News
Otuaro Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Safeguard Niger Delta Resources at Ijaw Media Conference
By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has called for stronger collaboration among government, host communities, oil companies and the media to safeguard the Niger Delta’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development for future generations.
Otuaro made the call on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State, while chairing the 2025 Ijaw Media Conference organized by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) at the KFT Event Centre. The conference was held under the theme “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
According to Otuaro, the protection of the Niger Delta environment requires a collective approach that places responsibility on all stakeholders, stressing that no single group can successfully address the challenges of environmental degradation, oil theft and insecurity in the region alone.
He noted that the emergence of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum has played a significant role in correcting years of distorted reportage of Ijaw history and struggle by foreign and biased media. Otuaro said the Ijaw story had been misrepresented for decades, but with the intervention of indigenous media platforms, the narrative is gradually changing for the better.
While commending IPF for its efforts, the Amnesty Programme Administrator challenged Ijaw media practitioners to remain objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage.
He stressed that credible journalism is essential in correcting long-standing misconceptions and ensuring that the true story of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw people is properly told.
Otuaro also admonished members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to see themselves as brothers, urging them to embrace unity and mutual love in the discharge of their professional duties in order to achieve their collective goals.
The conference attracted media executives, political leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders and other stakeholders from across the Niger Delta.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, President of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), while the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, served as Special Guest of Honour and was represented by Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba.
In his remarks, IPF President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, said the conference was aimed at deepening public discourse on natural resource protection and reinforcing the media’s role in advocacy for environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
The event featured panel discussions and interactive sessions on environmental protection, resource security and sustainable development, as the IPF reaffirmed its commitment to using the media to promote accountability and a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Niger Delta.
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has called for stronger collaboration among government, host communities, oil companies and the media to safeguard the Niger Delta’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development for future generations.
Otuaro made the call on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State, while chairing the 2025 Ijaw Media Conference organized by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) at the KFT Event Centre. The conference was held under the theme “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
According to Otuaro, the protection of the Niger Delta environment requires a collective approach that places responsibility on all stakeholders, stressing that no single group can successfully address the challenges of environmental degradation, oil theft and insecurity in the region alone.
He noted that the emergence of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum has played a significant role in correcting years of distorted reportage of Ijaw history and struggle by foreign and biased media. Otuaro said the Ijaw story had been misrepresented for decades, but with the intervention of indigenous media platforms, the narrative is gradually changing for the better.
While commending IPF for its efforts, the Amnesty Programme Administrator challenged Ijaw media practitioners to remain objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage.
He stressed that credible journalism is essential in correcting long-standing misconceptions and ensuring that the true story of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw people is properly told.
Otuaro also admonished members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to see themselves as brothers, urging them to embrace unity and mutual love in the discharge of their professional duties in order to achieve their collective goals.
The conference attracted media executives, political leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders and other stakeholders from across the Niger Delta.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, President of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), while the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, served as Special Guest of Honour and was represented by Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba.
In his remarks, IPF President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, said the conference was aimed at deepening public discourse on natural resource protection and reinforcing the media’s role in advocacy for environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
The event featured panel discussions and interactive sessions on environmental protection, resource security and sustainable development, as the IPF reaffirmed its commitment to using the media to promote accountability and a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Niger Delta.
