Editorial  – IduwiniVoice

Government Oweizide Ekemupolo is 4th Century descendant of The progenitors of the Oru tribe, the archetypal Ijaws, who settled in the central Niger Delta and over time, who developed and spread to the entire Niger Delta. He his an embodiment of the ancient and modern ways and forces of the ijaw ancestral greats, ruled my ancient spiritual and human laws, a man and a superman.

Prior to 1600 AD, the Ijaws first and formally formed city-states on their island of abode in Central Niger Delta. The city-states were named Agadagba-bou, Isomou-bou, and Opugla-bou. The popular city-state was called Agadagba-bou, which, according to history, flourished for 400 years until it got abandoned in 1050 CE. That was the period Ijaw people migrated within the central Niger Delta and spread to the Western and Eastern Niger Delta.

Agadagba-bou, Isomou-bou, and Upugla-bou, which represented the Ijaw civilization at the historical island, long before it was named Wilberforce Island, had cultural, spiritual, linguistic, and occupational homogeneity.

They were all worshippers and believers of the sky God. The sky God that the Ijaws call today, even from ancient times, is Egbesu. It is believed that the Wilberforce Island was known as a forest named after Agadagba, the most powerful chief priest of Egbesu, who also doubled as the military general of the Izon nation.

Agadagba-bou, as a nomenclature, derives its bearing from Agadagba, the chief priest and generalissimo who once reigned on the Wilberforce Island. It is certain that the island hosted the Ijaw nation long before the time of Agadagba because Agadagba was appointed a chief priest and military general during his time by a potentate ruler of Ijaw nation.

In the primordial mists of time, Agadagba, the illustrious military general and chief priest of Egbesu, strode forth from the hallowed grounds of Agadagbabou, his footsteps echoing through the annals of Ijaw history. This revered figure, a paragon of martial prowess and spiritual wisdom, embodied the dual essence of his people, wielding the sword and the sacred staff with equal aplomb. The whispers of the ancients tell us that Agadagba’s reign predated the 1600 AD, a bygone era when the Ijaw nation thrived in harmony with the rhythms of the Niger Delta.

Agadagbabou, the cradle of Ijaw civilization, slumbers beneath the weight of centuries, its sacred soil serving as the final resting place of the ancestral spirits. Here, the venerable dead lie entombed, their ethereal essences lingering, awaiting the supplications of their descendants. Alas, the diaspora of the Ijaw people has occasioned a lamentable disconnection from these archetypal forebears, a severance that has hindered the unfettered flow of ancestral blessings, those numinous benedictions that are the birthright of every society.

For it is an immutable truth that the progress of a people is inextricably linked to the approbation of their ancestors.

The epochs have passed, and Agadagba’s terrestrial sojourn has long since drawn to a close, yet the imperishable essence of this legendary figure endures, awaiting reification in the mortal coil. Behold, 4.18 CENTURIES AFTER AGADAGBA, PRICESELY FOUR CENTURIES PLUS, in this our age, Government Oweizide Ekemupolo, a worthy scion of the Ijaw nation, has arisen, invested with the sacred mantle of Egbesu’s chief priest and military general. The symmetries are striking, the correspondences unmistakable: Ekpemupolo stands forth as the avatar of Agadagba, a reincarnation of the primordial hero, reborn to reclaim the lost patrimony of his people.

As we gaze upon Ekpemupolo, we behold the rekindled flame of Agadagba’s indomitable spirit, a fiery essence that refuses to be extinguished. The mythopoeic imagination whispers secrets in our ear, intimating that this modern-day embodiment of Ijaw valour and spirituality is, in truth, a Priest of the ancient mysteries, a hieratic vessel ordained to restore the pristine glory of Agadagbabou and reestablish the vital link between the living and the ancestral dead.

Thus, the epicycle of time turns full circle, as the reincarnated Agadagba, in the person of Ekpemupolo, strides forth to reclaim his rightful place within the sacred precincts of Ijaw tradition. The word is a witness to his spiritual and endeavours which catalyse a renaissance of the Ijaw spirit, rekindling the ancestral fires that burn bright within the collective unconscious of this venerable people, and guiding them toward a future illuminated by the radiant glow of their archetypal forebears.

