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts warmly welcomed the group to Ghana, expressing optimism about the growing cultural engagement between the two nations. He noted the similarities between the Ijaw and certain coastal Ghanaian ethnic groups, such as the Ga and ewe people, and commended the delegation for highlighting these shared cultural traits.
Hon. Jajah also reassured the group of Ghana’s hospitality and peaceful environment, while advising that due diligence will be maintained by security agencies to ensure that all civic activities are aligned with national interests. He cautioned against any form of criminality or misrepresentation that could damage the Congress’s reputation, or the harmony Ghana enjoys.
“It’s refreshing to learn that your West African regional office will be based here in Ghana. We welcome this development, and we are happy to live in peace with all our brothers and sisters from the region,” Hon. Jajah said.
He further emphasized the importance of unity, peaceful co-existence, and lawful operations, encouraging the Ijaw community to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s multicultural society.
Supporting the Deputy Minister to receive the delegation were Mr. Joseph Kwasi Amoah, Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Jeoffrey Tamakloe, Director of Tourism and Mrs. Efua Kouguah Houadjeto, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
Source: Delassie Mabel Awuku – PR- Unit -MoTC
By Charity Ebi
Prominent Niger Delta groups, including the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) and the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), have passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), as he marks two years in office.
The stakeholders, in separate statements, commended Otuaro’s leadership, describing his tenure as transformative and reform-driven. They noted that within two years, the PAP boss has overseen institutional restructuring, expanded foreign scholarship opportunities, strengthened vocational and marine training programmes, and deepened youth empowerment initiatives across the Niger Delta.
According to the groups, the reinstatement of foreign scholarship schemes and technical training programmes has benefited more than 2,000 students and former agitators, boosting human capital development in the region. They also credited Otuaro with fostering improved collaboration between the amnesty office, community leaders and critical stakeholders, thereby strengthening trust in the programme.
The South-South Traditional Council and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, also joined in applauding the PAP Administrator. They described him as a “game-changer” and a “bridge-builder” whose accountability and peacebuilding efforts have enhanced stability in the region.
Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Otuaro has repeatedly emphasized transparency, structured reforms and sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries. Observers say his administration’s focus on education, skills acquisition and stakeholder engagement reflects a shift toward long-term development rather than short-term interventions.
The endorsing groups urged Niger Delta leaders to sustain their support for the programme, expressing confidence that continued reforms under Otuaro would further consolidate peace and development in the oil-rich region.
By: Derick Peretengboro
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) has taken a significant step towards its upcoming leadership transition with the inauguration of an Electoral Committee to oversee its next election.
The committee was formally inaugurated during a congress held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Warri, Delta State.
According to the forum, “Mr. Francis Abai of Pen Global, Mr. Cletus Opukeme of Daily Watch, and Mr. Joseph Kanjo of Info Daily were nominated to serve on the Electoral Committee.” Following the nominations, “Mr. Abai was appointed Chairman, while Mr. Opukeme will serve as Secretary. Mr. Kanjo is a member of the committee.”
The move comes as the incumbent National Executive Council, led by Comrade Ozobo Austin, approaches the end of its tenure. The current NEC is expected to step down on February 29, 2026, paving the way for a new leadership structure to emerge through what stakeholders hope will be a credible and transparent process.
In a related development, the forum also constituted a Constitution Review Committee to strengthen its internal regulatory framework. Membership of the review panel includes “Mr. Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria, Mr. Francis Abai of Pen Global, and Mr. Ezekiel Kagbala of Focal Point.”
Both committees are expected to “play key roles in strengthening the forum’s internal processes and ensuring a credible and orderly electoral exercise,” a statement from the forum noted.
The inauguration has been widely regarded within the IPF as a proactive measure to enforce accountability, enhance democratic participation, and consolidate the forum’s institutional integrity ahead of its crucial transition.
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Matthew Tonlagha’s 50th Birthday to be Marked With Worship & Thanksgiving in Effurun, Feb. 2nd.
By: Divine Perezide
Effurun, Delta State — The Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, will celebrate his 50th birthday with a worship-centred thanksgiving event, tagged Birthday Praise Day, on Monday, February 2, 2026.
According to details released by GbaramatuVoice, the golden jubilee celebration will take place at the Mieka Event Centre, located within Mosheshe Estate in Effurun. The programme is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
Organisers described the event as a spiritually focused gathering that blends worship, gratitude, and reflection rather than a conventional birthday party. The celebration is aimed at acknowledging what Mr. Tonlagha has reportedly termed “Grace upon Grace” over the course of his life.
The occasion will feature notable gospel ministers from across Nigeria, who are expected to lead attendees in praise and thanksgiving. The organisers stated that the session will highlight five decades of divine guidance, favour, and accomplishments in Mr. Tonlagha’s family life, business endeavours, and personal journey.
Relatives, friends, business associates, well-wishers, and members of the Christian community, have been invited to participate. The hosts said the event will be marked by joyful worship, heartfelt testimonies, and expressions of gratitude, reflecting what they consider God’s faithfulness through the years.
The statement urged attendees to come in a spirit of expectancy, ready to join in collective praise as the celebrant reaches the milestone age of 50.