Niger Delta converges as Congress newspaper is unveiled in Delta

By Markson Ode

Niger Delta and Nigeria at large converged in Warri, Delta State on Friday 4, 2022 as Congress newspaper was officially launched and unveiled.

The launching which took place at the prestigious Bon Hotel, saw the gathering of who is who in Niger Delta region and especially those in the political and media arena.This include youths, comrades, legal luminaries, traditional Chiefs, community members and students’ leaders across the country.

Many who spoke lauded the bold concept of the publisher, Comrade Ozobo Austin in joining other indigenous publishers in telling the balkanize stories of Niger Delta and other minorities in the world.Among the dignitaries were Rt. Hon.Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Shedrack Agediga, Executive Director PRS, Desopadec, Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Godknows Angele, chairman Burutu Local Government Council, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, commissioner of Oil and Gas, Delta State, Hon. Stanley Braboke, Commissioner of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Asupa Forteta, member representing Burutu North, Delta State House of Assembly, Eric Omare Esq, former IYC president, Dr. Sheriff Mulade, MD/CEO CEPEJ, Omes Ogedegbe, Esq, DG, Conference for Human Rights and exco, members of the forth estate of the realm, Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, SSA security to Delta State governor, the Delta Ijaw Comrade community, led Amb. Princewill Binebai and exco, Egbema Youth Council, led by Comrade Ebidouwei Messiah, Concerned Ijaws of Siluko Ward, Edo State, led by Comr Tolu E. Richard, Bayelsa and Rivers youths, Ogulagha Kingdom youths, IYC Ogulagha Clan, and among others.The chairman of the event, RT. Hon. Julius Pondi member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, in the Federal House of Representatives, single handedly anchored the event. His actions truly portrayed a servant leader.

This was a gesture lauded by all the participants at the event.Pondi, however urged the people of Niger Delta region to patronize indigenous media houses, inclusive of Congress newspaper, adding that the publisher of Congress newspaper has done much in telling the Niger Delta balkanize story.The lawmaker, maintained that Ozobo turning a publisher today is not a surprise, adding that he is a known personality in the media industry.

He pledged his unalloyed support to grow Congress newspaper to actualize the dreams of the publisher of creating a speaking space for balkanize Niger Delta region and others in the world.The Burutu Council chairman, Angele, also expressed delight over the concept of Congress newspaper, adding that the paper should stick into objectivity and fact reportage.The council Boss, assured the paper of his support in ensuring that the paper fulfilled what it stands for.

Commissioner of Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Bayelsa Commissioner of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Asupa Forteta, member Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Kofi Amasomo, SSA to Delta State governor on investment and others applauded the publisher for his giant strides in advocacy, and other contributions in the defence of the oppressed minorities in Nigeria.

The publisher, Comrade Ozobo while speaking earlier said the newspaper platform was not established to compete with any one but it was initiated to build a speaking space for the oppressed minorities in the world.

He also emphasized that the paper has been read by over 250 countries in the world, noting that soonest the paper would be one of the widely read and most famous newspaper in Africa.

His words: “We are here today for the much talked about launching/ unveiling of Congress newspaper, to be precise Congress newspaper is an offshoot of Congress media and global Publishing Company. It is not only a national newspaper in Nigeria but a global Publishing Company in the world. This company was established sometime March 2021 and registered as a Publishing Company with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, on 8th July, 2021.

“Congress newspaper came to limelight after the statutory registration with the CAC, and from the date of registration to this point of unveiling/launching, it is barely within eight months.

“Not withstanding our short time in the media space, we have done explicitly well. Our services in the media space are impressive and excellent. We tell accurate and interesting stories. We break stories as fast as we can and deliver improved quality of service. Congress is a brand already. Our contents are overwhelming and superb. Fortunately, Congress is already leading in the media space in Niger Delta.

“These are facts upheld by many, including veteran reporters across Nigeria.We received commendations on a daily basis. Despite that, we are yet to fully optimize and monitise our website. Over two hundred countries in the world have read about Congress newspaper within this short time of our presence in the media space. Every day at least 15 countries in the world read stories published by Congress newspaper. Most of these countries where Congress is widely read are United States, United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, Germany, etc”.