THE LAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IJAW LONG BEFORE EDO ONDO AND DELTA IT'S NOT COINCIDENCE THAT EVERY HISTORIAN WHO WROTE ABOUT BENIN ARE SAYING THE SAME THING IN DIFFERENT WORDS. IJAWS FORM THE BASIS OF BENIN CITY AND PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MAKING UP THE BENIN ETHNIC GROUP WITHOUT BEING FULLY ASSIMILATED INTO BENIN. First let's take a glance on The great Benin historian, Chief Jacob Uwadiae Egharevba (1893-1981): "...Many many years ago the benins Came all the way from Egypt to found a more secured shelter in this part of the world after a short stay in Sudan and at Ile-Ife..." In his book, A Short History of Benin Kingdom, made it crystal and emphatically clear that the Binis met human inhabitants  when they escaped from Ile Ife. Chief Jacob Egharevba demonstrably pontificated that the Binis came across several rivers and streams and met people whose daily livelihood was tied to these rivers and streams. These people are the Ijaws and, according to Chief Eg...

IGP DISU DEPLOYS COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE TO COMMANDS, STRATEGIC FORMATIONS The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has approved the deployment of Commissioners of Police to State Commands and strategic formations across the country following the approval of his recommendations by the Police Service Commission. The deployment is aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness, enhancing leadership across Commands and formations, and consolidating the ongoing reform and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force. The newly deployed Commissioners of Police to State Commands are as follows; CP Abia; CP Afolabi Wilfred Olutokunbo, CP Plateau; CP Ayodeji Faniyan, fdc, CP Bayelsa; CP Saka Adewale Ajao, CP Cross River; CP Ajo Geofrey Ordue, CP Anambra; CP Nanna Oji Ama, CP Edo; CP Patrick Daaor, CP Jigawa; CP Tani Murtala, and CP Delta; CP Samuel Erale. Other approved deployments are as follows; CP Intelligence & Training, Force Intelligence Department (FID)...

By gandi wisdom,   Jubilation engulfed Ogbinbiri main town during the week as the member representing Ogbinbiri Ward 17 at the Warri North Local Government Legislative Arms Hon Ebenezer Ebikabowei Bigha gifted the Community eight massive Canopies as part of his constituency project.  Hon Bigha appreciate the Leadership of the Council ably lead by Hon Festus Ashima for ensuring the dividends of democracy get to the people at the grassroots no matter how little. He further thanked the leaders and electorates of Ogbinbiri Community the privilege to represent them as Councillor of Ward 17. In the same vein the Chairman of Ogbinbiri Main town Mr Census Ariaye and other members of his executive received the eight Big Canopies on behalf of the community and offered a word of prayer, having appreciated him for the kind gesture.  According to the Chairman, Hon Ebenezer's representation has been unprecedented, for this is not the first time he has broug...

THE HISTORICAL VISIT BY THE OBA OF BENIN TO THE PALACE OF THE AGADAGBA OF EGBEMA  The date is 19th Sept,2017 this are the words of your Oba through his delegates  This piece is just an appraisal of the recent visit by a delegation of the Oba of Benin Oba Ewuare the second led by Chief Colonel Paul Ogbebor rtd who visited the Palace with two Chiefs from kingdom of the hinterland. In delivering the message Colonel Paul rtd stated as follows; " the Oba has sent me and my colleagues on a peace tour to all the Ijaw kingdoms in Edo State as neighbours from the ancient times. We have worked and lived together as partners from time immemorial. Egbema is one of the oldest kingdoms and we worked together over the years to conquer so many states up to Lagos with the help of the Agadagba of Olodiama (Ikoro) He led the war to Benin republic and to Dahomey. Today there is a town named after the king as OBANIKORO in Lagos State. Gelegele has been a trade route from 1462 where the Portuguese...

Justice Strikes Back: ONC Applauds Rivers Police as Killers of Two Officers Are Tracked Down, Stolen Rifles Recovered" The President General of the Orashi National Congress (ONC), Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, has commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, and officers of the Rivers State Police Command for what he described as a remarkable breakthrough in the fight against violent crime in the state. Amb. Ibe's commendation follows the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious criminal gang allegedly responsible for the brutal attack and murder of two police officers during a stop-and-search operation in the Aluu area of Rivers State on June 29, 2026. According to the Rivers State Police Command, the suspects were apprehended after intensive intelligence gathering and sustained tactical operations carried out by operatives of the Command's Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU). During the operation, security personnel rec...

