Five Years of Excellence: Niger Delta Leaders, PANDEF and INC Salute Congress Newspaper's Remarkable Media Journey

Niger Delta Leaders, PANDEF, INC Join Congress Newspaper to Celebrate Five Years of Media Excellence

By EgbemaVoice 

Prominent leaders, statesmen, traditional Chiefs and public office holders from across the Niger Delta have extended warm congratulations to the management and staff of Congress TV/Newspaper as the media organisation marks its fifth anniversary, attributing the milestone to resilience, consistency, institutional growth and an unwavering commitment to professional journalism.

Among those who sent goodwill messages are the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador (Dr.) Godknows Boladei Igali, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP),former Chairman of the Egbema/Gbaramatu Development Foundation who chaired the most talked about ceremony, 

Wing Commander Peter Yerindi Biakpara (Rtd.) former Nigerian Air Force officer, and ex-commissioner of Agriculture in Delta State, Chief Akpos Meze, Bayelsa State Director of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Chief Sheriff Mulade, Ph.D, National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing Ijaw Nationality on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC,

Mrs. Eunice Ngozi, wife of a two-time governorship aspirant in Delta State, Dr Braduce Angozi, Hon. Ebisinne Kofee Amasuomo; former senior special adviser to Delta State governor on Entrepreneur and several other distinguished personalities.

In their separate messages, the leaders praised Congress TV/Newspaper for sustaining credible and impactful journalism over the past five years despite the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria's media industry. They described the organisation's journey as a remarkable demonstration of consistency, resilience and professionalism, noting that the media outfit has continued to distinguish itself through balanced reporting, investigative journalism, public-interest advocacy and the promotion of transparency, accountability and good governance across the Niger Delta.

The congratulatory messages also acknowledged the leadership of the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin, for his vision, dedication and unwavering commitment to building an independent media platform that amplified the voices of the people and promotes development-oriented journalism. The dignitaries expressed confidence that Congress TV/Newspaper would continue to expand its reach, strengthen democratic ideals and remain a trusted voice in the Niger Delta and beyond.

The official letter of the PANDEF chairman, Amb. Igali Read, "I acknowledge receipt of the invitation extended to me as Special Guest of Honour and convey my warm felicitation to the entire management and staff of Congress Newspaper on the auspicious occasion of your 5th Anniversary Celebration, which comes up on Thursday July 16, 2026.

"There is no gainsaying, that this is a landmark achievement that is worthy of celebration, as it tells the story of consistency, persistence and growth.

"I must commend Congress Newspaper under your (Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin)exceptional leadership, for its doggedness to stay the course, and seeing this vision come alive despite daunting challenges. We are hopeful that the years to come will usher more landmark achievements, as I am confident in your ability to sail the ship properly ashore.

"Please accept the assurances of my very true regards".

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, the National President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Igbadiwei, announced the adoption of Congress Newspaper as one of the official media platforms for the activities of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation. 

"I commend the media outfit and its Publisher, Comrade Ozobo Austin, for consistently championing people-oriented advocacy and giving voice to critical issues affecting the Niger Delta"

Chief Igbadiwei assured the organisation of the INC's continued support, describing Congress Newspaper as a credible platform committed to truth and the advancement of the Ijaw and Niger Delta cause. 

He noted that the newspaper's publisher is following in the footsteps of the late Nigerian media icon, Ernest Ikoli, adding, " I have known Comrade Ozobo Austin for several years and has found him to be consistent, principled and unwavering in his commitment to the liberation, development and protection of the interests of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta at large".

However, the chairman of the ceremony, Amb. Jude Ukori, equally expressed confidence on the media platform for maintaining the ethics of journalism for five years. "I congratulate Congress TV/Newspaper for creating a voice for the indigenous people of the Niger Delta. This paper is our own, we will support it, hopefully in the next 5 years it will be pulling global attention" he added.

The national coordinator of CEPEJ Chief Mulade, also spoke in the same vein, noting that Congress five years of existence reflects a paper that has been in existence for more than 20years. He added "Congress is our proud voice. It is accurate, balanced and investigative. It is fast growing, within 5 years it has moved from indigenous paper to a national paper. We will not stop supporting Congress until it moves to the global space."

While expressing joy, Hon. Okpoye who was represented by Mr Raphael Olomieghene said Congress Newspaper deserved support, having seen what the paper has done within the past few years. He promised to support the management of Congress Newspaper to grow to the global space.

Also speaking at the event, retired Wing Commander Peter Yerindi Biakpara pledged to make substantial financial contributions from his pension to support Congress TV/Newspaper for the next 20 years. He lauded the media organisation for its resilience and dedication to building a credible and dependable voice for the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region.

Biakpara described Congress TV/Newspaper as a vital platform for promoting the interests and aspirations of the Niger Delta, stressing that its commitment to people-centred journalism deserved sustained support. "I will donate a substantial portion of my pension to the media organisation for the next 20 years. I commend Congress TV/Newspaper for its unwavering struggle to establish a dependable voice for the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta region," he said.

However, Hon. Ebisinne Kofee Amasuomo, Mrs. Braduce Angozi, General Godstime Ogidigba, Amb. Truston Gbenekama, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Meinbutus, the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), the Human Rights Congress, CONFAB, the Ijaw Women Rights Protection Forum (IWRPF), and other stakeholders also commended Congress News for its remarkable impact, resilience, courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to public service and the development of the Niger Delta. They noted that the media organisation has distinguished itself as a credible voice in the region, expressing confidence that Congress News has come to stay.

They further wished the organisation many more years of excellence, innovation and impactful service to society, urging its management and editorial team to remain steadfast in upholding the ethics of journalism while continuing to champion truth, justice, equity and sustainable development through responsible media practice.