Dr Shedrack Agediga, a prominent Nigerian Peace Advocate and Community Development expert has urged the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) to continue to utilise the power of the pen to transform the Izon nation.
Agediga, Founder, Shedrack Agediga Foundation (SAF), made the call at the inauguration of the new executive of the IPF on Thursday at
the Tunde Smooth Playground in Warri.
The newly inaugurated leadership, led by Comrade Austin Ozobo as President will steer the affairs of the body in the next two years.
Agediga who was the Chairman of the occasion and represented by Mr Francis Pesi, said that the Forum was not just a body of Publishers but nation-builders.
He urged them to always stand and speak truth to power irrespective of who is in the position of authority.
“One of the hardest things to do in the struggle is to speak truth to power even when power wears familiar faces.
“The Ijaw media must be courageous enough to praise genuine leadership and bold enough to challenge failure.
“Whether it is community leadership, government agencies, interventionist bodies, or even our own sons in offices, accountability must remain non-negotiable, without this, emancipation will be hijacked by opportunists,” he said.
Agediga, former executive director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), encouraged the publishers to take further steps and project the Ijaw nation to the global limelight by way of proper documentation of her history.
He also urged them to imbibe the use facts, data and investigation to correct the misconception that the “problem of the Niger Delta is over”.
“I also charged you to deliberately publish in Izon language, train young reporters from the creeks, not just cities.
“Collaborate with youth bodies, elders and traditional institutions,” he said.
Agediga noted that the struggle in the Niger Delta had evolved and charged the media to rise up to the challenges.
He highlighted some of the challenges in the Niger Delta region to include: poor infrastructure particularly in the coastal communities, insecurities and intimidation.
According to him, other challenges are: poor funding and the temptation to compromise truth for survival.
He, however, warned against comprised, noting that posterity would not forgive those who indulged such unwholesome practices.
He reminded the Publishers that the Ijaw struggle still persist.
“Oil still flows; development still lags; our environment still suffers; but one thing must never be taken away from us, our voice.
“As publishers, journalists, broadcasters and content creators of 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,” he advised.
Also, the Guest speaker, Mr Collins Eselemo, emphatically said that the Warri belongs to the Ijaws.
The Ijaw-born politician said that his kinsmen owned properties in Warri before the enactment of the 1963 Land Use Act.
“I had wanted this event to be “ceremonious” with the Ijaws registering their presence as the true owners of Warri,” he said.
On his part, the President of the IPF Comrade Ozobo, in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the body for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am grateful to the leadership and members of the IPF for putting their trust in me.
“I promise to uphold the values of our great organisation and work tirelessly to promote the interests of our organisation, the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta at large,” he said.
Comrade Ozobo appealed to the Ijaw leaders to prioritise the development of the Ijaw Nation.
He also appealed to the Ijaw youth to imbibe the spirit of humility and hard work.
“We should know where we are coming from. This is not the time for divisive governance, but 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,” he said.
Ozobo assured that the IPF would continue to advocate for the rights and interests of the Ijaw people, while promoting accurate reporting and storytelling about the over 50 million Ijaw people that are balkanised and marginalised in Nigeria.
He noted that the Ijaws have a rich cultural heritage adding that it is the responsibility of the IPF to preserve and promote it.
On his projection, Ozobo said that the leadership would work with stakeholders to promote peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta region.
“We will provide a platform for Ijaw journalists and publishers to advance and grow in the media profession.
“In the next two years, we will build a befitting Secretariat for IPF, establish a printing press, establish an Ijaw indigenous radio and TV stations among others,” he assured.
Ozobo, however, expressed gratitude to Dr Dennis Otuaro, Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme; Amb. Jude Ukori, Amb. Dr Shedrack Agediga, Chief Sheriff Mulade, National Coordinator CEPEJ; Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, former Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State, and others for their continuous support.