Ward Delineation: Egbema Youth Council Faults Itsekiri Group, Declares Ijaws Majority in Warri North .....  Urges Itsekiri Groups to Respect INEC Ward Delineation, Supreme Court Judgment By EgbemaVoice, The Egbema Youth Council (EYC) Worldwide has called on Itsekiri groups to respect the final ward delineation for Warri North Local Government Area as implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment. In a press statement signed by President General Amatelemowei A. Sode, Esq., General Secretary Engr. Gift Erin-Ebimi, and Public Relations Officer Comr. Ugure Famous, the council commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and INEC for upholding the rule of law and implementing the apex court's directive. The council maintained that the current delineation followed extensive field verification and constitutional procedures, stressing that the previous ward structure had already been nullified by the Supreme Court. It...

By EgbemaVoice  The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State Wing, has applauded Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for approving enhanced career progression for university graduate teachers in the state's public primary schools, describing the decision as a significant milestone in improving teachers' welfare and strengthening the education sector. The union said the governor's intervention had addressed a long-standing challenge that had limited the career advancement of graduate teachers in the primary school system, noting that the development would boost morale and further enhance service delivery across public schools. In a letter jointly signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Poubeni Dickson, and the Assistant Secretary-General, Comrade Dan Basime, the NUT said the approval reflected the Oborevwori administration's commitment to rewarding professionalism and investing in quality education. According to the union, the policy would el...

By EgbemaVoice, Niger Delta Ex-agitator General Norway Simon (Popularly Known as Igbadudu has called for unity, peace and collective development in Egbema kingdom, Ovia South West, Ikpoba Okha and Warri North local Government Area of Delta and Edo states, he said, The strength of every great nation and community lies not in its differences but in its unity. As sons and daughters of the great Egbema Kingdom, blessed with a rich cultural heritage, resilient people, and abundant natural resources, we must recognize that our collective future depends on our ability to work together in peace and harmony. General Norway make an heartfelt appeal to our revered traditional chiefs, political leaders, business owners, community chairmen, youth leaders, fellow generals, opinion leaders, and every proud son and daughter of Egbema Kingdom to rise above personal interests, political affiliations, and misunderstandings. This is the time to embrace unity, mutual respect, and purposeful col...

WHO KILLED ISAAC ADAKA BORO? Before we argue about the future of the Niger Delta, we must first understand our history. What do you really know about Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro? On 23 February 1966, Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic. His struggle was not presented as a struggle for the Ijaw people alone, but for the wider Niger Delta, driven by concerns about injustice, underdevelopment, and the exploitation of the region's resources. The republic lasted only 12 days before it was defeated by federal forces. Years later, after receiving amnesty, Boro joined the Nigerian Army. In 1968, he died during the Nigerian Civil War under circumstances that remain disputed. To this day, different accounts exist about exactly how he died, and there is no universally accepted conclusion about who was responsible. This brings me to an important question: If Isaac Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic for the benefit of the entire Niger Delta, why is it that today Boro Day is celeb...

By EgbemaVoice  The Convener of the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming competition, describing the tournament as a strategic platform to strengthen peace, unity, cultural integration, and youth empowerment across Delta State. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, said the initiative, jointly organized by CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, is designed to unite the state's seven major ethnic nationalities—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa, and Urhobo—through sports while promoting mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. He explained that the Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup is more than a football compet...

Four PAP Offshore Scholarship Students Make Distinction As 16 Bag Master’s Degrees from UK Varsities •••Otuaro Urges Beneficiaries to Exploit Opportunity Offered By President Tinubu By EgbemaVoice, Four students under the scholarship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme have bagged Distinction in their Masters Degree from universities in the UK. The four with distinction are Nina Orubebe (financial management) Tonbra Tonlagha (international hospitality and tourism), Kemien Egbekun (law) and Simon Douye (construction engineering management). The four students were among sixteen offshore post-graduate scholarship students of the Presidential Amnesty Programme who graduated with master’s degrees from their various universities. The graduates majored in programmes such as software engineering, oil & gas, data science & engineering, financial management, law, construction engineering management, global public health, among others. Already, the successful scholars have ...