As Tompolo’s efforts continue to bear fruit, Nigeria’s economic landscape is transformed, and the nation’s people reap the benefits of his tireless endeavours. His legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Nigerian history, a shining testament to the power of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the nation’s progress.

Benedict Binebai is a Professor of African Literature, a Social Conscientizer, and a Critic of outstanding repute.

(c) IduwiniVoice

Staff Editorial

Effurun, Delta State – In a gathering that reflected the power of grassroots journalism and community impact, Congress News Nigeria, and rising media voice in the Niger Delta, marked its 4th anniversary on Thursday, July 10, 2025, with a vibrant and well-attended ceremony at TM Hotel, Airport Road, Effurun.

The event, which frew dignitaries from across the region, was chaired by Chief Sheriff Mulade, Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ). He was joined by Chaief Spencer Okpoye, the Commissioner Representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, DESOPADEC, Barr. Eric Omare, a constitutional Lawyer and former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Amb. (Dr.) Shedrack Agediga, Chairman, Delta State Bursery and Scholarship Board, and Chief Wellington Bobo, alongside other traditional and civil leaders including the Chairman of Oporoza Community, the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Western Zone.

In his welcome address, Comrade Austin Ozobo, the Publisher and CEO of Congress News, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the journey so far, describing the milestone as more than just measure of time, ut a symbol of resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and public service. He emphasized the organisation’s founding vision: to provide a platform that amplifies the often overlooked people of the Niger Delta.

“Our mission has been to champion the cause of the marginalized, to cast light on the issues that truly matter to our people, and to remain a fearless voice for justice and equity,” Ozobo declared. “What began as a humble initiative has grown to a trusted media house shaping the narrative and strengthening democratic engagement in our region.”

The Keynote address was delivered by Ekanpou Enewaridideke, a prominent Ijw author and cultural critical, who reflected on the indispensable role of strong institutions as the backbone of indigenous media in preserving identity and fostering accountability in governance. He lauded Congress News for its consistency, advocacy-driven journalism, and commitment to regional development.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities and community builders across the Niger Delta. The honorees were recognized for their contributions in fields ranging from media and civil society to environmental advocacy, human capacity and grassroots development.

Guests were treated to a blend of inspiring speeches, and moments of reflection amidst light refreshments, as speakers took turns to commend the media outfit for its principled stance on truth and it’s role in deepening democratic discourse in the region.

As the event drew to a close, the atmosphere was charged with optimism. With strong affirmations from speakers and supporters alike, it was clear that Congress News Nigeria has not only survived but thrived, carving out a nitch as an avant-garde media house deeply rooted in community realities.

Looking ahead, the management of Congress News reaffirmed it’s commitment to journalistic excellence, social responsibility, and the continual elevation of Niger Delta voices on both national and global platforms.

The 4th Anniversary may have been a celebration of the past, but it was equally a bold statement of purpose for the future.

Your Excellency,

SUBJECT: Strategic Proposal to Leverage Dangote’s Bayelsa Visit and Unlock Delta’s Coastal Industrial Corridor

Warm greetings to Your Excellency and continued appreciation for your stewardship over the affairs of Delta State.

I write to you with a sense of strateg urgency and patriotic commitment, in light of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s recent visit to Bayelsa State, which has reunited national attention toward private-sector-led industrial development in the Niger Delta. As commendable as that engagement is, Delta State holds even more viable, strategic, and economically advantageous alternatives that demand immediate prioritisation and promotion.⁸

Deltas Host to Tree of the Many Oil Terminals in Nigeria

Delta State is host to Escravos Oil Terminal, Forcados Oil Terminal, and the Agbami Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading offshore facility (FPSO). This and many more makes Delta the highest Oil Producing State in Nigeria today. It is our firm belief that the Delta State Government can approach the Dangote Group or any other local or international oil and gas consortium to build mega/Modular Oil Refineries incorporated with power plats near these export terminals, construct a railway and dual carrage highway, and power transmission networks from the incorporated power plants to Warri city. This way, constant oil supply to the Refineries is guaranteed, constant power supply is guaranteed, constant supply of Petroleum products is guaranteed, and the issue of motorable road infrastructure from the city centre to the creeks/coastal coastal communities of the Niger Delta creeks is resolved. More than that, road access makes it more efficient for securing the oil-rich swampy terrain of Delta State.

