Elder Statesman and national leader in the Ijaw Nation, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has charged the Comr. Ozobo Austin-led Ijaw Publishers' Forum, IPF, to take the lead in the intellectual struggle for the emancipation of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.

The Federal Commissioner of Information gave the charge at his private residence in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, when members of the Forum paid the elder statesman a courtesy visit to seek for his endorsement, collaboration, engagement, and guidance in their role as the third arm of the Ijaw emancipation struggle.

The visit, which coincided with Chief Clark's 97th birthday on May 25 and was facilitated by the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Chief Sheriff Mulade, was marked with the presentation of birthday gifts to the elder statesman as well as an interview session.

The Pan Niger Delta leader in his counsel to the Forum's leadership, encouraged them to be fearless, bold, courageous, as well as to stand firm in their commitment to truth, rejecting any form of bribery that could compromise the future of the younger generation.

While imparting blessings on IPF, Chief Clark implored every patriotic Ijaw leader to wholeheartedly support the Forum, urging them to consider Ijaw media houses as the primary choice for their media publicity. 

He also commended IPF for the bold initiatives that have elevated the presence of the Ijaw people in the media industry.

Comr. Ozobo, on behalf of the Forum's members, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Chief Clark for his unwavering support and selfless sacrifices for the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole. 

The IPF further pledged to make both Pa Clark and the Ijaw Nation proud by actively engaging and dialoguing with relevant stakeholders to preserve the dreams of Ijaw self-determination.

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