Press Release
Press Release: ๐๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐๐ผ๐-๐ญ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐, Says โ๐๐ป ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒโ
March 31, 2026
Bolowou-Zion, Niger Delta โ The leadership of Bolowou-Zion Community, headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion, has issued a strongly worded press statement defending its integrity, distancing the community from ongoing controversies surrounding pipeline surveillance contracts, and affirming its support for Tantita Security Services Limited.
In the statement, the community emphasized that Bolowou-Zion must not be misrepresented or drawn into disputes driven by individual opinions or ambitions, warning against attempts to generalize personal views as the collective position of the community.
Describing Bolowou-Zion as โa consecrated ground and spiritual citadel,โ the leadership stressed that the community transcends political or economic interests, serving instead as a unifying spiritual center for members across the Niger Delta and beyondโfrom Ondo to Edo, Delta to Bayelsa.
The statement strongly condemned efforts to attribute the opinions of individuals to the entire community, noting that such claims are โunjust, misleading, and philosophically flawed.โ It reiterated that differing views on matters such as resource control or contract distribution remain personal positions and do not reflect the official stance of Bolowou-Zion.
Addressing the pipeline surveillance discourse, the community made it clear that it does not oppose the vision and mission of Tantita Security Services Limited. Instead, it expressed firm support for the organization, acknowledging its role in protecting critical national assets and fostering stability in the Niger Delta.
The leadership further praised the companyโs leadership, describing them as โillustrious sons of the Ijaw Nationโ who deserve collective prayers, recognition, and support for their contributions to regional development.
Calling for calm and responsible engagement, the statement urged stakeholders, government authorities, and the general public to exercise restraint, uphold truth, and avoid vilifying entire communities based on individual actions.
Bolowou-Zion reaffirmed its identity as a beacon of unity, peace, and spiritual heritage, emphasizing its commitment to the progress of the Niger Delta through cooperation, dialogue, and divine guidance rather than conflict.
The press statement was formally signed by key leaders of the community: Rev. Epistle Princewill Jemine, General Overseer of the C&S Church of Zion, Bolowou-Zion; Senior Boan. Ijawakpo Foloki, second-in-Command; and Senior Boan. M.K. Belele, Secretary of Bolowou Zion Community.
The community concluded by calling for truth, fairness, and unity to prevail over division, reinforcing its enduring commitment to harmony and collective progress.
๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ง๐ถ๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ :
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ฌ, ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ช๐ข๐จ-๐ญ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ
In times marked by tension, speculation, and competing narratives, it becomes imperative that truth is neither overshadowed by assumption nor distorted by personal interests. A sacred community must never be reduced to a tool in the arena of individual ambition or public misrepresentation. It is therefore with a profound sense of spiritual duty, moral conviction, and unwavering clarity that we address the ongoing discourse surrounding the pipeline surveillance contract and the regrettable attempts to cast aspersions on the revered name of Bolowou-Zion community.
Bolowou-Zion is far more than a geographical entity or a social enclave. It is consecrated groundโa spiritual citadel and the administrative and prophetic headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion. This divine institution is not confined by territorial boundaries; its influence and spiritual lineage extend across the Niger Delta and beyondโfrom Ondo to Edo, Delta to Bayelsa, and into numerous other communities. The sons and daughters of Zion are united not by transient political interests, but by a sacred covenant; not by contracts or economic pursuits, but by a shared devotion to Christ and a commitment to divine purpose.
It is therefore both unjust and fundamentally flawed to attribute the personal opinions, aspirations, or actions of any individual, regardless of their status or origin, to the collective identity or official position of Bolowou-Zion community. A faith-based institution cannot and must not be reduced to the voice of a single individual, just as the vast ocean cannot be defined by a solitary wave, nor the sky by a passing cloud.
We recognize that in any progressive and dynamic society, differing perspectives will inevitably arise, particularly on matters relating to governance, economic opportunity, and resource control. Such diversity of opinion is neither abnormal nor undesirable. However, wisdom demands discernmentโthe ability to distinguish between individual expression and institutional doctrine, between temporal interests and eternal values. Any advocacy, including calls for decentralization or redistribution of contracts, remains solely the position of the individual expressing it and must not be misrepresented as the collective stance of Bolowou-Zion or the wider Zion family.
