{"id":5249,"date":"2026-01-02T18:23:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T18:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/2026-let-us-prepare-for-a-new-dawn-of-peace-and-development___pandef-national-chairman-amb-godknows-igali-charge-people-of-south-south\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T18:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T18:23:40","slug":"2026-let-us-prepare-for-a-new-dawn-of-peace-and-development___pandef-national-chairman-amb-godknows-igali-charge-people-of-south-south","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/2026-let-us-prepare-for-a-new-dawn-of-peace-and-development___pandef-national-chairman-amb-godknows-igali-charge-people-of-south-south\/","title":{"rendered":"2026: \u201cLet Us Prepare For A New Dawn Of Peace And Development\u201d___PANDEF National Chairman Amb. Godknows Igali Charge People Of South-South"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Freeborn Abraye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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: <em>\u201cWith God we shall gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Happy New Year to the dear people of the Niger Delta and to Nigeria at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON<br>National Chairman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freeborn Abraye As we step into the year 2026, the Pan Niger Delta Forum&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"2026: \u201cLet Us Prepare For A New Dawn Of Peace And Development\u201d___PANDEF National Chairman Amb. Godknows Igali Charge People Of South-South","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/75418687-036f-49fb-a4d1-68d36f549f70.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5325,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/pandef-congratulates-rivers-state-governor-siminalayi-fubara-former-bayelsa-governor-sen-henry-seriake-dickson-on-their-birth-anniversaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":0},"title":"PANDEF Congratulates Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Former Bayelsa Governor, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson On Their Birth Anniversaries","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR SIMINALAYI FUBARA AT 51 YEARS AND FORMER GOVERNOR (SENATOR) SERIAKE DICKSON AT 60 YEARS. Today, the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), join the national chorus to celebrate two of its very illustrious citizens, Governor Siminalayi\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5279,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/rivers-politics-pandef-inaugurates-peace-and-reconciliation-committee-to-tackle-political-crisis-in-rivers-state\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":1},"title":"RIVERS POLITICS: PANDEF Inaugurates Peace And Reconciliation Committee To Tackle Political Crisis In Rivers State","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee in Abuja to address the lingering political crisis in Rivers State and forestall further escalation of tensions. The committee, constituted by the apex socio-political body of the South-South, is mandated to engage all parties\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5273,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/just-in-pandef-calls-for-restraint-and-mutual-forbearance-in-rivers-state-sets-up-high-level-chief-kanu-agabi-reconciliation-committee\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":2},"title":"JUST IN: PANDEF Calls For Restraint And Mutual Forbearance In Rivers State, Sets Up High-Level Chief Kanu Agabi Reconciliation Committee","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body representing the people of the South-South geopolitical zone, notes with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State. Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5445,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/02\/15\/pandef-national-chairman-amb-boladei-igali-sends-good-will-message-to-bayelsa-state-governor-douye-diri-on-the-6th-year-anniversary-of-his-government\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":3},"title":"PANDEF National Chairman, Amb. Boladei Igali Sends Good-Will Message To Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri On The 6th Year Anniversary Of His Government","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"February 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye My dear brother and Excellency, Douye Diri, on this special day when the entire world is celebrating love and appreciation, I specially salute you and thank God for the 6th Anniversary of your mandate as Governor of Bayelsa State and leader of the South-South people. Your imprint\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":628,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/10\/05\/2023-presidency-inc-pandef-states-position-vows-to-resist-zoning-to-north\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":4},"title":"2023 PRESIDENCY: INC, PANDEF States Position, Vows To Resist Zoning To North","author":"Coastal Times","date":"October 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News The Pan Delta Forum, PANDEF, and the Ijaw National Congress, INC, among other coalitions in the Niger Delta have\u00a0vowed to resist any attempt to zone the 2023 Presidency to the North. The groups reiterated that there is an agreement on zoning\u00a0the Presidency between North and South for eight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211005-164754_fotogrid-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C656&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211005-164754_fotogrid-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C656&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211005-164754_fotogrid-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C656&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211005-164754_fotogrid-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C656&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211005-164754_fotogrid-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C656&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3489,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/02\/18\/pa-clarks-contribution-to-nation-building-enormous__pap-boss-otuaro\/","url_meta":{"origin":5249,"position":5},"title":"PAP Boss Otuaro Weeps Over Death Of Ijaw Elder-Statesman Pa Clark, Says His Contributions To Nation Building Enormous","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"February 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of elder statesman and foremost leader of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and the South-South region, Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. Otuaro described the demise of Clark at the age of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_3977-1.webp?fit=869%2C735&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_3977-1.webp?fit=869%2C735&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_3977-1.webp?fit=869%2C735&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_3977-1.webp?fit=869%2C735&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1mF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}