Ijaw National Congress (INC) Western Zone Elects and Swears in New Executive — Mr. Priye Noel Kuete Emerges Chairman By EgbemaVoice, The Western Zone of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has successfully elected and sworn in a new executive leadership at the former Egbema-Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation office, Warri, Delta State. The election, which was conducted under a peaceful, free, and fair atmosphere, was presided over by Bishop Dr. Godwyns Soroaye, JP, Chairman of the Electoral Committee (ELECO). The event was graced by dignitaries including the INC National President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba Ogele, alongside other prominent Ijaw leaders. Also present was the immediate past Western Zone executive led by Chief Robinson Ogunkoru. In his remarks, the ELECO Chairman, Bishop Dr. Godwyns Soroaye, commended Prof. Okaba and the Western Zone leaders for the opportunity to conduct the elections. He urged the newly elected officers to take their responsibilities serious...

BREAKING BOUNDARIES: THE QUEST TO UNITE EGBEMA UNDER ONE STATE – (DR. FUTURE TOM) WHO ARE EGBEMA PEOPLE? The Egbema people are a proud nation located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. We are riverine, oil-rich, and culturally vibrant. Our communities are known for resilience, industriousness, and a strong sense of identity. For centuries, we lived as one family, bound together by common language, traditions, and ancestry.  But today, the Egbema homeland is split into two: Egbema in Imo State (Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area with Oguta amongst its surrounding communities). Egbema in Rivers State (in ONELGA axis and with Ndoni and Ogba as its neighboring communities). This split is not of our making. It was imposed by colonial boundary drawing and perpetuated by state creation exercises that ignored the reality of our identity as one people. DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SPLIT BETWEEN TWO STATES, The division of Egbema into two states has left us in a perpetual state of d...

By Dr. U. T. Hart Egbema, a region comprising 16 main urban communities with 32 sub-communities, with 3 main urban communities situated in Rivers State and 13 main urban communities in Imo State, stands as a pivotal contributor to Nigeria's economic framework. As the nation's oil hub, Egbema is endowed with vast oil and gas deposits and uniquely hosts the country's sole mercury findings. Despite these significant contributions to the national economy, the people of Egbema face systemic neglect, brutal oppression, and economic exploitation. _The Plight of Egbema: A Story of Neglect and Oppression_ The challenges confronting the Egbema people are multifaceted and deeply entrenched: - _Extrajudicial Killings and Intimidation_: The proliferation of security agencies, including the Air Force, Navy, Mobile Police, and regular Police, has fostered an environment of fear and terror. This has led to the tragic loss of innocent lives and rampant intimidation of the po...

At exactly midnight on *November 15th*, something extraordinary happens in Kalabari land. The Atlantic Ocean tide swells and surges into the rivers and creeks, pushing back the freshwater from the Orashi River. To outsiders, it may appear as nothing more than a natural tidal shift. But to the Kalabari people, it is the end of one year and the birth of another. *November 16th—not January 1st—marks the true New Year*. *A Calendar Written in Water* The Kalabari, a proud riverine people, understand the tides not only as science but as spirit. When the saltwater enters, it restores the rivers to their original nature, cleansing away the impurities of the floods. In that moment, *life itself begins again*. And so, in the silence of the night, the Ekine Society calls out its most sacred masquerade—Ingbula, the spirit of cleansing. *The Masquerade of Renewal* The Ingbula masquerade is unlike any other. Guided by the rhythm of ancestral drums, its presence evokes a stirring beyond the earthly. ...

Edo State Traditional Leadership Dilemma: A Constitutional Abuse and Historical Distortion By EgbemaVoice, The Focus Egbema Group has condemned the ongoing manipulation of traditional leadership in Edo State, describing it as a violation of the 1999 Constitution, a distortion of Bendel State history, and a direct threat to unity and peace. According to the Central Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, Edo State is a federation of many ethnic nationalities. No monarch of one tribe can be king over all others. To impose one throne is not only unconstitutional, but it also rewrites our history.” The 1999 Constitution (Section 42) forbids discrimination based on ethnicity or community. Traditional rulers are custodians of their own people only. There is no such title as “King of Edo State,” just as there is no “King of Nigeria.” To legislate one ethnic monarch as chairman over other nationalities is illegal and void in law. When the Midwest Region was created in 19...

Edo State Traditional Leadership Dilemma: A Constitutional Abuse and Historical Distortion The Focus Egbema Group strongly condemns the unconstitutional manipulation of traditional leadership in Edo State, describing the attempt to impose a single ethnic monarch over other nationalities as a violation of the 1999 Constitution , a distortion of Midwest and Bendel history , and a threat to peace and unity. Speaking for the group, the Central Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka , declared: Edo State is a multi-ethnic state, not a one-tribe kingdom. No law, no governor, and no assembly has the power to erase the identity of its many nationalities.” The Constitutional Breach Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution forbids discrimination based on ethnicity or community. Traditional rulers are recognized by law as custodians of their own ethnic groups —not as rulers of others. There is no such thing as “King of Edo State,” just as there is no “King of Nigeria.” There...