For the avoidance of doubt, Bolowou-Zion Community does not stand in opposition to the vision and mission of Tantita Security Services Limited. On the contrary, we recognize and respect the role the organization plays in safeguarding critical national assets and contributing to the stability and development of the Niger Delta. We further applaud the captains of the ship of Tantita Security Services Limited as illustrious sons of the Ijaw Nationโmen whose efforts and leadership deserve not only acknowledgment but also our collective prayers and unwavering support. In unity and goodwill, we believe that collaboration, rather than contention, remains the surest path to progress for our people.
To judge an entire community based on the utterances or actions of a single individual is to abandon fairness and embrace prejudice. It disregards the collective identity painstakingly built through decades of spiritual labor, shared sacrifice, and unwavering unity. Such generalization is not only inaccurateโit is deeply unjust and harmful to the fabric of communal coexistence.
We therefore call on all stakeholders, community leaders, government authorities, and members of the public to exercise restraint, uphold the principles of truth and fairness, and resist the urge to generalize or vilify. Let engagements be guided by wisdom, mutual respect, and a commitment to justice. Let no narrative be driven by emotion at the expense of truth, nor by ambition at the expense of unity.
Bolowou-Zion remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, unity, and the holistic advancement of the Niger Deltaโachieved not through conflict or division, but through cooperation, dialogue, and divine guidance. Our legacy is one of faith, and our future is anchored in righteousness.
May truth continue to prevail over falsehood, may understanding overcome misrepresentation, and may unity triumph over all forms of division.
E-signed:
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐. ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ
๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ณ, ๐&๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ถ๐ณ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ, ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ-๐ก๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด & ๐๐ช๐บ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ช๐ณ๐ช๐จ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ช ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ก๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ป. ๐๐ท๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ
๐๐ฆ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฅ-๐ช๐ฏ-๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ, ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ก๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐บ
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ป. ๐ .๐. ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ
๐๐ฆ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ต๐ข๐ณ๐บ, ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ก๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐บ
Press Release
STATEMENT BY PANDEF RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE ON RIVERS STATE HEADED BY CHIEF GODWIN KANU AGABI, SAN, CON AT INAUGURATION ON 12TH JANUARY, 2026
IduwiniVoice
It is our privilege to serve on this Committee. For this privilege we are grateful to God and to His Excellency, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF and the other respected members of the Board of Trustees. I single out for particular mention His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, the former Governor of Rivers State and the Amayanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State. He is a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt. He goes down in history as the first governor of Rivers State when that state included Bayelsa State. It is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area. The duty of respect that we owe to a man like that demands that we take his intervention seriously.
We are appointed to explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end. This crisis has persisted for too long. If it continues any further, it will call into question the commitment of the parties involved to the interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation that is compelled to share in the pains and anxieties of that State.
We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation struggles with issues of political power. Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster which left their abode in the depths of the sea and came to the sea shore to fight. They went on fighting even when they saw the fisherman coming. The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.
We trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of those to whom we address our appeal for peace and reconciliation. It is our firm conviction that this matter can be resolved amicably. That conviction is rooted in the fact that the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one. They played significant roles in assisting one another to the various offices that they hold now. If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.
The resolution of this matter is something that the parties can handle themselves without the intervention of third parties. They must be willing to go the extra mile with one another, to turn the other cheek and to pray for one another. Let them not dismiss this as weak or sentimental as we often do when the name of the Lord is mentioned in politics or economics. The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation. Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators, whoever we are, it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions. Whether we are servants or slaves it is the Lord that we serve. And it is to him that we shall, in the end, render account. We urge the parties to proceed with caution. We urge them to make allowance for error. We appeal to them to proceed with a prayer for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong.
The Minister, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, is my friend. He is my benefactor. He is a man I love. He is a man I respect. I bear witness to his courage and patriotism. The work he did as Governor of Rivers State and the work he is doing as Minister of the FCT have since immortalized him. The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation. I say the same thing about His Excellency Governor Fubara. I happen to have been a member of the team that defended the petition that arose from his election as governor. That is my bond with him. I trust him to respect that bond.
