The apex Ijaw media body, the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), has elected a new set of national executives to steer the affairs of the organisation for the next two years, following what was described as a peaceful, transparent and credible national election.
The election, held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Africa 4 Peace Centre, Ugolo, near Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, produced Comrade Ozobo Austin of Congress News as President and Oyinbi Nduku of Niger Delta Mirror as 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, among others elected to serve in various capacities.
The electoral process was supervised by 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 on their vision and programmes 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 notable Ijaw leaders such as High Chief Wellington Bobo, Chief Sheriff Mulade, Honourable Kofee Ebisinne Amasuomo and Chief Evans Etimigba, among others. Observers commended the process, describing it as free, fair and credible.
Speaking at the event, Chief Sheriff Mulade urged the newly elected executives to uphold professionalism, unity and ethical journalism, charging them to project the Ijaw nation positively through responsible media practice.
Addressing journalists after his declaration, Ozobo, who will be serving a second term as President, pledged to consolidate on the gains recorded during his first tenure. The human rights activist assured that his administration would continue to promote professionalism and excellence in the media industry, while also prioritising improved welfare for IPF members.
The forum also expressed profound appreciation to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, for his support and contributions to the organisation and the Niger Delta region. IPF commended Dr. Otuaro for reviving the foreign scholarship programme, which had been scrapped by previous administrations, and facilitating opportunities for over 4,000 beneficiaries to study abroad.
The group further lauded his reforms in stakeholder engagement, vocational training and the prompt payment of stipends, describing him as one of the best administrators of the PAP since its inception. According to the forum, his commitment to youth empowerment and peacebuilding has continued to strengthen stability in the Niger Delta.
The IPF announced that a date would be communicated in due course for the formal inauguration of the newly elected national executives.
