By Bobby Oshoke
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged citizens of the South-South geopolitical zone to prepare for a new era of peace and development as the region marks the beginning of 2026.
In a New Year statement, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, expressed gratitude to God for the gift of a new year and thanked the people of the region for their resilience in 2025.
Igali highlighted the region’s progress in healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development, crediting the relative peace and improved security in the region.
He emphasized the need to sustain this peace and address potential threats, stating that social and economic advancement depends on collaboration in building and sustaining peace and security.
Igali cited the improved situation in Rivers State, previously under state of emergency, as an example of progress.
He urged citizens to remain faithful and draw guidance from the Scriptures, quoting Psalms 60:12, “With God we shall gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.”
See full statement below:
LET US PREPARE FOR A NEW DAWN OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
joins the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria in giving thanks to God Almighty for the grace of a New Year. PANDEF also extends warm
As we step into the year 2026, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) joins the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria in giving thanks to God Almighty for the grace of a New Year. PANDEF also extends warm felicitations to our political leaders, traditional rulers, faith leaders, development agencies, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and South-South Development Commission (SSDC); and indeed all our people, for their steadfast faith in God and remarkable resilience throughout 2025, which has brought our region this far.
PANDEF recognizes that the New Year marks another significant epoch for the Niger Delta, one that presents renewed opportunities to consolidate and sustain our leading role as a zone of transformative progress within the country. This progress must continue to reflect in the improved welfare of our people, particularly in healthcare and education, the empowerment of women and youth, accelerated physical and infrastructural development, and the long-overdue remediation of our environment after decades of oil pollution.
Across the region, from Akwa Ibom to Bayelsa, and through Cross River, Delta, and Edo States, we have witnessed relative peace and improved security. Even the unfortunate days of the state of emergency in Rivers State have, thankfully, become a thing of the past, with the state now recording unprecedented progress. It is therefore imperative that we all redouble our efforts to sustain this peace and collectively address, in a timely manner, any threats or breaches that may arise. Undoubtedly, greater social and economic advancement will follow through closer collaboration in building and sustaining peace and security.
As we move forward, let our faith in God Almighty, whose benevolence has placed our region as a leading contributor to the national economy for decades, remain resolute and strengthened. Let us continue to draw guidance from the Scriptures, as stated in Psalms 60:12: *“With God we shall gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.”*
Happy New Year to the dear people of the Niger Delta and to Nigeria at large.
Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON
National Chairman
