As Ndokwa Reporters celebrates 12 years of community-focused journalism, its publishers, Bel Media Consult Limited, have announced the launch of BEL DIALOGUE—an annual civic engagement platform aimed at addressing critical development challenges through participatory dialogue.

The anniversary event and official launch are scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Top View Hotel, Okpanam Road, Asaba, starting at 11:00 a.m. The event will bring together policymakers, traditional leaders, civil society actors, and development experts for solution-focused conversations.

The maiden edition of BEL DIALOGUE will focus on the theme: “Development or Displacement: Understanding the Cost of Unregulated Land Acquisition in Our Communities — The Role of Government and Traditional Institutions in Safeguarding Community Lands.” The theme was carefully selected in response to the growing threat posed by unregulated real estate expansion, particularly the encroachment on communal farmlands and the impact on food security, livelihoods, and social stability.

In a statement signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bel Media Consult Limited, Emmanuel Enebeli, MNIPR, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to driving public interest journalism and participatory governance. According to the statement, BEL DIALOGUE is envisioned as a platform that will annually bring together a wide range of voices to interrogate policies and co-create solutions that support sustainable and inclusive development.

“For over a decade, Ndokwa Reporters has remained steadfast in promoting the values of responsible journalism and community development. With BEL DIALOGUE, we are extending that mission beyond news reporting , by creating a civic space where concerns can be raised, ideas exchanged, and solutions crafted in a collaborative environment,” the statement noted.

The Chairman of the occasion, lead discussants, and other key participants are expected to be formally unveiled in the coming days as preparations intensify for the event.

Founded on May 3, 2013, Ndokwa Reporters was initially published under a sister company, Syncoms Integrated Services. Though originally conceived as an online-only news platform, and one of the earliest in Delta State, particularly within the Ndokwa Nation, the paper briefly introduced hardcopy editions in response to high local demand and accessibility needs. Throughout its journey, it has remained anchored on its guiding slogan: “Towards a Better Community Development.”