The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the people of the Niger Delta to embrace 2026 with renewed commitment to peace, unity and sustainable development, describing the new year as a fresh opportunity to deepen progress across the South-South region.
In a New Year message signed by its National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, PANDEF expressed gratitude to God for the gift of 2026 and commended the resilience of the people of the Niger Delta throughout 2025.
“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,” the statement said.
The forum also extended goodwill to political leaders, traditional rulers, faith leaders and development institutions across the region, with special recognition for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), praising their roles in advancing development efforts.
According to PANDEF, the new year represents “another significant epoch for the Niger Delta,” offering renewed prospects to strengthen the region’s position as a hub of national progress. It stressed that such progress must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the people, particularly in healthcare, education, women and youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and environmental remediation after decades of oil pollution.
The group noted that the region has recorded relative peace and improved security across states including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo, adding that Rivers State has also witnessed notable progress after the lifting of the state of emergency.
“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,” PANDEF stated.
It called on stakeholders and residents to intensify efforts to preserve the prevailing peace and respond promptly to any emerging threats, noting that sustained security remains critical to social and economic advancement.
PANDEF further urged the people of the Niger Delta to remain steadfast in faith, acknowledging the region’s historic role as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy, while drawing inspiration from the Scriptures.
“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,’” the statement added.
The forum concluded by wishing the people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians at large a peaceful and prosperous new year, expressing optimism that 2026 will usher in a new dawn of peace and development for the region.