Ozobo Begins Second Term as IPF President, Calls for Unity and Boro’s Portrait in Every Ijaw Home
Comrade Ozobo Austin has been sworn in for a second term as President of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), using the occasion to advocate unity, mutual respect among Ijaw youths, and renewed reverence for Niger Delta hero, Jasper Adaka Boro.
The inauguration ceremony took place at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground in Warri, Delta State, drawing a broad spectrum of stakeholders from across the Niger Delta. Among those in attendance were the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro; National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Amb. Dr. Sheriff Mulade; and spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP).
Also present were community leaders, youth representatives, women groups, civil society actors, trade union members, business leaders, media practitioners, and delegates connected to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
In his acceptance address, Ozobo pledged to uphold the core principles of the IPF while steering the organisation toward greater institutional growth and relevance.
He stressed the need for inclusive leadership within the Ijaw Nation, cautioning against division and political exclusion.
“This is not a time for divisive governance. It is a time to embrace inclusive leadership that carries everyone along,” he stated.
Addressing Ijaw youths directly, the IPF President urged them to cultivate humility, discipline, and mutual respect, warning that sudden access to wealth or influence should not breed arrogance or internal rivalry.
Outlining his roadmap for the next two years, Ozobo disclosed plans to strengthen the Forum’s operational capacity. Key proposals include the construction of a permanent secretariat, the establishment of a printing press, and the launch of indigenous Ijaw radio and television platforms aimed at amplifying the voice and culture of the Ijaw people.
He called on sons and daughters of Ijaw land, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the Forum’s mission of promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.
A major highlight of his speech was a renewed call to immortalise Jasper Adaka Boro, whom he described as a foundational figure in the Niger Delta struggle.
Ozobo urged that Boro’s legacy should transcend ceremonial remembrance, advocating that his portrait be displayed in homes across Ijaw communities as a symbol of identity, sacrifice, and collective history.
He emphasised that honouring Boro should not be limited to youth-focused events but embraced as a unifying heritage for all generations of Ijaw people.
The IPF President expressed gratitude to individuals and leaders who supported his re-election bid morally and financially, acknowledging their role in sustaining the Forum’s vision.
The event concluded with renewed pledges from members of the executive committee to work collaboratively in advancing the interests of the Ijaw Nation and strengthening media advocacy within the region.
