By EgbemaVoice  The President of the Isoko Development Union (IDU), Prof. Chris Akpotu, has described President Bola Tinubu's assent to the bill establishing the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Oleh, Delta State, as a historic milestone that ends decades of perceived federal neglect of the Isoko people. Speaking on AIT's Kaakaki programme on Thursday, Akpotu said the approval of the FMC had given the Isoko nation a renewed sense of belonging in the Nigerian federation after years of lacking meaningful federal presence. He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, saying the gesture had restored hope among the people of Delta South Senatorial District, particularly the Isoko ethnic nationality. "This is one moment the people of Delta South Senatorial District, especially the Isoko people, will continue to celebrate because it reflects our long history of deprivation," he said. "For once, we have been made to believe that...

Mary Habila's Death: *Northern Youth Council Gives Minister Umahi Seven-Day Ultimatum To Resign, Threatens Nationwide Protests* Amid the controversy, the Northern Youth Council is reported to have issued a seven-day ultimatum to Minister Umahi to resign, threatening to mobilize nationwide protests if he does not step down. The group argues that the death of a young woman in the residence of a serving minister demands exceptional openness. The council warned that failure by the Federal Government to act within seven days would trigger coordinated nationwide protests in Abuja, Kaduna, Ebonyi State and other parts of the country. It said the demonstrations would continue until its demands for what it described as an independent and credible investigation are addressed. The NYCN maintained that the case deserves full transparency, insisting that public confidence can only be restored through an impartial investigation conducted without interference. At the time of the state...

CONGRATULATIONS…!! ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide hereby announces the constitution of the Transition Committee to oversee and coordinate the organization's transition process. The committee is constituted as follows: Hon. Alfred Kemepado – Chairman Dr. Freedom Atigbi – Co-Chairman Rt. Hon. Allen Gabriel Tomoni – Member Dr. Charles Ikimi – Member Perekosufa Ineife – Member Prince Iwefa Aganaba – Member Doubra Wuruyai – Member Hon. Abi Morris Bako – Member Johnmartins Ijere – Member Bright Egelu – Secretary Ms. Ebiere Keyagha – Member Kalizibe Joseph – Member The committee is expected to carry out its assignment with diligence, transparency, and commitment, while liaising with the National Executive Council (NEC) at all times to ensure a smooth and successful transition. At its inaugural meeting, the committee shall constitute the necessary sub-committees to facilitate the effective discharge of its responsibilities. We congratulate t...

CAUSES OF THE LINGERING COLD AGITATION IN EDO STATE A Historical, Constitutional, Political and Developmental Analysis By EgbemaVoice Research Desk Abstract The lingering "cold agitation" in Edo State, particularly among the Egbema Ijaw communities of Ovia South-West Local Government Area and neighbouring riverine communities, represents a prolonged expression of constitutional, political, socio-economic and cultural grievances. Unlike violent conflicts witnessed in parts of the Niger Delta, this agitation has largely remained peaceful, finding expression through advocacy, legal engagement, petitions, public enlightenment, media campaigns, stakeholder dialogue and democratic participation. This publication examines the historical foundations, constitutional dimensions, governance issues, developmental challenges and socio-cultural concerns that continue to shape the agitation, while highlighting pathways towards lasting peace, equity and sustainable development. Introduction ...

A COMMENDATION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME BOSS, CHIEF DENNIS BRUTU OTUARO, PhD I, Amb. Gen. Silas Tamarau-Emi Toruwei, JP, LL, proudly commend the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD, for his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and the remarkable all-inclusive system he has introduced in the administration of the programme. Your leadership has brought renewed hope to countless beneficiaries and has demonstrated a genuine commitment to fairness, transparency, unity, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region. The opportunities being created under your administration continue to empower young people, strengthen communities, and inspire confidence in the vision of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The inclusive nature of your leadership has ensured that no group feels left behind. By embracing stakeholders from different communities and backgrounds, you have continued...

 (A102–A103) of the  Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979. A102 42. A member of the Council shall hold office under the Council only for as long as he holds the office by reference to which he is appointed as a member of the Council under subsection (2) of section 40 of this Edict and shall, accordingly, vacate his seat in the Council if— (a) he ceases to hold the office by reference to which he is appointed a member of the Council; (b) he ceases to be a traditional ruler; or (c) he resigns his seat at any time by notice in writing addressed to the appropriate authority. Functions of the Council 43. (1) Before exercising any powers vested in it under sections 28 and 31 of this Edict (which sections relate to the power of the Executive Council to withdraw the approval of appointment, the suspension, deposition and banishment of a traditional ruler) the Executive Council shall consult the Council; Provided that the Executive Council shall...

2ND ANNIVERSARY: Egbo Lists Infrastructure, Security, Healthcare Gains ...Assures Of More Projects in Ughelli North  By EgbemaVoice  Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, has highlighted major achievements recorded by his administration in infrastructure, healthcare, security, education and staff welfare over the past two years, declaring that his government remains committed to delivering more development to the people.  Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing to commemorate his second anniversary in office, Egbo said his administration had remained focused on fulfilling its campaign promises despite the challenges facing local governments across the country.  He attributed the successes recorded so far to the support of the people, stakeholders and the leadership of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that the state's MORE Agenda had continued to provide direction for grassroots dev...

