IPF Nat’l Election: Ozobo Emerges President for Second Term, Commends Dr. Otuaro

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The apex Ijaw media body, the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), has elected a new leadership to pilot the affairs of the forum for the next two years, following a peaceful and transparent national election.

The election was held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Africa 4 Peace Center, Ugolo, near Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. At the end of the exercise, Comrade Ozobo Austin of Congress News emerged as President, while Oyinbi Nduku of Niger Delta Mirror was elected Vice President.

Also elected were Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria as Secretary-General and Ezekiel Kagbala of FocalPoint Reports as Spokesperson. Other members of the new executive include Comrade Ekpegha Tamaraupreye of South South Daily as Welfare Officer and Mr. Kanjo Joseph as Financial Secretary, alongside other officials to serve in various capacities.

The electoral process was conducted under the supervision of a three-man National Electoral Committee (N-ELECO), chaired by Comrade Francis Abai, with Cletus Opukeme as Secretary and Anthony Demebide as Member. Prior to voting, the committee presented the election guidelines, after which candidates addressed members with brief speeches on their vision for the forum.

The exercise was observed by external stakeholders, including Comrade Afore Theodore, Adviser to the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI); Amogha Hilda of the Ijaw Women Rights Protecting Forum; and prominent Ijaw leaders such as High Chief Wellington Bobo, Chief Sheriff Mulade, Honourable Kofee Ebisinne Amasuomo, and Chief Evans Etimigba, among others.
Observers commended the conduct of the election, describing it as free, fair, and credible.

Speaking at the event, Chief Sheriff Mulade charged the newly elected executives to uphold professionalism, unity, and ethical journalism, urging them to project the Ijaw nation positively through responsible media practice.

Addressing newsmen after his declaration as winner, Ozobo who will be serving a second tenure as president, assured members to consolidate on the wins the body achieved in the first tenure.

The human rights activist maintained that his second term will ensure that IPF consistently upholds professional standards and excellence in the media industry. Ozobo also laid emphasis on ensuring better welfare of IPF members.

Ozobo further expressed the group’s heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), for his outstanding support and contributions to the organization. Dr. Otuaro has been praised for reviving the abroad scholarship program, which had been scrapped by previous administrators, and facilitating over 4,000 beneficiaries to study abroad.

The group commended his reforms, including stakeholders’ engagement, vocational training, and prompt payment of stipends. The IPF described Dr. Otuaro was one of the best administrators of the PAP since its inception, citing his commitment to empowering Niger Delta youths and promoting peace in the region.

The forum announced that a later date would be communicated for the formal inauguration of the newly elected executives.