‎Niger Delta's Problem Isn't Buhari, It's Our Own Appointees — HRM Whiskey  ‎Don’t scrap NDDC, return it to presidency, ‎…Law establishing NDDC has no space for sole administrator ‎By Levinus Nwabughiogu ‎His Royal Majesty, King Monday Obukowho Whiskey is the Udurhe 1, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Delta State. He made a presentation to the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB during the public hearing, last week and afterwards, spoke to Journalists on the state of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, among other issues. ‎ ‎On calls for scrapping of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and the appointment of a sole administrator by the President ‎ ‎ ‎The situation in the Niger Delta is, frankly speaking, giving the government the wrong impression that the security agencies and the few appointees can have their way. One of the first things that the government needs to do is to approach every situation in the Ni...

LETTER OF APPRECIATION 14th July, 2026 With a heart full of gratitude and deep appreciation to God Almighty, I wish to sincerely thank every individual and group who contributed in one way or the other to the success of the just concluded Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide National Convention and Election held on 11th July, 2026, which culminated in the emergence of Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete as the 10th President-Elect of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide. This victory is not the achievement of one person but the product of collective sacrifice, unwavering commitment, and a shared vision for a united and progressive Ijaw Nation. I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for his fatherly leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to peace. Your decisive role in fostering reconciliation and ensuring unity between the two factions of the Ijaw Youth Council before the election laid the foundation for a pe...

5 Years of Amplifying the Niger Delta: Congress Newspaper Celebrates July 16 • It is “5 Years of Excellence, Commitment, Courage and Service”-Management LAGOS – A fast growing newspaper, in the heart of Niger Delta has concluded plans to mark a grand five year anniversary celebration on the 16th July, 2026 in WARRI, Delta State Nigeria. The Management of congressng.com made the clarification in a press statement signed and forwarded to newsmen on Tuesday, with a series of events lining up to celebrate five years of excellence, impact, courage, commitment and service, guided by its motto: True, Fearless and Credibility. The congressng.com management said the commemoration is aimed at reflecting on the paper’s journey, honouring its contributors, and reaffirming its commitment to credible reporting and creating a speaking space for the minority's voice in Nigeria and beyond. It was gathered that since its launch in the year 2022, the paper has positioned itse...

THE 2026 IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) NATIONAL ELECTION HAS COME AND GONE! To God be all the glory! Today, we celebrate not merely an electoral victory, but the triumph of unity, peace, democracy, and the collective will of the Ijaw people. Indeed, this is a victory for the entire Ijaw Nation. With profound humility and a heart filled with gratitude, I sincerely thank the 117 delegates across all chapters and every supporter who believed in our shared vision and stood firmly with us throughout this journey. I am deeply honoured by the confidence reposed in me to serve as the President-Elect of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, alongside the distinguished members of the 10th National Executive Council (NEC). I wish to express my deepest appreciation to our revered fathers and leaders whose guidance, encouragement, and unwavering commitment ensured the peaceful conduct and success of this historic election. In particular, I acknowledge: * His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri,...

ENUGU STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE ENUGU POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR BUS DRIVER, CONDUCTOR OVER SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICERS, ATTEMPTED MURDER, SNATCHING OF A POLICE RIFLE The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus for the offences of conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, dangerous driving, attempted murder, and the snatching of a Police rifle. The incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on July 9, 2026, at All Saints Roundabout, along Abakaliki Road, Enugu. Acting on information received from the Command's Control Room that the driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty, operatives of the Command's Distress Response Squad (DRS) intercepted and flagged down the vehicle. However, instead of submitting to arrest, the driver deceptively slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape. In the process, he knocked down one of the operatives and dragge...

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, under the leadership of Comrade Nicholas Tamara-denyefa Igarama led executive warmly congratulates Comrade (Dr.) Doubra Collins Okotete on his election as the 10th President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, alongside the distinguished members - elect of the 10th National Executive Council, following the successful conclusion of the IYC Worldwide National electioneering process. Your emergence is a resounding testament to the confidence and trust reposed in your leadership, vision, competence, and unwavering commitment to the unity, progress, and sustainable development of the Ijaw nation.  We are confident that your administration will provide purposeful and visionary leadership, uphold the core ideals upon which the Ijaw Youth Council was founded, and effectively champion the collective aspirations of Ijaw youths across the globe. As you prepare to assume this important ...

