At 5: Dr Ekanpou Lauds Congress Newspaper For Fearless, bold, Pro-people Journalism in Niger Delta

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Following the 5th anniversary celebration of Congress Newspaper of uninterrupted journalism, leaders and media stakeholders had commended the publication for its bold advocacy, investigative reporting, and commitment to the ordinary citizen.

The 5th anniversary was commemorated in Warri on July 16, 2026, with tributes pouring in for the paper’s role in holding power-wielders accountable and championing a “borderless society” of development.

In a goodwill message, Dr. Enewaridideke Ekanpou described the newspaper’s five-year journey as a “journalistic voyage” driven by the philosophy of re-imagining relations between the rulers and the rule to foster integration and self-actualisation.

He said the paper has worked to steer Nigerians away from “border tensions” and transnational migration, locally called _’japa’_, by focusing on education, infrastructural growth, and human capital development.

Dr. Ekanpou praised _Congress Newspaper_ as “focused, fearless, confident, consistent, independent and investigative,” noting that it remains ethically faithful to African cultural values and indigenous spirituality.

“For five consistent years you have barked relentlessly at power-wielders to be awakened to the core of their national task and stop creating administrative and developmental borders in governance,” he said. “Despite covert and overt threats, the newspaper has never deflected from its core philosophy of advocacy against power rot.”

He added that the paper’s decision to walk the path of anti-establishment journalism sets it apart, as “media houses that walk unwaveringly on this path are few and far between.”

Citing Chinua Achebe’s _Anthills of the Savannah_, Dr. Ekanpou said the newspaper’s pro-people approach prioritizes the “vital link” between government and citizens, with ordinary people serving as “the measuring tape of good governance.”

He congratulated the management and staff for crossing “five turbulent rivers” and urged them to sustain their vision of fearless, investigative and ethically driven journalism.

“I wish the Congress Newspaper better days of anti-establishment journalism, pro-people journalism, and journalism that awakens government to the need for border inclusivity,” he stated.