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Tag: Gbaramatu

  • Delta community affirms Gbaramatu-Ijaw roots

    Delta community affirms Gbaramatu-Ijaw roots

    The people of riverine Kantu (Ikantu) community in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State, have affirmed their Gbaramatu Kingdom ancestry, pledging “loyalty and allegiance” to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HM Oboro Gbaraun II.

    Leaders, including Chiefs of Gbaramatu kingdom, who hail from the community, while speaking at a press conference held at the community hall on Friday, said the clarification became necessary following an “age-long misrepresentation” that Kantu is an Itsekiri community.

    A statement signed by the leaders, including Chairman of Kantu Community Working Committee, Mr. Windfree Atemubaghan; Pa. Edwin Atikan Atemubagha, the Ama-Okosuwei of Ikantu; Chief (Lt. Col) S. Economic (Rtd), Seipakumor of Gbaramatu  and Clan Chief representing Kantu; Chief Arthur Eyiangho, the Ebiyemeyewei of Gbaramatu; Chief Shola Gbofeyin, the Amadiwei of Kantu; Pa Isaac Meneko, Ikantu Elder; Joseph AdidiChief priest;  Stephen Efejuku Esq., Legal Adviser; Endurance Ufene, Youth President among others, condemned the plot by some indigenes to ascribe the community to their maternal lineage.

    Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of Kantu Community Working Committee, Mr. Windfree Atemubaghan, narrated the founding of the community by an Ijaw man, Oweijibri, who hailed from Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom community around the 11th century.

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    “The male children of Oweizibiri married Itsekiri women who also gave birth to other children. In the course of growing up, the children were more attached to their mothers, who spoke their Itsekiri dialect with their children.

    And some of the children also inter-married with other Itsekiri indigenes. As such, Itsekiri language became dominantly spoken by the majority of Ikantu people. This is how the Ikantu Community which is one of the major Communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom became affiliated to Itsekiri people.

    “Some of the descendants of our ancestor, Oweizibiri are still bent on alienating their father (Ijaw) land to their maternal Itsekiri nationality. We strongly condemn this attitude of these persons because it has created antagonism for the people of Ikantu Community, among their kiths and kin in Gbaramatu Kingdom and the larger Ijaw nation.

  • Ministers, Rep members grace grand  finale of Amaseikumor festival in Gbaramatu

    Ministers, Rep members grace grand  finale of Amaseikumor festival in Gbaramatu

    • As stakeholders emphasise unity in diversity

    The Ministers of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Petroleum Resources (Oil), as well as Youths and Sport Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Ayodele Olawande, were among top dignitaries that graced the grande finale of the annual Amaseikumor festival of Gbaramatu Kingdom, with call for national unity.

    Members of the House of Representatives including Honourables Thomas Ereyitomi, Ben Etanabene, Julius Pondi, Fred Agbedi, and 40 others were also in the riverine Kingdom to celebrate with the people.

    The climax of the week-long festival kicked off just before noon Friday, with the arrival of traditional rulers across the Niger Delta, led by the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty Oboro Gbaraun, Aketekpe Agadagba at the pavilion in Oporoza, headquarters of the kingdom.

    Other monarchs were the Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I; the Dein of Agbor, Keagborekuzi I; the Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw-Ibe, Opukutu III; the Pere of Gbanraun, Gbanraun X Agadagba; the Perebof Iduwini, Ogiobo IX; the Agadagba of Tubotoru, Okirimini I; the Agadagba of Okomu, Kalasuo III ; the Agadagba of Olodiama, Alagbabunafa III; the Ebenenawei of Ogulagha, Torububuo I; the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh; the Ovie of Uvwie, Abe I; Ovie of Idjerhe, Udurhie I; Ovie of Okere-Urhobo, Owhotemu II, among others.

    Addressing reporters, Chief Keyamo likened the Amaseikumor Festival to globally renowned Argungu Festival, positing that it has become a unifying platform for diverse ethnic groups in the Niger Delta.

