By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A media group, the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have called for an end to deforestation and the reckless exploitation of forest resources in the Niger Delta, warning that continued environmental degradation poses a grave threat to the livelihoods and future of the region.
The call was made on Wednesday at a media conference organised by the IPF at the KFT Event Centre, Warri, Delta State.
Members of the IPF
Addressing participants, the National President of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, Comrade Ozobo Austin, stressed that it is the collective responsibility of all Niger Deltans to preserve the region’s natural resources and environment for generations yet unborn.
He emphasised the urgent need to halt oil theft and environmental pollution, which he said have severely undermined fishing and farming—the primary sources of livelihood for many communities in the Niger Delta.
Comrade Austin also reiterated the call for an end to deforestation and the reckless exploitation of forest resources, noting that the region’s natural endowments represent its future and that the environment remains its true wealth.
According to him, pollution not only degrades the environment but also reduces life expectancy.
Dignitaries at the event
He further explained that crude oil theft and pipeline sabotage amount to stealing the collective wealth of the region, thereby worsening poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities.
The IPF president added that the message was particularly directed at both international and indigenous oil companies, urging their management to desist from exploitation and deliberate environmental pollution if the well-being of Niger Delta communities is to be genuinely prioritised.
“Though we have resource persons who will do justice to these issues, the emphasis here is that we must protect our natural resources and our environment for future generations. We must stop oil theft and environmental pollution, which have destroyed fishing and farming activities in our region.
“We must also put an end to deforestation and the waste of forest resources. Our resources are our future. Our environment is our wealth. Pollution does not only affect our environment; it shortens our lifespan.
“Stealing crude oil or sabotaging pipelines is tantamount to stealing our collective wealth, inevitably creating poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities. This message largely concerns oil exploration companies. Both international and indigenous oil company management must stop exploitation and deliberate environmental pollution if our well-being is to be prioritised,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) called on governments at all levels to urgently revive scholarship and bursary schemes for youths in the Niger Delta, stressing that education remains the strongest tool for securing the region’s future and protecting its natural resources.
Amb. Godknows Igali
The Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, made the call at the same media conference, urging sustained advocacy to compel governments to prioritise education.
Ambassador Igali emphasised that knowledge drives development globally and that massive investment in education is the surest way to guarantee the future of coming generations in the Niger Delta, lamenting the steady decline of government-funded scholarships and bursaries across the region.
According to him, governments must be pressured to reintroduce scholarships and train young people across diverse disciplines, including sponsorship to top institutions around the world.
“We must place emphasis on education. The way to secure the future of our generation is through education. Knowledge drives the world. Education is the most powerful tool for change. We must massively educate our people.
“We must give scholarships. Governments are no longer doing so. We must pressure our governments to train people in different areas and send them to the best institutions globally. Education is our future. Why are our states no longer giving bursaries and scholarships?
“The way to secure our future and protect our natural resources is education. It should be given priority—at least 20 per cent of the budget,” he said.
He further advocated that a minimum of 20 per cent of state budgets be allocated to education, noting that education is also critical to safeguarding natural resources and ensuring long-term development.
Igali
The PANDEF chairman also called for unity among ethnic and regional groups in the Niger Delta, stressing that the region’s coastal communities and abundant resources must be preserved for families and future generations.
Igali noted that the Niger Delta has sustained Nigeria’s economy for decades through oil and gas production, yet continues to grapple with widespread poverty, insisting that the region should not be in its present condition considering the enormous wealth derived from its land.
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He maintained that oil and gas would continue to keep the Niger Delta relevant for years to come, adding that peace must be sustained to attract investment.
On environmental concerns, Igali described the Niger Delta as one of the most polluted regions in the world and called for consistent environmental remediation, including annual budgetary allocations for clean-up efforts across all Niger Delta states.
He also decried poor infrastructure, particularly bad roads, and called for stronger local participation in the oil and gas sector, including dedicated funding for modular refineries and inclusive policies that carry Niger Delta communities along.
Igali further urged governments to diversify development by reviving ports across the region and promoting agriculture, noting that the Niger Delta possesses some of the most fertile soil in Nigeria.
“There is a need for unity among the various groups. We occupy vast coastal areas, and the resources bestowed on us must be preserved for our families and generations to come.
“The Niger Delta people have kept Nigeria’s economy running for decades. We must therefore discuss how these resources can work for us. Despite the enormous wealth from our land, poverty remains widespread.
“We must continue to advocate peace because without peace, investment cannot thrive.
“The Niger Delta is one of the most polluted environments in the world. Remediation must be continuous, with yearly budgetary provisions for clean-up. We cannot produce the nation’s wealth and yet struggle with bad roads and poor infrastructure.
“There must be stronger participation of Niger Delta people in the oil and gas industry, funding for modular refineries, and policies that truly carry our people along.
“Governments must also develop other sectors such as ports and agriculture. Our soil is among the most fertile in Nigeria. We must promote agriculture,” he added.
Speaking after, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Udengs Eradiri, said Niger Deltans must take ownership of their narratives, stressing that no one would tell their stories better than they could themselves.
Eradiri, sitting first from left
Eradiri said platforms such as the Ijaw Publishers Forum provide opportunities for coordination, interaction and the protection of Ijaw interests, noting that the forum exists to write and rewrite the true stories of the Ijaw people.
He cited statistics indicating a reduction in kidnapping during the Christmas season in the Niger Delta, attributing the improvement to youth engagement initiatives, particularly those associated with Tompolo.
The former IYC president also commended successive leaders of the Amnesty Programme up to Chief Dennis Bururu Otuaro, noting that the current administration is prioritising education, while cautioning that training programmes must be strategic and forward-looking.
He warned that the Amnesty Programme may not extend beyond 2031 and urged youths to maximise existing opportunities, especially as major investments such as ports come on stream.
Eradiri further highlighted emerging fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence, calling for youth training aligned with global trends, while expressing concern over security challenges in Ijaw land.
Ijaw women at the conference
Also speaking, the Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council, Ambassador Binebai Yerin Princewill, who represented the Administrator of the Amnesty Programme, Chief Dennis Bururu Otuaro, commended the Ijaw Publishers Forum for promoting professionalism in journalism.
Princewill said the theme of the programme underscored the importance of the media and urged Ijaw journalists to uphold objective, truthful and factual reporting, while avoiding negative journalism capable of damaging the image of the Ijaw nation.
He added that while leaders must be held accountable, internal mechanisms should be explored to address shortcomings rather than public condemnation, charging the IPF to continue protecting the image and interests of the Ijaw people through responsible journalism.
“We recognise the importance of the media, and that is why we commend the IPF—a body of media practitioners organising themselves to protect the image of the Ijaw nation.
“We must practise progressive journalism—objective, truthful, factual and accurate reporting. Let us avoid subjective and negative journalism that could be detrimental to our people.
“I charge the IPF to continue upholding these sacred principles of journalism so that the Ijaw nation is protected. If our leaders fall short, we should address them internally rather than washing our dirty linen in public,” he said.
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