SIMILARITIES AND COMMON CHARACTERS OF THE OBA OF BINI SPEAKING PEOPLE AND THE OLU OF IWERE/OLU ITSEKIRI OF ITSEKIRI SPEAKING PEOPLE. 1. Shared ancestry and origin: The first Olu Itsekiri, Olu Ginuwa I ( who actually was a self enthroned king ) was the eldest son of Oba Olua of Bini.who according to history was banished from home for committing adultery with his fathers wives and founded the Jekiri/ Iwere/Itsekiri/ Kingdom, a name which was given to them by the Ijaw speaking people which has metamorphosed from SEIKIRI into what is pronounced as AS ITSEKIRI today. The Olu’s ruling house is therefore described as the Oranmiyan ruling house, the same dynastic line as Bini.Traditional accounts of the Jekiri people also say “The Olu itsekiri is a direct descendant of the Oba of Bini 2. Divine / centralized kingship model: The throne of the Iwere people is copied from the Bini template, the Oba is considered the divine ruler of the bini speaking people while the Olu is treated as ...

SHARP REBUTTAL: Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that choosing him as vice president was his biggest regret. In a statement by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he stood by Obasanjo during his imprisonment, supported his family and helped him rebuild his life after his release. “While Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. When he regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him and ensured he was properly cared for,” Atiku said. He argued that Obasanjo’s criticism stems from his opposition to the former president’s alleged third-term agenda, insisting he has no regrets. “I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I have no apology for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition,” he stated. Atiku said defending the Constitution was more important than personal loyalty and described any resentment over that e...

PRESS RELEASE Ribadu Reassures Of FG's Commitment To Protection Of Lives, Property  ...As Centre Destroys 2,819 Illicit Small Arms In Abuja  By EgbemaVoice, The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the Federal Government and security agencies remain resolutely committed to its constitutional responsibility to secure lives and property in all parts of the country. Ribadu spoke at the public destruction of illicitly acquired, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the General Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja, on Thursday. At the event, approximately 2,819 illicit decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons were destroyed, bringing the cumulative total to 19,000 destroyed since the Centre’s inception. Ribadu, represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, n...

Gunmen k!ll Army colonel for resisting abduction attempt, shoot wife and two others in Nasarawa By EgbemaVoice, A serving Nigerian military intelligence officer Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, has been shot d3ad after reportedly resisting armed men who attempted to abduct him at his residence in Badna, New Karu local govt area of Nasarawa state. The senior officer, who hailed from Enugu State and was said to be due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year, was attacked shortly after arriving at his residence on Monday evening, July 27, 2026. Security sources told PRNigeria that the assailants ambushed the officer as he alighted from his vehicle and opened fire in an apparent attempt to abduct him. Rather than surrender, Colonel Ude reportedly fought back despite being heavily outnumbered, frustrating the kidnappers’ attempt to take him away. According to the sources, the gunmen subsequently shot him multiple times at close range, k!lling him on the spot. During t...

  • As Appeals to Tompolo, Matthew Tonlagha, Kestin Pondi, Jude Ukori, Alhaji Omoko, Lawuru Others to prevail on Gov Oborevwori for Clemency By Joseph Bienbo, Warri An Ijaw man from Egbema Kingdom, Mr. Newman Osia, now known as Pastor Newman Osia, has claimed that he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death over offences he alleges were committed by a relative who closely resembles him. He, however, appealed to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, Engr Matthew Tonlagha, Engr Kestin Pondi, Amb. Jude Ukori, Alhaji Emmmanuel Omoko, Chief Promise Lawuru, INC president, Chief Barr McDonald IGBADIWEI and Others to prevail on the excecutive governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to grant him Clemency. Pastor Osia, an indigene of Ajakurama Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, is currently being held at the Warri Correctional Centre, where he has remained in custody for the past 25 years following his conviction by a court. ...

By EgbemaVoice, Mr. Tempo Mudi, identified as the Protocol Officer to the Delta State Governor, was allegedly attacked and seriously injured during an APC stakeholders' meeting in Delta State. According to reports and videos circulating on social media, Mr. Mudi was assaulted by some youths at the meeting. The footage appears to show a violent confrontation, with individuals allegedly smashing bottles during the attack, leaving the protocol officer with visible injuries. The circumstances that led to the incident remain unclear, and there has been no official statement from the Delta State Government, the Delta State Police Command, or the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the time of this report. EgbemaVoice News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more verified information becomes available.

