By Esther Eugene, Warri
Southern Nigeria of the Ijaw ethnic extraction media practitioners in the country have established a special media organization, otherwise known as Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) to give a special reportage to the Ijaw.oil bearing riverine communities, that suffer untold hardship in the midst of oil and Gas wealth.
The group national President Comrade Austin Ozobo disclosed in a press release with two days to IPF formal inauguration in Warri, said,
”IPF was established to give accurate reportage to the Ijaw marginalized oil bearing communities in Niger Delta who have suffered untold hardship in the midst of abundance.
”Ijaw Publishers Forum by this press release also invite the general public to honour and celebrate with us during our inauguration of the pioneer executive Council on 29th February, 2024 at the popular Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, NPA, Warri, Delta state.
”IPF is an indigenous publishers association drawn from Ijaw speaking journalists who are media executives practicing journalism in the country over the years.
”The Ijaw media Council is a sister body of the Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) with similar goals and modus operadi, such as media ethics and professional conducts, except on Ijaw agenda”he stated.
Continuing, ”IPF was established to give accurate reportage to the Ijaw marginalized oil bearing communities in Niger Delta who have suffered untold hardship in the midst of abundance.
”It is an independent trade organization with no political affiliation or ideological disposition. IPF is founded in the underlying belief that speaking with one voice as a professional body it can push for the interest of its members particularly in the areas of working conditions and rights: freedom of expression, safety, job security and fair remuneration, gender equality, freedom of association, copyright protection and fight against all forms of discrimination and suppression.
”IPF is also meant to organize and supports campaigns aimed at protecting journalists’ rights and strengthening collective interest, and above all, enhance free press in the country and the world.” he added.