Igbadiwei Speaks On Environmental Justice, Others At Congress Newspaper’s 5th Anniversary

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The National President of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, has renewed calls for environmental justice in the Niger Delta, greater investment in indigenous media, and strategic economic empowerment for the Ijaw people.

Igbadiwei, who is also the Prime Minister of Gbaraun Kingdom in Bayelsa State, made the call while delivering his keynote address as Special Guest of Honour at the 5th Anniversary of Congress Newspaper, held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at TM Palace Hotel, Airport Road, Effurun, Delta State.

Addressing dignitaries, media professionals and stakeholders, the INC President decried the persistent environmental degradation across oil-producing communities despite decades of crude oil exploration and the enormous wealth generated from the region. He described the continued pollution of the Niger Delta as a grave injustice, insisting that host communities deserved cleaner environments, better infrastructure and improved living standards.

He expressed deep concern over the plight of residents of Diebiri Clan and Odidi Community in Delta State, many of whom, he said, still live dangerously close to oil flow stations where continuous gas flaring exposes families to serious health and environmental hazards.

He urged the Federal Government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the area to urgently improve the living conditions of affected residents or relocate them to safer communities. He also drew attention to the worsening ecological challenges facing the Bille Community in Rivers State, describing the coastal settlement as highly vulnerable and in urgent need of government intervention.

Describing the Niger Delta as a fragile ecological zone, Igbadiwei stressed that environmental pollution, gas flaring and other extractive activities continue to threaten the livelihoods, health and future of the people. He maintained that environmental justice must remain a national priority and called for stronger commitment from all stakeholders to protect the region.

The INC President also lamented what he described as the inadequate representation of Ijaw issues in the mainstream media, arguing that the realities, aspirations and developmental concerns of the people are too often ignored or misrepresented. He therefore called on Ijaw entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders to deliberately invest in indigenous media organisations, particularly the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), to strengthen credible platforms capable of telling the authentic story of the Niger Delta without external influence.

On economic development, Igbadiwei observed that despite the Niger Delta’s immense contribution to Nigeria’s economy through oil production, many Ijaw people continue to grapple with poverty and limited economic opportunities. He challenged indigenous entrepreneurs to move beyond small-scale trading and invest in high-impact sectors such as construction materials, steel, cement, electronics and other large-scale industries capable of generating wealth, creating jobs and expanding the economic influence of the Ijaw nation.

He further urged Ijaw people to embrace unity, strategic partnerships and purposeful investments as essential drivers of sustainable development, expressing confidence that with collective resolve, sound leadership and economic self-reliance, the Ijaw nation would overcome its present challenges and achieve lasting prosperity.

In a message of hope, the INC President encouraged the people not to lose faith in the future, assuring them that brighter days lie ahead through resilience, self-belief and a shared commitment to progress.

A major highlight of the Congress Newspaper’s 5th Anniversary celebration was the presentation of prestigious awards to outstanding Niger Delta leaders, including Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, in recognition of their contributions to leadership, peace, advocacy and regional development. The awards were presented by the Founder and Publisher of Congress Newspaper,Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin.