News

Ijaw Media Charged To Be Courageous As IPF New Exco Inaugurated

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2026

….Ozobo, IYC, Eselemo Harp On Unity

Ijaw media practitioners have been charged to be courageous enough to praise genuine leadership and bold enough to challenge failure amongst leaders in the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the Niger Delta as a whole.

Chairman, Delta State Scholarship/Bursary Board, Dr. Shedrack Agediga, gave the charge in Warri at the inauguration of new executives of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Agediga, who was the Chairman at the event, said IPF is not just a social club, describing members of the IPF as not ordinary publishers but nation-builders.

According to him, for a long time, Ijaw stories have been told by mainstream media and outsiders with diluted versions, just as he stressed the need to support indigenous media.

He added: “The Ijaw Publishers Forum is not a social club. It is a necessity. It exists because for too long, our story has been told about us, but never by us. And when others tell your story, they decide who is villain and who is victim.

“In global history, no people have ever been emancipated without controlling their narrative. Media has always been the engine room of resistance.

“For years, mainstream narratives labelled us as troublemakers and militants; without context, without history, without justice.

“It was Ijaw-focused media that insisted on telling the fuller story: environmental destruction, broken agreements, and systematic neglect.”

The Delta State scholarship board boss, who described the media as a strategy, defence, power, added: “I speak as someone who has walked the creeks, sat in tense community meetings, listened to angry youths, disappointed elders, and helpless mothers and has seen, first-hand, how silence continues to harm the Ijaw people.

“As publishers, journalists, broadcasters, and content creators of the Izon Nation, the pen in your hand is stronger than any weapon. Use it with courage. Use it with discipline. Use it with love for our people.

“Let every headline, every broadcast, every book, every post send one clear message: The Ijaw people will no longer be spectators in their own land.”

In his goodwill message, spokesperson, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, Princewill Binebai, while congratulating the IPF new exco, warned Ijaw people to know that they are surrounded by the enemy, hence they (Ijaw people) cannot afford to be enemy to themselves.

In his speech, a frontline Ijaw politician, Collins Eselemo, who traced the origin of journalism in Nigeria to the Ijaw ethnic nationality, frowned at Ijaw politicians who were absent at the event said he had wanted the event “ceremonious” with the Ijaws registering their presence as the true owners of Warri.

In his acceptance speech, the President, IPF, Comrade Austin Ozobo, promised to uphold the values of “our great organization and work tirelessly to promote the interests of our organization, the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta at large.”

He added: “The IPF will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of the Ijaw people, and will continue to promote accurate reporting and storytelling about the over 50 million Ijaw people that are balkanized and marginalized in Nigeria. The Ijaw people have a rich cultural heritage, and it is our responsibility to preserve and promote it.

“We will work with stakeholders to promote peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta region. We will also provide a platform for Ijaw journalists and publishers to advance and grow in the media profession.”

He appealed 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.”

The IPF President, who expressed appreciation to stakeholders who have been supportive to the organisation, called on “all well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters to join and support the organization (IPF) in this journey. Let us work together to build a stronger, more united Ijaw Nation where love, justice and peace will reign.”

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

23 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.