News
Tantita Surveillance Contract Not a Common Wealth, Niger Delta Should Be Thankful – IPF
By Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has strongly defended Tantita Security Services Limited over criticisms surrounding its pipeline surveillance contract, insisting that the engagement is not a “common wealth” arrangement and should not be portrayed as such.
In a statement jointly signed by the National President of the forum, Comrade Ozobo Austin, and its Spokesman, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, IPF said the people of the Niger Delta ought to appreciate Tantita and its leadership for helping to restore order to crude oil production activities and for protecting critical national assets in the region.
The forum explained that, unlike the 13 per cent derivation fund which is constitutionally meant for oil-producing communities, the surveillance contract awarded to Tantita is strictly a professional engagement based on competence and proven performance, similar to other security contracts previously handled by individuals and companies in the region.
According to the statement, “The 13 percent derivation is meant for the entire Niger Delta region especially the oil producing communities and the funds are not reaching the people yet those who claim to be activist are not saying or doing anything about it, rather they channeled their energy into attacking a private company, Tantita Security”.
IPF further recalled that pipeline protection had in the past been undertaken by the military and several private operators, including Capt. Hosa and others across different states, without anyone referring to those arrangements as common wealth.
It stressed that, “Those describing Tantita as a common wealth are poor students of history,” while questioning why such claims were never directed at previous contractors.
The forum also alleged that many of the attacks against Tantita are motivated by personal interests, noting that some of the most vocal critics come from non-oil-producing areas, despite benefiting from the goodwill and generosity of Tantita’s leadership.
Highlighting past experiences during the Niger Delta crisis, IPF stated that, “It is amazing that during the crises in Niger Delta, other neighbouring tribes, especially Urhobos and Itsekiris isolated the Ijaws as trouble makers and exposed them with publications distancing themselves and tagged the Ijaws as only militants and that Nigerian army should kill only Ijaw youths and burn down Ijaw towns and villages which the military did”.
The forum further observed that, “Imagine, now that little benefits have come from the armed struggle, every tribe wants to benefit from the militancy with which they were isolating and branding Ijaws with all unprintable names. But Tompolo in his magnanimity included these same tribes who were attacking Ijaw during the arms struggle in his Tantita pipeline contract, yet they are still agitating selfishly to have 50%50% benefit in his own personal contract from the federal government”.
IPF maintained that the leadership of Tantita — including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), High Chief Kestin Pondi, Engr. Mathew Tonlagha and Chief Tare Pondi — deserved commendation for what it described as their generous disposition and continuous support to communities, adding that the company’s interventions cut across both oil-producing and non-oil-producing areas.
The forum clarified that it does not receive any direct benefit from Tantita, but insisted that fairness and honesty must prevail.
“IPF is not a direct beneficiary of Tantita, but the truth must be told,” the statement said. “When people are doing well, they should be encouraged, not attacked out of greed or envy.”
The association warned that persistent public criticism of organisations and individuals contributing to the development of the Niger Delta could discourage goodwill and investment, and called on stakeholders to prioritise the collective interest of the region above personal ambition.
IPF finally urged Niger Deltans to recognise Tantita’s contributions to the protection of vital infrastructure, the improvement of crude oil output, peace building and security in the region, rather than promote what it described as negativity motivated by selfish considerations.
News
PAP Distributes Laptops to Students as Otuaro Reaffirms Commitment to Education-Driven Empowerment in Niger Delta
By: Divine Perezide
The Education for Empowerment (E4E) campaign of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), under the leadership of its Administrator, Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has continued its support for students with the distribution of laptops to beneficiaries of the PAP Scholarship Scheme at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
The laptop distribution exercise was carried out on January 30, 2026, at the institution’s Okerenkoko campus, as part of the E4E Mandate Campaign aimed at strengthening academic performance and boosting digital learning among students in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the visit, the PAP delegation led by Engr. Victor Ebikonde Sokoto explained that the initiative is in line with the agency’s core responsibility of empowering young people through education, adding that access to learning tools remains critical to improving productivity and academic excellence. The team also reaffirmed that the current administration under Dr. Otuaro remains firmly committed to positively impacting the lives of youths across the region.
The delegation further disclosed that more tertiary institutions would be visited in the coming days, as the E4E Mandate Campaign continues to promote education and skills development as key drivers of growth and prosperity. According to the team, the programme has continued to enjoy the support of stakeholders who have commended Dr. Otuaro’s dedication to youth empowerment.
Meanwhile, students of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, who benefited from the exercise, expressed appreciation to the PAP leadership, describing the intervention as timely and impactful. They praised Dr. Otuaro for prioritising education as a tool for development and empowerment, and assured that the laptops provided would be put to effective academic use.
By: Divine Perezide
Residents of Okunama Community, Turubebeama Community and Ebipadezion Community have raised alarm over a devastating oil spill currently ravaging their environment, describing the situation as a serious threat to their survival and economic well-being.
Community leaders from the affected areas disclosed that the spill has severely disrupted daily life, particularly fishing activities, which remain the major source of livelihood for the people.
“This massive oil spill has paralized fishing activities which is our primary source of living,” Barr. David Z. Otutufegha, legal advisor to the three communities, told our correspondent.
Findings revealed that videos and photographs showing crude oil spreading across farmlands and waterways have been circulating widely on social media for several days, with concerned citizens and environmental advocates calling for urgent intervention to avert a humanitarian and ecological crisis.
However, efforts by our correspondent to verify the possible source of the spill have so far proved unsuccessful. No multinational oil company operating in the area has issued any official statement, while relevant government authorities are yet to respond to the growing public concern.
As the situation remains unresolved, residents say their hopes and means of survival continue to dwindle, with many families uncertain about how long they can cope without access to clean water and viable fishing grounds.
For the people of Okunama, Turubebeama and Ebipadezion communities, the future now hangs in a delicate balance as they await swift action from both government and industry stakeholders.
By: Derick Peretengboro
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), the umbrella body of Ijaw media organisations, has successfully concluded its leadership election, ushering in a new executive council to pilot the affairs of the forum for the next two years.
At the end of the peaceful and well-coordinated exercise, Comrade Ozobo Austin of Congress News emerged as President, while Oyinbi Nduku of Niger Delta Mirror was elected Vice President. Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria clinched the position of Secretary-General, with Ezekiel Kagbala of FocalPoint Reports elected as Spokesperson.
Also elected into the new leadership structure were Comrade Ekpegha Tamaradoubra of South South Daily as Welfare Officer and Mr. Kanjo Ebitemi Joseph as Financial Secretary, alongside other officials who will serve in various executive roles within the forum.
The election was conducted under the supervision of a three-member Electoral Committee led by Comrade Francis Abai as Chairman, with Cletus Opukeme serving as Secretary and Anthony Demebide as a member.
The process was witnessed by observers and stakeholders from within and outside the media community, including Comrade Afore Theodore of the Ijaw Peace and Development Initiative (IPDI), Amogha Hilda of the Ijaw Women Rights Protecting Forum, and prominent Ijaw leaders such as High Chief Wellington Bobo, Chief Sheriff Mulade, former lawmaker Kofee Ebisinne Amasuomo, and Chief Evans Etimigba.
Participants and observers described the exercise as transparent and credible. Addressing the gathering, Chief Sheriff Mulade charged the new executives to uphold professionalism and project the image of the Ijaw nation through responsible and ethical journalism.
The forum also disclosed that the date for the official inauguration of the newly elected executives will be announced in due course.