Ikoli was the first Journalist in Nigeria, mentored Chief Awolowo -Eselemo Reiterates at IPF’s Inauguration

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A Frontline Ijaw leader and historian Prince Collins Eselemo has revealed that Nigerian journalism has its roots with an Ijaw man, Earnest Ikoli, who mentored Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Nigerian president and other pioneering journalists. Eselemo made this disclosure at the second inauguration ceremony of NEC of the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) in Warri, Delta State.

Eselemo emphasised that the Ijaw people are proud and intelligent, and that IPF members are making the Ijaw nation proud by coming together as publishers and journalists. He urged them to practice journalism responsibly, pursuing truth, fairness, and justice.

Eselemo also criticized the federal government for betraying the Niger Delta region, saying the Presidential Amnesty Programme has not yielded meaningful development. He accused the government of not implementing the programme’s blueprint and called for more development in the region.

However, Eselemo claimed that the Ijaws are the original owners of Warri and urged them to demand recognition as the true owners of the area.