The National President of the apex sociocultural organization, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, has renewed calls for urgent environmental justice in the Niger Delta, stronger support for indigenous media organisations, and deliberate efforts to promote economic empowerment among Ijaw people.

The INC President, who is the Prime Minister of Gbaraun Kingdom in Bayelsa State, made the appeal during his public address as a Special Guest of Honour at the 5th Anniversary of the Congress Newspaper, which held at the TM Palace Hotel along Airport Road in Effurun, Delta State, on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The INC national leader lamented the continued environmental degradation in oil-producing communities despite decades of crude oil exploration and increasing national oil revenues.

The INC leader expressed concern over the living conditions of residents of Diebiri Clan in Delta State, alleging that many families continue to reside in close proximity to oil flow stations where gas flaring occurs daily.

According to him, the prolonged exposure of residents to gas flaring poses serious health and environmental risks, urging the Federal Government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the area to immediately intervene by improving the community's living conditions or relocating residents to safer settlements.

Igbadiwei also raised concerns over the environmental vulnerability of Bille Community in Rivers State, warning that the coastal settlement remains under severe ecological threat and requires urgent government attention.

Describing the Niger Delta as a fragile ecosystem, he stressed that environmental degradation in the region should not be treated with indifference, noting that sustained pollution, gas flaring and other extractive activities continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of host communities.

He further decried what he described as inadequate media representation of Ijaw issues in mainstream national media, alleging that the concerns of the region are often underreported or misrepresented.

The INC President therefore called on Ijaw entrepreneurs and business leaders to invest in and strengthen indigenous media platforms, particularly the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), to ensure that the true narratives of the people are accurately documented and communicated, stressing that only media institutions owned and driven by Ijaw people can consistently project the realities, aspirations and developmental challenges of the region without external influence.

Igbadiwei also expressed concern over the economic status of many Ijaw people, noting that despite the region's enormous contribution to Nigeria's economy through oil production, many indigenous people remain impoverished.

He challenged Ijaw entrepreneurs to venture beyond small-scale trading into major sectors such as building materials, steel, cement, electronics and other large-scale businesses capable of creating wealth and strengthening the economic influence of the Ijaw nation.

Emphasising the need for collective action, the National President urged Ijaw people to unite in pursuing economic growth, environmental justice and sustainable development, expressing optimism that with determination, strategic investments and unity of purpose, the Ijaw Nation would overcome its present socio-economic challenges and attain greater prosperity.

The Prime Minister's address concluded with a message of hope, encouraging Ijaw people not to lose faith, while affirming that brighter days lie ahead for the region through resilience, self-belief and collective commitment to progress.

A major highpoint of the Congress Newspaper 5th Anniversary is the presentation of awards to distinguished Niger Delta leaders, the INC President inclusive, by the Founder, Comrade Ozobo Austin.

View photos of presentation here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D2ij29jT9/