By EgbemaVoice  Former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, has hailed the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for resolving the leadership crisis in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and ensuring a peaceful election transition. Kuku, a one-time IYC spokesman, said in a press release that the recent rancour-free conduct of the foremost Ijaw ethnic nationality youth organisation’s national election was a defining moment in its history and in the collective journey of the Ijaw nation. He commended the Bayelsa governor for successfully facilitating the reconciliation process that resulted in differing interests within the organisation sheathing their swords and coming together during the July 11, 2026 election. The statement reads in part: “I consider it a duty to express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State and Governor-General of ...

Delta State Blackout Becomes Worrisome as BEDC, Government Remain Silent on Riverine Communities' Electrification — Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, By EgbemaVoice, The Niger Delta Youth Leader, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka (KingdomVoice), has expressed deep concern over the worsening electricity blackout across Delta State, describing the situation as unacceptable and particularly devastating for riverine communities. According to him, the prolonged power outage has crippled economic activities, increased the cost of living, and subjected residents to untold hardship, while both the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Delta State Government have remained silent on lasting solutions. Comrade Ogumaka called on the Delta State Government to prioritize the development of riverine communities by including them in its electricity expansion and infrastructure plans. He lamented that Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area remains com...

Police Arrest Content Creator ‘Odogwu of Asaba’ Over Alleged Rape, Death of 20-Year-Old Woman By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri. The Delta State Police Command has arrested popular social media content creator, Ifeanyi Ogbonna, widely known as “Odogwu of Asaba,” over allegations of raping a 20-year-old woman, Favor Agbro, who later died after allegedly taking a toxic substance. The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe. According to the police, the arrest followed a petition alleging that the deceased travelled to Asaba on June 1, 2026, after the suspect reportedly invited her with a promise to train her in content creation, a programme he allegedly promoted on his social media platforms. Police said that upon her arrival in Asaba, the suspect allegedly lodged her in a hotel where he was accused of raping and physically assaulting her. The victim reportedly returned home traumatised and narrated the incident...

POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE 50,000 POLICE CONSTABLES: PSC RELEASES NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS INTO THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE The Police Service Commission (PSC) has released the names of successful applicants for the recruitment of 50,000 into the Nigeria Police Force as Police Constables. The release follows the successful conclusion of a comprehensive, inclusive, equitable and transparent recruitment exercise conducted in collaboration with major stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, States Career and Counseling Departments and the Police Community Relations Committee. The Commission advises all candidates who participated in the recently concluded written examination to login to the official recruitment portal: npfapplication.psc.gov.ng to check their recruitment status.  The portal will be opened by 12:00am, Thursday, 16th July, 2026. Successful candidates will also receive email and...

PenCom reveals its plan for police pensions, says exit from Contributory Pension Scheme not needed By EgbemaVoice  The National Pension Commission, PenCom, has moved to allay rising unrest among Nigeria Police personnel about remaining in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying it aims to secure improved retirement benefits for officers—not to back their withdrawal from the scheme.Africans & Diaspora Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, said on Tuesday that the police has not withdrawn from the CPS, contrary to widespread public perception, stressing that their grievance centred on the disparity between their retirement benefits and those enjoyed by members of the Armed Forces. Speaking at a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Oloworaran said PenCom has opened talks with relevant government authorities to address police personnel concerns by improving pension benefits. ExecutiveBranchLaw Enforcement According to her: “The police have not exited t...

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has moved to calm growing agitation by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force over their continued participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying the commission is working to secure enhanced retirement benefits for officers rather than support their exit from the scheme. Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, on Tuesday said the police had not withdrawn from the CPS, contrary to widespread public perception, stressing that their grievance centred on the disparity between their retirement benefits and those enjoyed by members of the Armed Forces. Speaking during a media interaction at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, Oloworaran said PenCom had opened discussions with relevant government authorities to address the concerns of police personnel through improved pension benefits. “The police have not exited the Contributory Pension Scheme. They want to exit because they believe their benefits are too small. They compare their...

MULADE ANNOUNCES DELTA ETHNIC PEACE AND UNITY CUP 2026, By EgbemaVoice  Delta State is set to witness another landmark initiative aimed at promoting peace, unity, and grassroots sports development as renowned development and peace advocate, Chief Comrade Mulade Sheriff PhD, announced the readiness and commence preparedness for the *Multi-Million Naira Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Football Tournament 2026* The football competition, an initiative of the *Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ)* in collaboration with the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, is designed to strengthen peaceful coexistence and foster unity among the various ethnic nationalities in Delta State through sports. The tournament, previously known as the *Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament,* was established following the Warri crisis as a strategic peace-building initiative to reduce ethnic tensions and encourage reconciliation between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people. Over the year...

‎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...