OBOTOBO 1, COMMUNITY CONGRATULATES COMR. DR. DOUBRA OKOTETE COLLINS ON EMERGENCE AS 10TH NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) WORLDWIDE___ LEADER EBIWARE OWOLO (AGBALAKOKO)  By Egbemavoice  A prominent Niger Delta ex-agitator, respected community leader, and Executive Chairman of Obotobo I Federated Community in Ogulagha Kingdom, Leader Ebiware Owolo aka (Agbalakoko), on behalf of the community has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Comr. Dr. Doubra Okotete Collins following his emergence as the 10th National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide. In a congratulatory message made available to EgbemaVoice News, Leader Owolo described the emergence of Comr. Dr. Collins as a divine act of God and a well-deserved victory for the entire Ijaw nation. According to him, the outcome of the election reflects the confidence and trust reposed in the new president by Ijaw youths across the globe. Leader Owolo stated that Co...

After 23 Years, Oborevwori Moves to Rescue Abandoned DELSU Senate Building …Invites Bids for Completion, Rolls Out Major Projects Across Delta  By EgbemaVoice  Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has moved to end the 23-year abandonment of the Senate/Administrative Building of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, with the state government formally inviting qualified contractors to bid for its completion.  The decisive move follows the Governor’s earlier revocation of the long-stalled contract to pave the way for its re-award to a competent contractor capable of delivering the landmark project.  Governor Oborevwori had, during the 17th Convocation Ceremony of DELSU, expressed concern over the prolonged abandonment of the project and declared that his administration would take concrete steps to ensure its swift completion.  Making good on that pledge, the Delta State Tenders Board has now listed the completion of the Senate/Admini...

NBA SECURES LANDMARK JUDGMENT ON THE STATUS OF LAWYERS IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to formally inform all members of our dear association of the landmark judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, on 10 July 2026 in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/264/2025: Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Police Service Commission & 5 Ors. This public interest action was instituted by the Nigerian Bar Association through the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) to seek judicial interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 and the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, particularly as they relate to the status, functions, and deployment of legal practitioners serving within the Nigeria Police Force. In a well-considered judgment, the Court upheld substantial aspects of the NBA’s claims and made important declarations and consequential...

According to the association, several police officers recruited as General Duty Officers later obtained law degrees and were called to the Nigerian Bar but were never formally converted to the Specialist Legal Cadre as required by law.  Despite this, they allegedly continued to provide legal services and represent the Nigeria Police in civil cases. The NBA argued that the practice violates Rule 8 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which restricts lawyers in salaried employment from appearing in court for their employers unless they are employed as legal officers within a government department or agency.  Among the reliefs sought were orders compelling the conversion of qualified police lawyers currently performing legal duties into the Specialist Legal Cadre and directing the deployment of police lawyers to every police division in line with Section 66(3) of the Police Act 2020.  Before addressing the substantive issues, the court dismissed a preliminary ob...

EGBEMAVOICE NEWS AND CREWS CELEBRATE GENERAL MANAGER, COMR. GANDY WISDOM TANIMAWO, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY The Management, Editorial Board, News Crew, and the entire EgbemaVoice family heartily felicitate with our esteemed General Manager, Comr. Gandy Wisdom Tanimawo, as he marks another remarkable year of God's faithfulness, grace, and accomplishments. Today, we celebrate a visionary leader whose dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment have contributed immensely to the growth and success of EgbemaVoice. Your exemplary leadership, humility, integrity, and passion for excellence continue to inspire the entire team and countless people within and beyond our community. As you celebrate this special milestone, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, sound health, divine wisdom, greater achievements, and abundant blessings. May this new chapter of your life usher in greater opportunities, remarkable successes, and lasting fulfillment in all you...

