Nembe Monarch Appoints Veteran Journalist Pope Pen as Media Chief, Tasks Him With Kingdom’s Image

The Amanyanabo of Nembe, His Eminence King Dr Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru, Mingi XII, has endorsed veteran journalist and author Mingi-Yai Nengi Josef Owei-ilagha, popularly known as Pope Pen, as Media Chief to the Mingi-In-Council, placing his extensive media and public communication experience at the centre of the kingdom’s image management.

The monarch’s endorsement was conveyed through Chief Moses Solomon-Ockiya, Alternate Chairman of the Nembe Chiefs Council, who described Owei-ilagha as a fitting choice for the sensitive communications role.

According to the statement, Owei-ilagha’s longstanding career in journalism and his achievements as an author have brought recognition and honour to Nembe, making his professional experience an asset to the traditional institution.

The appointment is expected to strengthen the kingdom’s communication machinery and provide a more coordinated platform for projecting its activities, interests and aspirations to the wider public.

Chief Bright Erewari-Igbeta, Chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, separately applauded the choice, describing Pope Pen’s professional background as valuable to the kingdom’s efforts to manage its public image and communicate its position on critical issues.

Igbeta also called for peace, unity and collective responsibility among stakeholders, stressing the importance of Nembe speaking with one voice in pursuing the overall interests of the kingdom.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a recent social media post by Gabriel Jonah of the Otita Movement, which raised concerns over the need for oil and gas revenues accruing from the kingdom’s resources to be applied to purposes that are transparent, accountable and capable of verification.

The oil and gas debate has added further importance to effective communication and stakeholder engagement, particularly as traditional institutions and community groups seek to articulate their interests on resource management and development.

Owei-ilagha is bringing substantial experience to his new assignment. He previously served as Speech Writer and Special Adviser on Research and Documentation to two former governors of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, over a combined seven-year period.

Beyond his public service experience, Pope Pen is a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and has authored more than 40 books, establishing a significant record in journalism, literature, research and professional writing.

His emergence as Media Chief to the Mingi-In-Council places a veteran communicator at the heart of Nembe’s public information strategy, with expectations that his experience will help strengthen the kingdom’s media engagement and promote its image at both local and wider levels.