PBAT 2027: Captain Dan Ekpa Applauds Tompolo's Door-to-Door Campaign for President Tinubu's Re-election By EgbemaVoice News Niger Delta Advocate, Captain Dan Ekpa, has commended High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), popularly known as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Niger Delta and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for spearheading a grassroots door-to-door mobilization campaign in support of the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking in a statement made available to EgbemaVoice News, Captain Dan Ekpa described Tompolo's initiative as a bold demonstration of patriotism, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the unity, peace, and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole. According to him, Tompolo has consistently remained a dependable leader whose influence has contributed significantly to peace, stability, ...

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, MARRIAGE THANKSGIVING SERVICE OF AMB. JUDE UKORI, JP HELD IN GRAND STYLE By EgbemaVoice,  It was a memorable occasion filled with joy, gratitude, and celebration as family members, friends, associates, community leaders, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the birthday and marriage thanksgiving service of Amb. Jude Ukori, JP. The event commenced with a special thanksgiving service, during which prayers of appreciation were offered to God for His faithfulness, protection, and abundant blessings upon Amb. Jude Ukori, JP, his spouse, and their family. The congregation also prayed for continued good health, divine wisdom, a peaceful and successful marriage, and greater accomplishments in the years ahead. The colourful celebration attracted dignitaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders, associates, and well-wishers from different walks of life, who joined the celebrant in marking the dual occasion. Guests described Amb. Jude Ukori, JP, as a humble, dedicate...

By EgbemaVoice, Niger Delta born renowned environmental rights activist and development advocate, Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has called on governors of the Niger Delta states to take pragmatic measures to mitigate the impact of the impending flooding forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), warning that failure to act proactively could result in devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences. Mulade, in a statement on Monday, expressed concern over what he described as the persistent neglect of citizens' welfare by political leaders, lamenting that many public office holders appear to prioritise personal ambitions and parochial political interests above their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), noted that the recurring flood disasters across the Niger Delta have continued to inflict severe hardship on residents, st...

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO DR. DOUBRA COLLINS OKOTETE ON HIS EMERGENCE AS THE 10TH PRESIDENT OF THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL WORLDWIDE The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) heartily congratulates Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete on his emergence as the 10th President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide. Your election is a clear demonstration of the confidence reposed in your leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Ijaw nation. We are confident that your wealth of experience, passion for youth development and dedication to service will usher in a new era of purposeful leadership for the Council. As the foremost body of Ijaw media owners and publishers, the Ijaw Publishers Forum recognises the strategic role of the IYC in promoting peace, unity, sustainable development and the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people.  We therefore look forward to working closely with your administration in amplifying initiatives that promote good governance, youth empo...

Niger Delta Coalition Alleges ₦3.16bn PAP 'Ghost-Name' Fraud, Backs Otuaro's Reforms, Demands Security Crackdown, By EgbemaVoice News A coalition of Niger Delta peace advocates and development stakeholders has issued a strongly worded communiqué expressing support for the ongoing reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under its Administrator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, while making a series of allegations against some individuals over the administration of the programme. Addressing journalists at the Arogbo Civil Centre in Arogbo, Ondo State, the coalition described recent protests over stipend payments as attempts to undermine peace and the reform agenda of the PAP. It maintained that the monthly ₦65,000 stipend was designed as a temporary reintegration allowance rather than a permanent entitlement, and rejected calls for any upward review. The coalition commended Dr. Otuaro for prioritizing education and human capital develop...

This is B.S.L.N. 148 of 1979 — an Extraordinary Gazette of the old Bendel State Government. TITLE: TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS EDICT, 1979 Subject: Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to the Title of AGADAGBA OF EGBEMA  Dated: 28th day of September, 1979, Benin City Signed: D. P. Lawani, O.O.N., J.P., Secretary to the Military Government, Bendel State of Nigeria KEY POINTS OF THE DECLARATION The Four Ruling Villages of Egbema There are four villages in Egbema that are recognized for succession: Jamagie/Abadigbene Ajakurama Opuama/Polobubor Ogbudugbudu Succession to the Agadagba stool rotates among the four villages in the exact order listed above. Qualification of a Candidate To qualify, a candidate must be a male descendant of an Egbema father, and a non-Egbema mother.  . The selection of candidates is by consensus of representatives from all four villages at a meeting summoned for that purpose. The meeting must be presided over by the oldest man, called the ...