PRESS STATEMENT NIGER DELTA YOUTH LEADER, COMRADE MINGO FRIDAY SAYAMI OGUMAKA, CONGRATULATES COMRADE DR. DOUBRA COLLINS OKOTETE ON HIS EMERGENCE AS THE 10TH NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) WORLDWIDE The Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Mingo Friday Sayami Ogumaka, popularly known as KingdomVoice and widely recognized as the "IYC Defend Minister," has extended his warm congratulations to Comrade Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete on his emergence as the 10th National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide. In a congratulatory statement, Comrade Mingo described Dr. Okotete's emergence as a well-deserved victory for the Ijaw nation and the younger generation, noting that his years of dedication, sacrifice, commitment, and selfless service to the Ijaw struggle have prepared him for the enormous responsibility of leading the foremost Ijaw youth organization. According to him, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete has distinguished himself ...

From Midwestern Province to Bendel, the Journey of Delta State at a Glance By EgbemaVoice  Did you know that Delta State on creation started with 12 local government areas (LGAs) and that the city of Warri is the biggest commercial city in the state? Delta state was formally a part of the Mid-Western Region, which was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991 before it was renamed as Bendel state in 1976. The Mid-Western Region was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City. It was renamed a province in 1966, and in 1967 when the other provinces were split up into several states, it remained territoriality intact, becoming a state. During the Nigerian Civil War, the Biafran forces invaded the new Mid-Western state, en route to Lagos, in an attempt to force a quick end to the war. While under Biafran occupation, the state was declared the "Republic of Benin". As Nigerian forces retook the region, the republic collapse...

Page Header Logo International Journal of Culture and History  Vol 6, No 2 (2019) > Itua Succession Under Customary Law in Nigeria.  The Rule of Primogeniture versus the Deposition of a Traditional Ruler (Onojie) in Edo State: A critique of the Provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edicts No 16 of 1979 Paul Okhaide Itua Abstract Before the advent of colonial administration in the area, which is presently known as Nigeria, there existed a people occupying vast areas of territories, which were traditionally dominated by highly diverse ethnic groups with highly sophisticated language systems. Apart from the variation in the languages, there also exist shape differences in terms of customs and traditions. However, with the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorate by Lord Frederick Lugard the former Governor-General of Nigeria in 1914 these territories were brought together for the convenience of British Colonial Administration. The new territory was call...

By Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka Niger Delta Youth Leader The continued complaints by several indigenous ethnic nationalities in Edo State over issues relating to traditional administration, political representation and cultural identity deserve urgent attention from both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria. For decades, many minority ethnic nationalities, particularly the Ijaw people in Edo South Senatorial District, have expressed concerns over what they describe as political marginalization, unequal treatment and attempts to impose traditional structures that they believe are inconsistent with their history, customs and identity. It is alleged that successive administrations in Edo State have, through government policies and recognition processes, favoured one ethnic nationality above others, thereby creating an atmosphere of inequality and deepening ethnic tension. These concerns have repeatedly been raised by affected communities, who ...

By EgbemaVoice  The National Chairman of Phase 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Gen. Godstime Ogidigba (Gen. Ogidigba), has applauded the leadership of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, led by Comrade Austin Ozobo, for their commitment to highlighting the achievements and positive strides of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro. Gen. Ogidigba described the initiative as timely and commendable, noting that it has helped to clarify misconceptions surrounding the Otuaro-led administration. He said the forum's efforts have also served as a strong response to misinformation, propaganda and false narratives circulated on social media by critics seeking to undermine the accomplishments of the PAP Administrator. He therefore called on other media organizations, leaders and stakeholders across the Niger Delta region to emulate the example set by Comrade Austin Ozobo by actively promoting the achievements and developmental i...

By Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka (KingdomVoice), Niger Delta Youth Leader Recent comments by some Bini ethnic advocates referring to the Ijaw people of Edo State as "tenants" are provocative, misleading, and capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationalities in Edo State. Such statements should be rejected by all who value truth, justice, and unity. The Ijaw people are one of the indigenous ethnic nationalities of present-day Edo State. Historical records and oral traditions indicate that Ijaw settlements existed in the riverine areas of what is now Edo State long before the modern Nigerian state was created. Like other indigenous communities, the Ijaw have their own traditional institutions, cultural heritage, ancestral lands, and recognized kings. No ethnic group has the moral or legal authority to describe another indigenous people as "tenants" in their ancestral homeland. Edo State is a multi-ethnic state co...