In a nation as diverse as ours, discordant voices will be heard from time to time. In the midst of those discordant voices, the President can be trusted to recognize the clear ring of truth when he hears it. That is the whole essence of the Presidential system in vesting the President with all executive power which he is trusted to exercise in order to calm the nation down.
We have great respect for the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and we have no doubt whatsoever that their motives are genuine and patriotic. We pray for a change of heart on their part. It is in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed that they will demonstrate their restraint, their public spirit and their maturity.
This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment over the parties. We have no competence to do so. Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one to another, and we now do so. We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation. We urge them, we beg them, we appeal to them. Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.
Press Release
PRESS RELEASE: ADC Rivers State Women Call for Stronger Political Inclusion at 2025 Diaspora Strategic Women Convergence
Rivers State, Nigeria โ Women leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State Chapter, have called for increased political inclusion, unity, and strategic participation of women in governance following their participation in the ADC Diaspora National Leader and Zonal Coordinators Strategic Women Convergence 2025.
The convergence, held under the theme โWomen in Politics: Equality and Rights โ Rise to the Challenge,โ brought together women leaders across Nigeria and the diaspora to deliberate on gender equality, political rights, and womenโs leadership in democratic governance.
Arising from the engagement, the ADC Rivers State Women announced the convening of a State and Local Government Area (LGA) Womenโs Appraisal Meeting, particularly for members who participated in the convergence via the Zoom platform. The meeting aims to consolidate lessons learned, align strategies, and strengthen womenโs political structures at the grassroots level.
Participants were inspired by strategic and motivational addresses delivered by distinguished women leaders, including Hon. Bose Rahila Adamu, Deputy Chairman/Woman Leader; Hon. Naomi Lasara Abel, MNIPR, National Woman Leader of ADC; Hon. Amb. Abiodun Omolara Williams, Deputy National Coordinator (Diaspora); Prof. Elizabeth Ogboli Nwasor; Ms. Franca Hamza Ogagbor of ADC America; Madam Lillian Modu, Secretary-General of ADC Diaspora (Americas); Amb. (Mrs.) Hannatu Gagara, Chairperson, ADC Plateau State; Mabel Oboh, Assistant Publicity Secretary, ADC South-South Zone; Barr. Mrs. Eremi G. Oruebo, State Legal Adviser, ADC Bayelsa State; and Hon. Helen Ataisi Clifford, ADC Rivers State Deputy Publicity Secretary.
In a communiquรฉ issued at the end of the convergence, the women emphasized key resolutions, including the need for women to take proactive leadership roles, reject symbolic political participation, strengthen unity across party structures, build capacity and political resilience, break the culture of fear and silence, and institutionalize mentorship among women in politics.
The women reaffirmed their belief that sustainable national development cannot be achieved without the full and fair representation of women in leadership and decision-making processes. They stressed that womenโs participation in politics leads to more inclusive policies, stronger governance, and societal transformation.
The ADC Rivers State Women also expressed appreciation to male leaders within the party who continue to support gender inclusion and womenโs political empowerment. Special recognition was given to Hon. (Dr.) Kenneth C. Gbandi, Chairman of ADC Diaspora Network; H.E. Solomon Dalung, Coordinator (Diaspora), ADC; Prof. Elizabeth Ogboli Nwasor; Dr. Benjamin Chukwu (MBBCh, FMCS โ Nig.); and Chief Peter Mozie, Chairman, ADC-DN America.
The convergence was moderated by Chief Amb. Tuklan and Macgodwin Iweajunwa, whose professionalism contributed to the success of the engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the Rivers State Women, Rt. Hon. Engr. Irene Kaladappa Jumbo, ADC Rivers State Woman Leader, stated that โthe future of Nigerian politics must be inclusive, fearless, and driven by competent women who are prepared to lead with vision, courage, and integrity.โ
Signed:
Rt. Hon. Engr. Irene Kaladappa Jumbo
ADC Rivers State Woman Leader
Hon. Helen Ataisi Clifford
ADC Rivers State Deputy Publicity Secretary
Mrs. Ogbonna Phoebe
ADC LGA Women Leader Coordinator, Rivers State
Hon. Joy Nwokoma
ADC LGA Women Coordinating Secretary
Press Release
World Press Conference by the Ijaw Publishers Forum on the Activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
Gentlemen of the Press,
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) is a collective of professional media practitioners dedicated to upholding truth, balance, and fairness in our reporting.