    “This is more than just a celebration. It is about identity, unity, and peace. Festivals like Amaseikumor remind us of the strength in our cultural roots. We must preserve these traditions as they foster harmony among our people,” he said.

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    At about 2pm, the long awaited Amaseikumo Masquerade accompanied by other masquerades, sauntered into the arena, with hundreds of followers, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, Egbesu Chief Priest and the Chairman of Tantita Security Services and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, on the entourage. 

    Amaseikumo, an ancient riverine deity whose celebration dates back to “14AD, means good living.” The festival, it is believed, would bring peace, unity, prosperity and protection to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, led other executive members and the Delta State Council of the union to the ceremony.

    On his part, Comrade Yahya lauded Gbaramatu Kingdom for their commitment to cultural preservation, just as he emphasized the media’s role in promoting unity.

    “Culture is the soul of any people. By celebrating who we are, we build bridges of understanding among Nigeria’s diverse population. This festival is a lesson in unity that should be replicated nationwide,” he asserted.

    Also, notable Niger Delta environmentalist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade,  called on Nigeria’s political leaders to take a cue from cultural gatherings such as the Amaseikumor Festival to promote peaceful coexistence rather than divisiveness.

    “Our political elites must leverage events like these to foster dialogue and unity. A united Niger Delta means a peaceful Nigeria. We must work together as one people to overcome our challenges.”

    President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, the leaderships of the Ijaw Youth Council, the Urhobo Progress Union and the UPU Youthwing, were among ethnic nationality groups present at the occasion.

    Spiced with musical performances by ace Ijaw maestro, Jnr King Izonebi; an array of local dance troupes; and gorgeous adorned Gbaramatu communities’ women dancers, the ceremony kept spectators poised to catch every glimpse of the ceremony.

    One of Nigeria’s foremost Afro-pop artiste, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, was at the event.

  • Avengers: Gbaramatu Monarch warns militants to stay off his kingdom

    Avengers: Gbaramatu Monarch warns militants to stay off his kingdom

    …Say Kingdom not at war with Nigeria

     

    The king of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Pere Williams Ogoba,Oboro II, has warned operatives of the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and all those aiming to attack oil pipelines, to stay off his kingdom.

    The monarch, who spoke through the spokesman of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, also advised the
    federal government to rein the nation’s military in and call them off his area as his kingdom is not at war with the Nigerian state.

    The warning against the Avengers and all vandals of the nation’s critical facilities came on the heels of fresh apprehension in Gbaramatu over recent deployment of military hardware in the area, including gunboats and military aircrafts.

    Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of Delta state has been the Avengers’ theatre of operations since it commenced its
    campaigns against the nation’s oil and gas industry in 2016, destroying several key assets, which severely affected the nation’s oil output.

    But in a statement obtained by The Nation in Warri yesterday, the monarch absolved his kingdom and his people from any connection with
    the dreaded militant group, adding that the group is not welcomed in any part of the kingdom.

    The statement said the monarch had given orders to all chairmen of communities in the kingdom to watch out for strangers or indigenes
    seen close to pipelines in the kingdom, hold such and hand over to security agents.

    “We want to also warn criminals that will want to use the present threat situation to cause confusion in the Gbaramatu kingdom. We
    announce to you that anybody that is caught getting close to pipelines with the purpose of vandalizing pipes will severely dealt with by the
    Gbaramatu kingdom.

    Read: Tension in Gbaramatu as military deploy aircrafts, gunboats

    “The monarch has directed that all chairmen in the kingdom should be vigilant, if they are any person that they don’t know in the kingdom
    or should they see any son of the kingdom that is about carrying out nefarious activities as it affects government facilities should be
    apprehended and handed over to security agents.

    “We don’t support the behaviour of the Avengers to wreck havoc on oil facilities, at the same time, we want to plead with the federal
    government and its agents, especially the military and the navy, please let’s give peace a chance.

