By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

The Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, has inaugurated an eight-man national executive to run its affairs in the next two years.

The inaugural ceremony, held at the Tunde Smooth Playground, Warri, Delta State, yesterday, was attended by political bigwigs, traditional rulers and professionals from various endeavours.

Igho Ogedegbe Esq, who administered the oath of office on the executive, applauded the forum for its aims and objectives.

Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Ltd, High Chief (Engr ) Keston Pondi, in his remark congratulated the newly inaugurated IPF on their emergence.

Pondi, represented by the head of Tantita in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua McCaiver, urged the IPF executive to use their platform to encourage the education of Izon youths as well as promote the Izon cultural heritage of the people.

Pondi, honoured as patron of IPF, urged the forum to always crosscheck records before filing any news story with balance reporting to avoid controversies and litigations.

In his inaugural speech, IPF National President, Comrade Austin Ozobo, promised to run an open-door policy.

Ozobo, who is the publisher of Congress Newspaper, said: “I will embrace team work, I will work building a strong Ijaw owned mainstream media. We’ll undertake school outreach programmes, seminars, workshop, conferences and many more to create awareness campaigns.

“I will maintain accountability, integrity and trust among members of the IPF and the general public.”

Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, however, congratulated the IPF for their emergence. Otuaro, who was named by the IPF as grand patron, said the IPF was long overdue, stressing it would help in telling the story of the Izon people in the right perspective.

He also assured the forum of the needed support from the Izon nation, stressing: “you have our blessings and we’ll support you from behind the scene.”

The 1st Vice chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, HRM. Pere Kalanama VIII, JP, in his remark charged the forum to be accountable in their affairs and urged members to collaborate with their leader with a view to moving the forum to an enviable height.

However, members of the newly inaugurated committee includes Comrade Austin Ozobo (President), Comrade Onduku Oyinbi, (Vice President), Comrade Magbei Tare (Secretary), Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala (Public Relations Officer) as Comrade Mingo Friday as treasurer.

Others include Comrade Ugedi Mike (Financial Secretary), Mr. Francis Abai (Chief Research Officer) and Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro Clinton Bibaikefie as Assistant Public Relations Officer.