CEOs Of Ijaw Owned Media Firms Meet DESOPADEC Commissioner Okpoye, Canvass for Development, Support

By Peters Monday, Abuja

Ijaw media apex body, the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, a body of professional media practitioners met with the newly appointed Commissioner representing Ijaw nationality in the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Hon. Spencer Okpoye on Tuesday.

The media professionals appealed to the Ijaw leader for support in building a formidable Ijaw mainstream media house and cited critical infrastructures and developmental projects in Delta Ijaw riverine communities.

The Ijaw media CEOs made this assertion in a statement read and presented to the commissioner during a courtesy visit which had the presence of the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community, DICC, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Warri, Delta State.

The group acting chairman, Comrade Ozobo Austin who spoke at the visit, re-emphasised the roles played by Ijaw publishers in the Ijaw cause which are yet to receive the proper attention of stakeholders and leaders of the Ijaw nation.

The group urged the commissioner to influence laudable developmental projects among Ijaws in the state, stressing that Ijaw media practitioners should be properly engaged and empowered towards building and developing Ijaw-owned mainstream media houses in the country.

The paper reads, “Without mincing words, the IPF is the body currently shouldering the responsibility of the intellectual struggle for a better deal for Ijaws anywhere in Nigeria. Sir, it may interest you to know that the pen (nonviolence advocacy) has long replaced violent arms agitation.

“It is sad to announce to you Mr. Commissioner that despite our immerse contribution in the Ijaw cause, Ijaw media practitioners have been sidelined and abandoned unduly. We have suffered the greatest of humiliation, suffocation and intimidation from Ijaws in the course of our resolves to serve our people,” the group added.

The IPF demands included the engagement of Ijaw media organisations in showcasing DESOPADEC activities, forging a partnership with the Commission for publicity, sponsorship for IPF programmes for sustainability and efficiency, incorporation of Ijaw media organisations into the media fund of DESOPADEC and among others.

The publishers which earlier congratulated the Commissioner for his well-deserved appointment, appealed to the Commissioner to use his good office to correct the low preference accorded Ijaw media practitioners.

Also speaking on behalf of the Comrade Community, Comrade Binebai Princewill, appealed to the Commissioner to see to the recognition of the comrade community, an umbrella body of all Ijaw youths in activism, for the development of the Ijaw nation while pledging their support to the Commission.

In his response, Hon. Okpoye, who was excited at the brainstorming session with the visiting bodies, commended the IPF for their positive contributions towards the Ijaw nation and re-emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the entitlements due the Ijaws, get to them.

“From your objectives, I see that you’re doing wonderfully well for Ijaw Nation and I am very sure that you can represent us very well. I won’t hesitate to key into your objectives,” he reiterated.

However, he charged the body to be wary of fake news by ensuring the publishing of accurate information to the general public.