    “We are not and we don’t want to be Avengers. We are not in support of the Avengers. All we say is that we want development. Things that the federal government has promised like the Ogoni cleanup, the EPZ project, the maritime university, the Omadino, Okerenkoko, Escravos
    roads and all that the federal government has said they are going to do, let them fast track them. If they do these things, nobody will
    have any opportunity to say want to do anything.

    “I think the inaction of some agencies of the government is the reason why people have opportunity to say they want to protest, but to the
    protesters we continue to plead with your conscience, sheathe the sword, that is not the right way to go. If you destroy all the
    facilities in the Niger Delta, we will suffer for it, we will be the losers, we don’t need to destroy government facilities for government
    to listen to us. Let’s sit down and talk, to jaw-jaw is better than to war-war. I repeat, we are not at war with the federal government

    “Criminals who want to use the present situation to cause an unpleasant situation in Gbaramatu kingdom should leave Gbaramatu
    kingdom alone. Should we get any information that anybody wants to get close to government facilities, our youths are on the lookout, we will deal with such people. The traditional ruler has given directives to the community chairman to ensure that this direct

     

     

  • Gbaramatu expresses concern over conflict with oil firms

    THE Gbaramatu Traditional Council in Delta state has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the frosty relationship between its communities hosting oil and gas facilities and two oil companies operating in the communities.

    The traditional council, which spoke yesterday through its Acting General Secretary, Godspower Gbenekama, at a news briefing in Warri, alerted that the failure of the government to rein in the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Neconde Energy might could lead to serious breakdown of law and order in some of the communities where they operate.

    According to the council, the companies, which jointly operate the Oil Mining License (OML) 42, operating Odidi 1 and 2, Egwa 1 and 2, Batan and Jones Creek flow stations, all  located in Gbaramatu Kingdom, had consistently violated the rights of the indigenous people by displacing those who should have job opportunities at the flow stations and hijacking all contracts from local contractors.

    It, however, informed that all the provocative activities of the companies were already heating up the polity as many of the youths whose job opportunities had been given out to non-indigenes, were resorting to self-help and in some instances, storming the flow stations to sack the non-indigenous workers.

    The council said: “It is very sad and unfortunate that the  planned relegation of our Izon contractors from this area of your operation is coming at a time when the communities, state and federal governments have resolved to work as a team in pursuit of peace.

    “Since the recommencement of oil exploration activities in OML 42 in 2012, No single community re-entry project has been executed in the host communities. More disheartening and provocative is the blatant refusal of the GMD of NECONDE Energy Limited to honour his agreement with OML 42 Host Communities to remit five per cent of its 44 per cent equity to OML 42 Host Communities, an act that we consider as a very dishonest and inimical to continuous peace in the region.

    “That evil ploy by NPDC/NECONDE to replace all community worker currently working in OML 42 flow stations is Batan, Odidi I &II and Jones Creek with none indigenes, relatives and friends of the powers that be in NPDC/NECONDE alike, a precise and calculated attempt to short-change local indigenes of their sources of livelihood.

    “The refusal of the company to follow universal best practices in lifting of their crude oil from Jones Creek flow station has destroyed the ecosystem of our lands because the process falls short of international best practices and standards and so the livelihoods of our people have been hindered and frustrated. “We, however, call on the Honourable Minister of Environment and the Ministry of the Environment to urgently visit the site and take proactive measures and action to save the situation.

    “We hereby state categorically, that we will resist this evil ploy by all means legally possible to see that what belongs to people are not taken away from them by means of nepotism and tribalistic agenda by operators of OML 42.” said.

  • Panic as military men storm Gbaramatu communities

    Men in military gears, believed to be operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), code-named Operation Delta Safe (ODS), on Saturday stormed two Ijaw communities in Warri South-West council area of Delta state, including Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    Although the mission of the men on the operation was not officially confirmed, The Nation  gathered it would be in connection with recent escalating militant activities in the area, resulting in the destruction of some critical oil facilities.

    Though efforts to get confirmation that the operations were carried out by the military were unsuccessful, it was gathered that the men broke into several houses in search of targeted persons, sending panic round by communities and causing residents to desert their homes and seek cover in the bushes.

