The apex media group, the Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF), through its President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, has expressed profound gratitude to stakeholders in the Niger Delta region for their massive support and presence in the just concluded Ijaw Media Conference / Annual Dialogue 2024, themed "'Advancing the Quest for Economic and Political Justice".

Recall that the maiden Ijaw Media Conference and Annual Dialogue 2024 which was attended by media practitioners, environmental activists, top government officials, community leaders, women groups among others, held at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Among those the Forum appreciated are the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), High Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro; Sir Ken Etete, CEO/Chairman, Century Group of Companies; High Chief Collins Cocodia, the S.A. to the governor of Bayelsa State on Political Matters; Mama Annkio Briggs, Niger Delta renowned activist; HRM God'spower Oporomor, the Commissioner for Ijaw affairs in Bayelsa State.

Others are Elder Asu Beks, leading advocate for Nigeria Blue Economy; High Chief Nengi James, Ijaw National Congress (INC) Vice President; Ernest George Ikoli, SAN; Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing Ijaw Nationality in the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Delta State; Presley Prebor, Manager of Delta/Edo Liaison office of PAP.

The IPF also thanked Comrade Joseph Evah, National Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG); Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, (CEPEJ) and others "for their moral support and contributions towards achieving a greater success in the Ijaw media conference 2024."

According to the IPF, the maiden Ijaw Media Conference was aimed at raising awareness to demand for economic, environmental, and political justice for Ijaws and Niger Delta following endless marginalisation in the scheme of things by the Nigerian government, adding that with the support of the above personalities and others the event recorded a great success.

The Forum prayed for God's divine blessings upon all the contributors, supporters and attendees, adding that their supports were acknowledged and appreciated.

The conference deliberated on the division in the Ijaw Nation caused by partisan politics, and described it as an act of lack of focus and direction on the part of the Ijaw leadership. 

Consequently, the various speakers at the event agreed that the Ijaw Nation, despite it producing the bulk resources that feed the nation, is still relegated to the background in the sharing of the national cake.

In his welcome address, Ozobo noted that Ijaw people who continued to bear the burden of the nation's oil wealth are increasingly seeking greater autonomy and control over their natural resources, as well as self-determination due to the persistent marginalisation and oppression of the Niger Delta people by the Nigerian Federal Government.

The conference called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address the menace of environmental degradation, economic marginalization, and political exclusion facing the Niger Delta region.

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