A foremost peace and environmental rights activist in the Niger Delta region, Chief (Comr.) Sheriff Mulade, has commended members of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, for establishing the media forum it said would correct the inaccurate reportage particularly as it affects the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

Chief Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the nongovernmental organisation, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, gave the commendation when executives and members of the IPF paid him a courtesy visit at his Africa for Peace Center at Ugolo in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, February 2, 2024.

The CEPEJ Boss and custodian of the traditional title, Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, accepted the Forum's invitation as a Special Guest of Honour at its forthcoming inauguration billed for February 29, 2024.

In his words, "Let me sincerely thank and appreciate all of you for establishing the Ijaw Publishers Forum. Secondly I also want to give God the glory for finding me worthy to equally selecting [and] nominating me to be a special guest at this very important occasion," Chief Mulade said in response to the invitation.

"I see this as important because the media is the mirror to the world. And that is why as media practitioners you don't compromise. For us as a people, where we the Ijaws are coming from, is very far, and where we are going is very far.

"This is a forum that will be able to cement our issues and bring them to the front burner. Until you tell your story nobody will tell it for you. And that is why there have been stories told that didn't reflect us. It is only this forum that have that capacity, the competence and the ability to tell the story about Ijaw people so that people will know," he added.

Earlier, the IPF President, Comr. Ozobo Austin, in his briefing the CEPEJ Boss on the upcoming programme, commended the peace and environmental advocate for supporting Ijaw media platforms to grow through his patronage.

Highlight of the visit include the presentation of letters of invitation and appeal for support to Chief Mulade who received them with a promise to assist the Forum.

Other members of IPF in attendance are: Magbei Tare (IPF General Secretary) of Daily Report Nigeria, Onyinbe Onduku (IPF Vice Chairman) of Niger Delta Mirror, Akemetubo Arex of Waffi TV, Prince Perez Klint of Iduwini Voice, Hon. MMD Tamsokunbiri of Kpakam TV, Anthony Demebide (MC Akpolokpolo) of Ultimate Report, Ekpegha Preye of South South Daily, and Abai Francis of PENGlobal.

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