Delta Coast Corridor: A Hidden Goldmine

Communities such as Pepper-Ama/Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom, and Youbebe/Ogulagha in Ogulagha Kingdom, and Forcados/Beniboye in Iduwini Kingdom, located along the Coastline of Warri-Southwest Local Government Area and Burutu Local Government Area respectively, offer a rare confluence of economic advantages that make them ideal for:

a. A modular or full scale Crude Oil Refinery or petrochemical plant

b. A deep water Offloading depot and marine Terminal

c. A seaport connected to international shipplanes

d. A motorable road and rail linking the creeks to Warri city, the East-West road, and beyond

Unlike some other locations in the region, these areas are resources-rich, geostrategically positioned, relatively peaceful, and welcoming to industrial development.

Why Delta State MustAct Now

You Excellency, Delta must not be a spectator in the race to attract transformative investments. With Dangote, Ibeto, etc, and/or other industrial giants exploring new Refinery locations, the time is ripe for Delta State to present a unified, attractive, and superior proposition.

Here’s why this corridor stands out:

1. Superior Geographic Advantage

Pepper-ama, Ogulagha, Youbebeb, Forcados, and Beniboye lies along navigable coastal waters with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, making them ideal for a deep-sea port and marine logistics hub that can serve the South-South, South-East, North-Central, and North-East regions.

2. Proximity to Existing Oil and Gas Fields/Installations

These communities are surrounded by operational oil and gas assets, iwned by major IOCs and national companies. A Refinery or depot sited here would reduce reliance on Lagos ports, minimizes inland transportation cost and problems that often lead to massive traffic jam due to influx of big Petroleum tankers sharing Limited road facilities with other users, by decentralizing fuel distribution.

3. Untapped Blue Economy Potential

With maritime infrastructure, these coastal areas can become hubs for logistics, ship repairs, offshore support services, and even export-based industrial and agricultural processing zones.

4. Community Willingness and Land Availability

The people Gbaramatu Ogulagha and Iduwini Kingdoms have consistently demonstrated hospitality towards industry, making land and support available-if development is inclusive, environmentally sounds, and consutative.

Key infrastructure Priority: An All-Se Road Network

To fully unlock this region’s economic value, the construction of a durable, all-season motorable road from the creeks to Warri and onward to other urban centres is non-negotiable.

This road will ensure seamless distribution of Petroleum products from future reginry/Offloading depots.

It will integrate these coastal communities into the broader Delta economy and reduce travel times and transport costs.

With federal alignment, it could feed into the East-West road, facilitating cargo movement to the South-East, North-Central, and North-East geopolitical regions.

Recommendations for Strategic Actions

1. Host a Coastal Investment Summit in Warri

Invite key investors, including Aliko Dangote, BUA, NNPC Ltd., Waltersmith, Renaissance, Transcorp Group, etc., and other global operators.

Showcase Delta’s Coastal Corridor as a viable industrial zone ready for investment.

2. Commission a Joint Feasibility Study

Assess Pepper-ama, Youbebe, Ogulagha, Forcados, and Beniboye communities for a Refinery, Offloading depot, and seaport.

Include road infrastructure needs and environmental safeguards.

3. Establish a Delta Coastal Development Authority (DCDA) or use the Delta State Ministry of Riverine Communities Development

Tasked with coordinating infrastructure planning, PPP engagement, and land/community integration.

4. Lobby Federal Government, NNPC, and other critical stakeholders

Secure destination of the area as a strategic industrial development zone.

Explore subsidy, tax, and logistics waivers to incentive private-sector eng.

Conclusively, let Delta take the lead

Your Excellency, it is time for Delta to reclaim its historic leadership as the industrial and economic heartbeat of the Niger Delta. By proactively showcasing our superiors’ sites and unlocking our creek-to-hinterland logistics corridor, we can attract investment that will create jobs, build infrastructure, and catalyze long-term prosour people.

Let us not watch others harvest the fruit of opportunities planted better our own terrain.

We look forward to bold leadership and swift action.

Yours in service and development,

Peretengboro Bibaikefie

Thanks you