The Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF) has held its 2nd annual media conference in Warri, Delta State, with the theme "Safeguarding the Niger Delta Natural Resources for Future Generations".
In his welcome address, Comrade Ozobo Austin, National President of IPF, emphasised the importance of protecting the Niger Delta's natural resources and environment for future generations.
He highlighted the devastating impact of oil theft, environmental pollution, exploitation by oil companies, federal government and deforestation on the region, and called on oil exploration companies to prioritize the well-being of the people and the environment.
Comrade Austin also provided a brief history of the IPF, which was formed in October 2023 to promote the Ijaw struggle and its identity.
He noted that the IPF has made significant strides in telling the Ijaw story and advocating for the rights of the Ijaw nation.
The conference was attended by prominent guests, including High Chief Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and RT. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Lawuru Promise, Amb. Godknows Igali, Pandef National leader, Chief Oyakemeagbegha Izinebi, INC publicity Secretary, Chief Wellington Bobo, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba former commissioner of oil and gas, Delta State, Chief Udens Eradiri, IYC spokesman Princewill Binebai, Ijaw women Rights' Protection Forum IWRPF, Ijaw women in politics, for peace and Culture, Ayakoromo ladies, President Amnesty students leadership and others.
Comrade Austin expressed gratitude to the donors and sponsors of the event and welcomed all participants to the conference.
The IPF plans to continue advocating for the rights of the Ijaw nation and promoting media excellence in the Niger Delta region.
The conference aimed to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region and find solutions to safeguard its natural resources for future generations.
The statement read, "I am not here to bore you with a long speech. Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to discuss a theme, titled: Safeguarding the Niger Delta Natural Resources for the future generations. Though, we have resource persons that will do justice to it but the emphasis here is that we must protect our natural resources and our environment for future generations.
"We must stop oil theft, environmental pollution which has destroyed fishing and farming activities or occupation in our region. We must equally stop deforestation and waste of other forest and aquatic resources. Our resources are our future. Our environment is our wealth. Pollution does not just affect our environment but it shortens our life span. Stealing our crude or sabotaging it, is as well as stealing our common wealth, invariably creating poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities in our region. This message largely affects our oil exploration companies. The IOC and indigenous oil companies management should stop exploitation and deliberate environmental pollution if our well-being should be prioritized".
"We have proactively told the Ijaw story in all dimensions, we have propagated and seamlessly advocated for the struggle of the Ijaw nation. We have actively defended the Ijaw nation from willful blackmails, people who are hellbent to hand twist, incite government, its military against Ijaw nation to jeopardise Ijaw identity. This is not to entertain you but well-meaning leaders, stakeholders and youths could attest to it".
"There is no gainsaying that IPF has balanced the equilibrium, the Ijaw nation is now more significant in the media industry than ever, there is now a checks and balances between those who bastardise our collective image or identity in the name of telling our story. We have corrected many such narratives and we will continue to put a stop to it. I can assure you that the rate at which the foreign papers battered our identity have reduced to the barest minimum since we took charge and made Ijaw significant in the media industry"
"The Yorubas has its media houses, Hausa has its own, Ibo has, Itsekiri has, Urhobo has, so the commitments and efforts made by brilliant Ijaw sons and daughters to strengthen Ijaw presence in the media industry should be encouraged by all well-meaning Ijaw leaders and critical stakeholders. Our mission and visions are to defend, advocate, propagate Ijaw/Niger Delta self-determination struggle and build dependable media houses for the Ijaw nation in no distance time. So that when all papers and broadcasting stations will show patriotism to their origins, political Godfathers and hand twisted governments in the unforeseen dark days, Ijaw nation will not be left in the rain and sun to be battered".
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