The President of Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF), Comrade Ozobo Austin, has appealed to Ijaw leaders to prioritize the development of Ijaw Nation and to shun divisive governance in order to unite the Ijaw people and to foster growth.

Comrade Ozobo made the appeal at the inauguration ceremony of the IPF which held in the Chief Tunde Smooth Playground in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Speaking shortly after taking his oath of office as administered by Barr. Torke Ekpetun, and received his Certificate of Return from the IPF National Electoral Committee Chairman Mr. Abai Francis, Ozobo noted that the unity of Ijaw Nation is more paramount.

He said, "I wish to seize this medium to appeal to Ijaw leaders to prioritize Ijaw Nation's development; we should know where we are coming from. This is not the time for divisive governance, but rather a time for inclusive governance. Let us wake up from our slumber and stop doing things that will further divide us or underdevelop the Ijaw Nation." 

Comr. Ozobo also cautioned Ijaw youths to "imbibe the spirit of love and humility" to which they are known and to stop using their wealth or money to intimidate fellow Ijaw youths.

He thanked the Forum for the opportunity to serve and pledged "to uphold the values of our great organization" and to "work tirelessly to promote the interests of our organization, the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta at large."

The second time President called on stakeholders of the Ijaw Nation to support the IPF which he promised will continue to advocate for the interest of the Ijaw Nation and to collaborate with them "to promote peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta region" as well as "provide a platform for Ijaw journalists and publishers to advance and grow in the media profession."

On his vision for IPF, he said, "for the next two years is to build a befitting Secretariat for IPF, to equally establish a printing press for IPF, establish an Ijaw indigenous radio and TV stations, this includes growing Ijaw indigenous media houses to national news platforms. These are multi- millionaire projects." 

The ceremony was attended by leaders from across the Ijaw Nation including High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), who was represented by Capt. Presley Prebor, Liaison Manager PAP, Delta and Edo States; and Comr. Shedrack Agediga, Chairman, Delta State Scholarship / Bursary Board who was represented by Sir Percy Francis.

Others present include Amb. Jude Ukori (JP), Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade PhD, National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ); Chief Alabo Nengi James, Vice President II of the Ijaw National Congress, INC; Amb. Princewill Binebai, Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC); Comr. Nicholas Igaramah, Chairman, IYC Western Zone, among others.

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