– By Patrick Ochei
Ike Abiagom, Chairman, Association of Community Newspaper Publishers, ACNPN, Delta State Chapter (left) and Sir. Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, SSA to the Delta State Governor on Community Newspapers (r)
Community Newspaper Publishers under the aegis of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Delta State Chapter have resolved their lingering crisis.
In an extraordinary meeting of the group, Wednesday 11th February, 2026, in Asaba, Delta State, members decided to put their disputes to rest in a dramatic move by the Chairman of the Association and publisher of Newsbreeze, Comrade Ike Abiagom and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Community Newspapers and publisher of Delta Guide, Sir Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye agreeing to shield their swords to work together in the interest of the Association.
In their separate speeches, both the Chairman and the SSA underscored the need for members of the Association to close ranks, work together to reinvent the relevance of the group in the scheme of things, as well as help to foster the existing peace in the State through adequate dissemination of the MORE policies and programmes of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
They both apologized for any wrongs done in the event of making decisions regarding their separate offices, and therefore pledged never to set the Association backward as a result of needless fights and power struggles.
Some of the founding members like the publisher of Warri Voice, Mr. Femi Odonmeta, publisher of Urhobo Times, Chief Daniel Ekiugbo, publisher of Ijaw Voice, Pastor Preye Foh, publisher of Anioma Trust, Comrade Patrick Ochei and publisher of National Trumpet, Prince Charles Umejei who were critical factors to the resolution of the crisis, respectively spoke on the need to forge a common front under the leadership of Comrade Ike Abiagom as Chairman of ACNPN.
Members of the ACNPN Delta State
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Comrade Ike Abiagom commended every stakeholder who played one role or the other in steering a permanent peace and unity in the Association, affirming his resolve and that of the Exco to support the SSA on Community Newspapers in realizing the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for Deltans.
In furtherance of the commendation, Prince Charles Umejei, publisher of the National Trumpet moved a motion for a vote of confidence on the SSA on Community Newspapers, Sir Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye for his tireless effort to build a cordial working relationship between Publishers and Government, as well as his sterling leadership quality that has reignited peace in the Association; and the motion was duly seconded by the publisher of the Informant Newspaper, Prince Godwin Obaigbena.