    The soldiers were said to have arrived Oporoza at about 8am on Saturday in speedboats and gunboats, and immediately made their way into the community. The second community they reportedly visited was Tebujor.

    Chairman of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, confirmed the incident when contacted on phone, noting that many residents fled to the bush upon sighting the armed soldiers.

    Mulade, who is also the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ),  told The Nation that many of the people who fled into the bush for cover including, women and children, had not been seen.

    He called on the federal government to halt incessant harassment of their kinsmen  as many of them were already traumatised and finding it difficult to cope.

    Efforts to get spokesman of the ODS, Lt Col Olaolu Daodu, to confirm the operation, was unsuccessful.

  • Gbaramatu Kingdom crowns new monarch

    Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of Delta state on Tuesday crowned King Williams N.S. Ogoba as its 26th Pere, more than two years after the passage of his predecessor.

    Gbaramatu, one of the biggest and most powerful Ijaw kingdoms in Delta state, is known with the embattled former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

    The ceremony of the crowning of the Pere, which many had expected would be lowered in spirit due to the absence of Tompolo, who is one of the stars of the kingdom, was as a matter of fact, help with pomp and in high spirits.

    The coronation started Tuesday morning at Oporoza, with several rites climaxing in his escort to the Gbaraun Egbesu Shrine where he undertook more secret rites before the new monarch was presented to a large gathering of his subjects at the Royal Square. 

    “I present to you the 26th Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro II”, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Bebenowei (Chief Mobilizer) of the kingdom announced to a thunderous ovation from the crowd gathered to honour the monarch.

    Gbenekama added that, “We must at the success of another royal transition praise the immeasurable leadership of our dear son and pride of the Ijaw nation, Chief Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo) whose selfless sacrifices and contribution for the common good of the people underscores the peaceful selection and coronation we are witnessing today.”

    Addressing his subjects in his palace where massive upgrade is on course, the new monarch, speaking in Ijaw, preached peace across the kingdom and with neighbors far and near. The monarch withdrew momentarily to return to the Gbaraun Egbesu Shrine were the rites continue.

  • Thrills, painful recollections as Gbaramatu buries monarch

    Thrills, painful recollections as Gbaramatu buries monarch

    Oporoza, the traditional capital of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State was a beehive of activities during a weeklong mourning, festivity and ceremonies to mark the burial rites of His Royal Highness (HRM) Pere Godwin Bebenimibo, DSP (rtd), the Ogeh Gbaran III, of Pere Kingdom who passed on earlier this year.

    The monarch, also known as the Aketekpe Agadagba, was generally seen as instrumental to the restoration of peace and security to the oil-rich Ijaw Kingdom, and by extension, the Niger Delta region. It was therefore not surprising that top functionaries of the federal and Delta state governments besieged Oporoza to pay their last respect to the traditional ruler.

    Our reporter recalled that the monarch played important role during the amnesty period, particularly the acceptance of the offer by one of his subjects, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

    Those indigenous to Gbaramatu, who spoke on his life and times, particularly his brief but eventful reign, told Niger Delta Report that the Aketekpe’s greatest achievement was restoration of peace to the troubled kingdom.

    Tompolo particularly noted that the monarch left an indelible mark, noting that he cannot be forgotten by those he left behind.

    The kingdom was a war front for several months in 2009 when the Joint Task Force (JTF) launched aerial and land assaults against militants in the area. The monarch went underground for several months and became a rallying point for his battered subjects. But he bounced back and led the search for a lasting peace, which culminated in the amnesty programme and commencement of efforts to rebuild the kingdom.

    His son, Prince Alfred Abdulazees Bebenimibo, in a moving homage, noted that although his father didn’t attend the best schools, his “versatility and ingenuity in the art of lawmaking and governance” guided them through life. Whatever he learnt, he wrote down and never forgot.”

    Leading the tributes to the late monarch, Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who personally presented the staff of office to the monarch in April 2009, described him as a selfless leader whose “fatherly conduct and selflessness would be missed by all.”