We are not a tool in anyoneโs hands โ our allegiance is to the truth, the people, and the progress of the Niger Delta. As journalists of conscience, we commend and defend good leadership wherever it is found, especially among Ijaw sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in service.
Our mission is simple: to speak without fear or favour, to highlight performance where it exists, and to challenge wrongdoing when it appears.
Therefore, when we lend our voice in support of any public office holder, it is not out of sentiment, politics, or personal gain, but out of an objective recognition of results, integrity, and purposeful leadership.
In this spirit, we gather today for this World Press Conference to present the true picture of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the capable leadership of Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro โ a man whose administration has revived confidence, restored focus, and repositioned the programme for the genuine empowerment of Niger Deltans.
Having said that, we, the conglomerate of Ijaw media organisations, hereby express our strong support for the leadership of High Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro (Ph.D.) as Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
His tenure, since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 14 March 2024, has already demonstrated clarity of purpose, measurable achievements, and dedication to service.
Key Achievements & Commitments
Academic and Leadership Credentials:
Dr. Otuaro entered office with strong academic credentials. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics and Development Studies, an M.Sc. in Public Administration, and a B.Sc. in Education.
Beyond Stipends โ Real Empowerment: Under his leadership, PAP has moved beyond mere stipend payments to ex-agitators and launched broader human capital development interventions.
Human-Focused Leadership:
The Administrator emphasised โgiving the programme a human faceโฆ developed for the people of the Niger Delta for a better future.โ
Expanded Scholarship Scheme:
PAP has deployed over 140 scholars overseas (notably to the UK and South Africa) as part of its expanded scholarship programme.
Inclusive Stakeholder Participation: He has consistently called for stakeholder inclusion, including womenโs participation in the peace process for the Niger Delta.
Commitment to Peace and Development: He has reaffirmed the programmeโs mandate of promoting sustainable peace, security, and development in the Niger Delta region.
Strategic Repositioning of PAP:
These are not symbolic gestures alone โ they reflect a strategic repositioning of PAP to deliver tangible value, particularly through education, vocational training, and stakeholder engagement for communities long impacted by militancy, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment.
Our Position
We maintain that Dr. Otuaroโs stewardship has placed the Presidential Amnesty Programme on firmer footing in terms of transparency, accountability, and performance.
It is in the interest of the Niger Delta people and Nigeria as a whole that the programme should not be derailed by those who prefer the status quo or view reform as a threat to entrenched interests.
Genuine criticism and oversight are welcome โ but what we are witnessing in certain quarters are attempts to undermine a capable, reform-minded leader through misdirection, misinformation, and vested-interest campaigns.
For example, credible reports indicate that attacks on the Administrator have increased simply because he โrefused to open the coffers of the Amnesty Programme to certain groups of individuals.โ
Call to Action.
We therefore call upon:
PAP delegates, beneficiaries, and Niger Delta community stakeholders to continue supporting Dr. Otuaro and his reform agenda. Unity behind reform-minded leadership is indispensable.
Media houses, civil society organisations, and youth groups to offer constructive feedback rather than destructive opposition. Let debates be about ideas and outcomes, not personalities.
Critics of Dr. Otuaroโs leadership to substantiate their allegations transparently and through proper channels, rather than behind the cover of gossip, clandestine campaigns, or destabilising tactics.
All arms of government โ federal, state, and local โ to give PAP the institutional backing it needs to fulfil its mandate. The region deserves no less.
Conclusion
We assert that the future of the Niger Delta and the wellbeing of its people will not be served by retreating into old patterns. For the Presidential Amnesty Programme to deliver on its promise of reintegration, empowerment, and development, it must be allowed to evolve under capable stewardship.
Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro has demonstrated the aptitude, commitment, and vision required for this task. We pledge our continued support for his success โ and we urge others to abandon partisan posturing and join in the collective work of transforming the Niger Delta for the better.
God bless Ijaw Publishers Forum
God bless Niger Delta
God bless
Signed,
Comrade Ozobo Austin
- President, Ijaw Publishere Forum
- November 6, 2025