By EgbemaVoice  Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has continued to bring relief and renewed hope to vulnerable women across the state as 10,000 beneficiaries of the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme began receiving their June 2026 monthly stipends. Beneficiaries drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state were said to be receiving alerts as of Friday, with many expressing appreciation to the Oborevwori administration for sustaining the intervention programme. The scheme, designed to cushion the economic hardship faced by widows, has provided a critical lifeline to thousands of women grappling with the emotional trauma of losing their spouses and the financial uncertainty that often follows widowhood. Speaking with journalists in Asaba, the State Coordinator of the Widows Welfare Scheme, Elder Isioma Okonta, commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as exemplary and compassionate leadership. Okonta disclosed that payment of the June 2...

By EgbemaVoice  Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Delta State, Sir Festus Ahon, has congratulated veteran journalist and Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, on the occasion of his 60th birth anniversary. In a congratulatory message, Ahon described Enebeli, who is also the State Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), as an erudite journalist, accomplished public relations professional and respected media leader whose contributions to journalism and strategic communication have remained remarkable over the years. He noted that Enebeli, Chief Executive Officer of Bel Media Consult Limited and Publisher of Ndokwa Reporters, had consistently deployed his professional platforms to promote responsible journalism, good governance, accountability and sustainable development in Nigeria, Delta State and Ndokwa Nation. Ahon commended the veteran journalist for his commitment to ethical journalism, professional e...

By EgbemaVoice  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Federal Medical Centre, Oleh Establishment Bill, marking a historic breakthrough for healthcare delivery in Delta South Senatorial District. The bill, sponsored by the Senator representing Delta South, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, provides for the establishment of the first Federal Medical Centre in the senatorial district, ending decades without a federal tertiary health institution in the oil-producing region. Reacting to the development, Joel-Onowakpo described the President’s assent as a landmark victory for the people of Delta South and a major step towards correcting the longstanding imbalance in access to quality healthcare. The lawmaker expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as visionary and responsive leadership, noting that the new medical centre would bring specialised healthcare closer to millions of residents and serve as a beacon of hope for communities tha...

By EgbemaVoice  The Member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, has commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, over the approval of the N22.69 billion reconstruction of the strategic Udu–ECN Road. Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, described the project as another legacy intervention that would improve connectivity, boost commerce and ease transportation across communities in the federal constituency. The 20-kilometre road, with an additional two-kilometre spur to Otor-Udu, stretches from the Warri–Port Harcourt Expressway at ECN Junction to the DSC Expressway at Udu Road Junction. In a statement on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, Waive thanked the Governor on behalf of his constituents, noting that the project would impact communities across Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu local government areas. “Your administration continue...

By EgbemaVoice  The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the provision of 50 buses to boost public transportation across the state, describing the initiative as a practical demonstration of people-centred governance. The Guild, in a letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, said the intervention underscored the Governor’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Deltans and translating the promises of his MORE Agenda into tangible benefits. According to GOMEP-NG, the initiative goes beyond the deployment of buses, as it represents a strategic investment in economic mobility, improved access to opportunities, reduced transportation costs and better daily living for thousands of residents. “This thoughtful intervention is another clear demonstration of your unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life of Deltan...

By EgbemaVoice. Renowned Niger Delta activist, Comrade Ozobo Austin, has commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro for building a new generation of educated and skilled Niger Deltans for a brighter future of the region, through his unwavering commitment to sponsoring foreign/local education, vocational training, prompt payment of stipends, and sustained peace in the Niger Delta region following the completion of the six batch of the leadership capacity training held in Abuja which ended on Wednesday. In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, Comrade Ozobo described Chief Otuaro’s leadership as a refreshing departure that has repositioned the Amnesty Programme to truly serve its purpose. He noted that the ongoing leadership and alternative dispute resolution training, scholarship schemes, and vocational empowerment initiatives have given thousands of ex-agitators and youths in the region new hope and direction...