    The late monarch’s home journey commenced on Monday, December 9 with condolence visits by traditional chiefs, community leaders and hundreds of his grieving subjects who besieged Oporoza to pay him their last respect. There were also burial rites, cultural activities and social wake during each day of the week-long event.

    In his remarks during the ceremony, the National Chairman, Host Communities (Oil and Gas) of Nigeria, Chief Alfred Bubor, who is also the Fiyewei of the kingdom, described the monarch’s death as a great loss, not just to the state but also to Nigeria.

    He said: “A generational star has relocated abode; the entire nation and Gbaramatu people will always remember with appreciation, the Aketekpe’s contributions to the unity and growth of the kingdom.”

    Chiefs Atafiri Ari (Toripuwei) and Dennis Otuaro (Ibe-Uyadonwei) said the monarch had transited to higher glory, remarking that his simplicity, commitment, dedication and benevolence were unparalleled. “Our king was a great encouragement and had a positive impact on all that came in contact with him.”

    For his part, the Tubainghanwei, Chief Clark Gbenewei (Claco) described the monarch as knowledgeable and intellectual personality. “His presence, wisdom and experience will be greatly missed.”

    However, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, who is the Tunterwei of the kingdom, said although the clan was taken aback by the transition of the monarch, “we are indeed inspired to celebrate his remarkable life and accomplishment. I am confident that we will find solace in the fact that our great king spent a fruitful life and was God-fearing.”

    Meanwhile, the seven-day ceremony, which coincided with the burial of former South African President and symbol of the anti-Apartheid struggle, Nelson Mandela, was a celebration of the life and times of the former police officer, who rose to the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

    Activities to mark his final passage rites included final homage by leaders of Oporoza, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene, Benikrukru, Kurutie and Azama among others. There were also traditional dances, Agular (stilt) masquerade and various traditional rites.

    The funeral rites were rounded off with an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Pere Palace Pavillion, Oporoza on Sunday, December 15. It was followed by a farewell party.

    Personalities that attended the event were the Presidential Adviser on Amnesty, Mr Kingsley Kuku; members of the Abalaere Indiyere Ogbo, Warri; pioneer chairman of the Delta State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Wellington Okirika, who is Bolowei (traditional prime minister) of Gbaramatu; members of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on DESOPADEC and Ijaw representative on the commission’s board, Chief Kingsley Otuaro, Cheif Bosin Ebikeme, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Hon. George Ekpemupolo, former Chairman, Warri South- West Local Government Area.

    Others were Dr Jonathan Ari, the Puwei (Chief Scribe) of the kingdom; chiefs Aaron Ifitimo, Dan Ekpebide, Anthony Ayebibode, Clery Ibojoh, Dakoni Vero Tangbowei; the Amakosuwei (oldest man) of Kokodiagbene, Elder Uroukirifagha Olukpa, his counterpart from Inikorogha, Elder Wilberforce Ukulor as well as their female counterpart (Amaokosuere) from Oporoza, Mama Foutuboere Ajolosemi and Chairman of the Burial Planning Committee, Chief Godspower Gbenekama.

    It was also attended by former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Chris Ekiyor, who is the interim chairman of Patani Local Government Area, Chief Jonathan Governor, Chairman JOGOF Nigeria Limited; chiefs Isaac Miebi, Jacob Odiki, Nelson Ogelegbanwei, Council Bubor, who is the Olotu of Ogulagha Kingdom; chiefs Julius and Philip Tonfawei, Matthew Ebifiyebebe as well as the Amadiwei (traditional heads) of Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene, Azama and Oporoza communities, Dominic Ezeleba, Emmanuel Ekpetipu, Jeremiah Tebela and Francis Mala, respectively.

    Speaking with Niger Delta Report on the significance of the burial, Prince Paul Bebenimibo described Gbaramatu as a key clan in Ijaw nation because the people are direct descendants of Ijo, the ancestral father of Ijaw nation who migrated from northwest direction of Mali and Songhai empires.