PANDEF National Chairman, Amb Godknows Igali Inaugurates Lagos Chapter Chairman And Executives, Call On President Tinubu To Restore Democratically Elected Governor Of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara To Office Without Further Delay Have Interactive Meeting With Niger Deltans In Lagos State, In an interactive meeting of PANDEF National Executives with Niger Deltans resident in Lagos, the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali charges Niger Deltans to have unity and speak with one voice to achieve a common and purposeful development for the Niger Delta Region. He emphasised the marginalization of the Niger Delta people even before independence, which led to our leaders protesting to London. This led to the delay of the Nigeria independence and the setting up of Willink’s commission. According to the National Chairman, “PANDEF belongs to all Niger Deltans. It did not belong to National Executives. We are only working for all Niger Deltans, Igali explained. “...

UMUDIKE TOWN KICKOFF: OMEUDO'S #20 MILLION EGBEMA FESTIVAL SCOUTING FOOTBALL COMPETITION. By EgbemaVoice, Today, Umudike Town officially kicked off the life-transforming Egbema Festival Scouting Football Tournament, a unifying initiative powered by Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima (MFR), popularly known as Omeudo. The kickoff has once again brought vibrancy and unity to Umudike, reviving the town with renewed joy again. Everywhere Omeudo steps, peace follows, because Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima is a born peacemaker. Speaking at the event, Comr. Cleophas Eburue, former Egbema Youth President and former BOT chairman of Egbema Youth, applauded Omeudo for introducing this unifying tournament. He emphasized that Umudike, once misunderstood as a town lacking peace, is now attracting visitors from across Egbema to witness football and unity in action. Also speaking, Ifejirika Innocent, the current Youth President of Umudike, commended Hon. Uju, declaring that only U...

PRESS RELEASE Focus Egbema Group Commends Edo State Forestry Commission Chairman for Visit to Okomu Forest Reserve and National Park Group lauds government’s commitment to biodiversity, ANI collaboration, and calls for urgent road rehabilitation, Benin City, Edo State – September 10, 2025 — The Focus Egbema Group has commended the Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon. Valentine Asuen, for his recent courtesy visit to the Okomu Forest Reserve and National Park, describing the move as a strong demonstration of the Edo State Government’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. Speaking on behalf of the group, the Central Coordinator of Focus Egbema Kingdom, Comrade Mingo Friday Sayami Ogumaka, noted that Hon. Asuen reaffirmed the state government’s resolve under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo to strengthen biodiversity programs and protect Edo State’s forests and wildlife resources for future ge...

Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Boycott CVR, Demand Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Warri Constituency Delineation By EgbemaVoice, The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups of Warri Federal Constituency have declared their boycott of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must first implement the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the constituency. The protesters who stormed the INEC headquarters in large numbers came from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas making up the Federal constituency. The groups made their position known on Tuesday during a peaceful protest to the INEC headquarters in Abuja where they expressed deep worry over the INEC’s CVR in the area. They Carried placards with inscriptions such as “Warri Federal Constituency: No Ward, No Units for CVR”, “CVR Toda...

EDO STATE FORESTRY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN INSPECTS FOREST PLANTATION IN IGUOBAZUWA FOREST RESERVE, REITERATES GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO REFORESTATION, By EgbemaVoice, As part of the Edo State Government's effort to promote sustainable forestry management, the Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon. Valentine Owamagbe Asuen, embarked on an inspection tour of the forest plantations in Iguobazuwa Forest Reserve in Ovia South West Local Government Area. During the inspection, Hon. Asuen monitored the progress of the maintenance of the plantation, which is aimed at enhancing the reserve's biodiversity and promote eco-tourism in the state. The Chairman reiterated the commitment of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, to reforestation and the maintenance of all forest reserves in the state. He emphasized that the State government is dedicated to sustainably managing, conserving, and utilizing forest and wildlife res...

EDO STATE FORESTRY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN VISITS OKOMU FOREST RESERVE AND NATIONAL PARK, REITERATES GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMS In line with its mandate to facilitate the proper utilization, preservation, and protection of forest and wildlife resources, the Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon. Valentine Asuen, paid a courtesy visit to the Okomu Forest Reserve , National Park. During the visit, Hon. Asuen reiterated the commitment of the Edo State Government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, to biodiversity programs in the state. He emphasized the government's determination to preserve and protect the state's forest and wildlife resources for future generations. As part of the visit, Hon. Asuen met with members of the African Nature Investors Foundation (ANI) and toured the Okomu National Park to inspect projects initiated by the foundation in collaboration with the Edo State Government. The Cha...

