As the Ijaw Nation takes a leap forward with the inauguration of the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the Chief Tunde Smooth Playground near NPA in Warri, Delta state, the umbrella body of ijaw media practitioners has released a statement on the establishment of the formidable Forum.

According to the statement that was signed by its National President, the IPF said the Forum was conceived to erode the misrepresentation of facts by reporting accurately the true state of Ijaw marginalized communities in the Niger Delta region.

Part of the statement reads: "IPF is an indigenous publishers association drawn from Ijaw speaking journalists who are media executives practicing journalism in the country over the years.

'The Ijaw media council is a sister body of the Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) with similar goals and modus operandi, such as media ethics and professional conducts, except on Ijaw agenda.

"IPF was established to give accurate reportage to the Ijaw marginalized oil bearing communities in Niger Delta who have suffered untold hardship in the midst of abundance.

"It is an independent trade organization with no political affiliation or ideological disposition. IPF is founded in the underlying belief that speaking with one voice as a professional body it can push for the interest of its members particularly in the areas of working conditions and rights: freedom of expression, safety, job security and fair remuneration, gender equality, freedom of association, copyright protection and fight against all forms of discrimination and suppression.

"IPF is also meant to organize and supports campaigns aimed at protecting journalists’ rights and strengthening collective interest, and above all, enhance free press in the country and the world."

The IPF, on its forthcoming inauguration, also used the opportunity to invite all sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation as well as the general public to its inauguration.

"Ijaw Publishers Forum by this press release also invite the general public to honour and celebrate with us during our inauguration of the pioneer executive Council on 29th February, 2024 at the popular Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, NPA, Warri, Delta state."

The inauguration ceremony will witness prominent Ijaw leaders in attendance among whom are HRM Pere Stanley Perediegha Luke-Kalanama VIII (JP), Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, and 1st Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, and HRM Couple Oromoni, Monbene III, Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Delta State; H.E. Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, former deputy governor of Delta State; Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly; Prof. Benjamin Okaba, National President, Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Others are High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the Ebidouwei of Izon Nation; High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited; Chief Favour Izoukumor, Executive Director of Social Services, DESOPADEC; Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, DESOPADEC.

Chief (Comr.) Sheriff Mulade, CEO, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ); Hon. Keyness Oromoni, Special Assistant to the governor of Delta State on Oil and Gas; Hon. Peres Oloye, member representing Burutu South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly; Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Chief Boro Opudu, Chief Michael Johnny, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Sir Godfrey Pondi, Amb. Bolowei Ogoba, among several others.

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