By Emmanuel Enebeli
KWALE/Nigeria: Stakeholders and dignitaries across Delta State have lauded the Ndokwa Vanguard Newspaper for its two decades of consistent service to the Ndokwa Nation, describing the publication as a symbol of resilience, excellence, and cultural preservation. The 20th-anniversary celebration, themed “Preserving the Past, Empowering the Future,” became a rallying point for unity, intellectual growth, and the reaffirmation of Ndokwa identity.
In his keynote address, the Publisher of Ndokwa Vanguard, Uncle Alaska Ekele, reflected on the newspaper’s 20-year journey, describing it as one built on passion, perseverance, and purpose. He said the paper was founded from a deep desire to give the Ndokwa people a voice at a time when community journalism was largely neglected in Nigeria. “When this dream started, there was no community newspaper speaking for our people. I saw a vacuum that could lead to marginalization, so I decided to fill it,” he said.
Ekele acknowledged the numerous challenges faced in sustaining the publication, from declining reading culture to scarce resources, but maintained that his love for Ndokwa land kept him focused. He announced the establishment of the ₦145 million Ndokwa Research and Documentation Centre, designed to serve as a hub for scholars, writers, and historians to document the true identity and heritage of the Ndokwa people. “This centre will ensure that future generations understand where we came from and who we are,” he said.
Guest Speaker, Chief Sidney Ufeli, a veteran broadcaster with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), delivered a thought-provoking lecture urging Ndokwa youths to embrace education, patience, and discipline rather than the rising “get-rich-quick” syndrome. “Our heritage is not in titles or lands but in the quality of minds we raise,” Ufeli said, stressing that moral reawakening, mentorship, and responsible parenting remain crucial to rebuilding the moral fabric of society.
The President of the Association of Ndokwa Professionals in Academia (ANPA) and 2023 Labour Party Deputy Governorship Candidate, Professor Julie Umukoro, commended Ndokwa Vanguard for its enduring contribution to the growth and visibility of the Ndokwa Nation. She described the newly launched research centre as “a noble and visionary project that aligns with ANPA’s mission to document, preserve, and promote Ndokwa intellectual heritage.”
Professor Umukoro pledged ANPA’s financial and institutional support for the project, announcing that the association, with members across Nigeria and the diaspora, would adopt it as one of its flagship initiatives. She called on the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) to give the project institutional backing and urged the organisers to create a trust fund for its sustainability.
Similarly, the Head of the Department of Theatre Arts at Delta State University, Abraka, commended Ekele for his steadfastness in promoting indigenous journalism and giving the Ndokwa people a strong media voice. He described Ndokwa Vanguard as a vital communication platform and urged greater support for community-based journalism. “Running a community newspaper in Nigeria is not easy, but Alaska Ekele has shown courage and vision. We must rally behind him to sustain this voice of Ndokwa,” he said.
In his contribution, Okwa, Barr. C.I. Egwuenu, represented by Chief Samuel Okom, lamented the erosion of Ndokwa cultural values and language, urging a total revival of the people’s traditional heritage. He emphasized that no nation abandons its culture, regardless of religious or social influences, and called on Ndokwa families to uphold their ancestral identity.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the Ndokwa Media Professionals Forum (NMPF) applauded Ndokwa Vanguard for its unwavering dedication to community journalism and for amplifying the voice of the Ndokwa people over the past two decades. Speaking on behalf of the Forum, its Chairman, Mr. Bartholomew Ozah, a seasoned journalist and media development advocate, described the newspaper’s journey as a remarkable testament to resilience, vision, and service to humanity.
“Publishing a newspaper for two decades is no small task,” Ozah said to the applause of participants. “When you pick up a newspaper, it’s not just paper, it represents sacrifice, professionalism, and hard work. What Ndokwa Vanguard has done is worthy of celebration and support.”
He emphasized that the vision of the publication remains as relevant today as it was 20 years ago, saying the newspaper has chronicled the struggles, progress, and aspirations of the Ndokwa Nation. Ozah, however, lamented that the Ndokwa people have yet to fully embrace the paper as their collective voice. “Our political class and community leaders must see Ndokwa Vanguard as their own. The press reflects the community it serves,” he said.
Highlighting the power of the media, Ozah quoted Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” He urged Ndokwa leaders to leverage the power of the press in driving development and shaping policy.
Ozah also clarified misconceptions about journalism in the digital age, explaining that professionalism goes beyond social media commentary. “Not everyone who posts on social media is a journalist. Journalism requires training — at least a diploma in Mass Communication or Journalism. That’s what separates professionals from commentators,” he said.
While commending the management of Ndokwa Vanguard for coupling its anniversary celebration with the launch of the Research and Documentation Centre, Ozah described the move as a strategic step toward institutionalizing Ndokwa’s historical preservation and advancing research-based journalism.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Agaga Akpati, represented by Chief Anslem Nzete, praised the organisers for their consistency and urged Ndokwa media professionals to reshape the region’s narrative through positive and developmental reportage.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of Distinguished Leadership Awards to outstanding sons and daughters of Ndokwa land, including the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, who received the Good Governance Icon of the Year Award, and Hon. Charles Emetulu, member representing Ndokwa West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, who was honoured as Legislative Icon of the Year.
The 20th anniversary celebration of Ndokwa Vanguard thus stood as more than a journalistic milestone, it became a powerful statement of heritage, unity, and renewal. Through its new phase, marked by the establishment of the Research and Documentation Centre, the newspaper reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the past while empowering future generations.