State Creation: Egbema unites, demands creation of Orashi State, LGAs By Austin Okoro, Owerri EgbemaVoice News,  Kindly share this story; OWERRI –  The entire people of Egbema in Rivers and Imo States, have united and agreed to be in one state that will be created out of South-East and South-South by the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The people of Egbema gathered in their numbers on the 6th of September 2025 at the palace of HRH Eze Chadwick Ogor, the paramount ruler of Mgbede autonomous community under a program titled, “Egbema General Congress” and resolved to be united under one state that will be created soon. Speaking during the Congress, the Chief Convener of the event, Barr. Prince Nwakibea said, Elders, Opinion leaders, Women leaders, the church, the youths and the traditional institutions met at the palace of HRH Eze Chadwick Ogor in Mgbede Egbema, Rivers state and resolved that Egbema will be united in one state, called Orashi state. Barr Nwa...

READS PRESS RELEASE 5000 Itsekiri Graduates Of Novena Varsity Not Part Of Scholarship Beneficiaries- PAP •••We Are Not Owning Fees In Any Institution The Presidential Amnesty Programme has said that it is not owing school fees of 5000 students of Itsekiri extraction in Novena University, Ogume, Delta State. The PAP in a statement on Tuesday stated that the agency is not owing fees in Novena or any institution within or outside the country. The agency was reacting to claims by the so-called Office of the Sole Representative of His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri to NNPLC, that the Amnesty Programme is "indebted" to Novena University concerning "all Itsekiri students" who graduated from the institution purportedly under the programme's scholarship scheme. The monarch's agent, Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, made a curious claim in a statement that the alleged liability made the Olu's palace to announce an intervention to s...

Lawless DSS, too idle and incompetent to secure Nigeria, where over 130 citizens were killed just yesterday, has now written to Facebook, begging them to delete content they find “offensive” to their equally idle, tired, and criminal Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Again, I ask this of Nigerians,  how long do you want to continue being held hostage by a tiny, wicked, inhumane band of rogues? #RevolutionNow 7th September,2025  The Chairman and CEO Meta (Facebook) Platform. Inc 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park California USA Email:press@fbcom; legal@fb.com RE: MISLEADING INFORMATION AND WILLFUL INTENTION TO FURTHER AN IDEOLOGY CAPABLE OF SERIOUS HARM, INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE, CYBER CRIME, HATE SPEECH TO DISCREDIT/DISPARAGE THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND CAUSE SERIOUS THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE AND URGENT BAN/DEACTIVATION OF A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT OWNED BY OMOYELE SOWORE THROUGH HIS FACEBOOK PAGE OM...

FOCUS EGBEMA GROUP CELEBRATES HRH EZE CHADWICK NKEM OGOR (EZE-OGBÁGU) FOR HIS HERITAGE-BUILDING LEGACY By EgbemaVoice The people of Egbema Kingdom have once again expressed profound appreciation to His Royal Highness, Eze Chadwick Nkem Ogor (Eze-Ogbágu), for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the preservation and promotion of Egbema’s heritage, history, and homogeneity. The Focus Egbema Group, a socio-cultural organization advocating unity and development among the Egbema people worldwide, paid glowing tribute to the revered monarch. Speaking on behalf of the group, the Central Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, commended the Assistant Coordinator for Imo State, Mr. Kendrick Amdioha, for highlighting the exemplary leadership of Eze-Ogbágu. Since 2003, His Royal Highness has remained the driving force behind cultural revival in the kingdom. He pioneered and personally sponsored the Ugelé Egbema Forum and the Ugelé Egbema Magazine, initiativ...

THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE: Activist demands monumental projects for Niger Delta coastal areas By EgbemaVoice, A renowned peace, environmental and justice advocate in Delta State, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has urged the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to link up strategic locations in the Niger Delta's coastal areas to the urban centers with viable bridges and road projects to open them to massive infrastructural development and to boost economic activities that will yield more revenues for the country. Mulade's call is coming on the heels of the FG's unveiling of plans through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for a massive upgrade of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State, with a whooping N3.8 trillion already allocated to tackle the deep structural issues threatening the bridge’s viability It would also be recalled that N21 billion had been spent earlier on emergency repairs of the bridge late last year, w...

Revitalizing Delta State’s Entertainment Industry: An Open Letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori____ Chief Barrister Smooth  Reads full opening Letter..... AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI ON DELTA STATE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. Chief Barrister Smooth The Paddle of Niger Delta 07-09-2025 His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori Executive Governor of Delta State Government House Asaba, Delta State. Your Excellency, PETITION/APPEAL FOR THE REVITALIZATION AND STRUCTURING OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN DELTA STATE With utmost respect and humility, I write to You Your Excellency as a veteran who has devoted four decades to the growth, peace, and unity of Delta State through the platform of entertainment. I wish to draw your kind attention to certain issues that require urgent consideration for the sustainable development of the entertainment industry in our beloved state. Recently, a respected colleague and fellow veteran, Baba Kome, ...