L-R: Comr. Ozobo Austin (4th) flanked by other members of the executive after their victory on Friday
By Samuel Ogude
There was jubilation on Friday among the Ijaw nation in particular, Delta and Nigeria at large as Comrade Ozobo Austin emerged as second term National President of Ijaw Publishers’ Forum in free and fair elections to pilot the affairs of the body for the next for two years. The election which was held at Africa for Peace Games Village, Ugolo, Osubi, Delta State was witnessed by observers within and outside Ijaw nation.
Speaking after his landslide victory, Comrade Ozobo Austin said he was very happy not because he has emerged as second term National President of the organization but the organization has made history by building a legacy that would outlive the Ijaw nation. His words: “l am happy not because l won a second term but because we have made history by building a legacy that will outlive us.”
According to Comrade Ozobo, over the past two years of the organization’s existence, it has made significant strides in promotin,g peace, security, good governance, development, media excellence among others, not only in Ijaw nation, Delta State, Niger Delta but Nigeria at large. His words:” Our efforts have yeilded tangible results and l am proud of the progress we have made. As we speak, today, we represent the intellectual arm of the Ijaw self-determination struggle, and we reinvigorated the Ijaw media industry.”
Group photograph of Executive, observers and other members of the forum after the election on Friday
The second term National President said, among others things, he would work with executive to build to strengthen the organization’s partnership with government’s agencies, NGOs, and community organization, enhance capacity building programmes for members, protect environmental sustainability and climate action, support youth’s empowerment and women’s development initiatives and provide for members’ welfare.
He therefore expressed gratitude to the President of Amnesty programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Oruaro, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, High Chief Kestin Pondi, Amayanobo Alhaji Mujahideen Asari Dokubo, King Ateke Tom, Engr Mathew Tonlagha, Chief Akpos Mezeh and others too numerous to mention, for their various roles among which, to sustain the existing peace in Niger Delta and humanitarian support for individuals and groups in the region. He therefore sued for support from all and sundry to move the Ijaw nation, the state, Niger Delta and the country at large to the next level just as he called on Niger Delta Interventionist agencies such as NDDC, Local Content, River Basin Authority, NIMASA and others to closely work with the people and prioritize their needs.Commenting on the development, High Chief Wellington Bobo, the Oroupawei of Gbaramatu Kingdom expressed happiness to be one of the observers of the elections and commended the body for a free and fair election.
L-R: Chief Sheriff Molade (3rd) speaking on the outcome of the election while others observers look on.
According to him, in an era narratives are weaponised and truth is often traded for convenience, the organization has chosen the path of integrity, advocacy and people-oriented journalism. His words:” You are not just publishers, you are custodian of memory, Defenders of truth and architects of generation of Ijaw people narrative. The elder states man therefore charged the leadership of the organization to promote ethical and investigative journalism, fearless advocacy anchored on facts, fairness and love for the people”.
On his part, environmental activist, Chief Sheriff Molade said, the organization covers the entire Niger Delta region not just telling Ijaw story. According to him, the organization should be able to draw the attention of the state and federal governments to the many challenges in the Niger Delta especially as regards underdevelopment, marginalization, and environmental degradation, among others. He congratulated the organization for the free and fair elections just as he charged the National President to carry his executive members along in piloting the affairs of the organization for the next two years to move the organization, the state, Niger Delta and the country at large to the next level. His words:” …all eyes on you (IPF) to tell the true story that reflects the true position of Niger Delta..to draw attention of both the state and federal government to some of the challenges confronting the region..”
The organization where Comrade Charles Onduku Oyinbi emerged as the Vice President, Comrade Tare Magbei as Secretary, Comrade Benjamin Benedict Tamaradoubra as Assistant Secretary, Comrade Kagbala Ezekiel as PRO, Comrade Mingo Friday as Treasurer, Comrade Kanjo Ebitibi Joseph as Financial Secretary and Comrade Ekpegha Tamaraupreye Ekpegha as Welfare Officer are to work hand- in- hand with the National President to move the association to the next level.