JUBILATION AS OKOWA PRESENTS STAFF OF OFFICE TO 26TH PERE OF GBARAMATU KINGDOM

• Calls for cessation of alleged military invasions, promises development to riverine areas

• As GEJ calls for Peace

• Aketekpe pledges to live in peace with his neighbours

Oporoza, the tradition headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom was yesterday mired with wild jubilation as the Delta State Governor, Senator. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa presented staff of office to the 26th Monarch of the Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Aketekpe Agadagba, Oboro Gbaraun II.

Speaking before the formal presentation of the staff of office, the Executive Governor of the state extensively talk about peace, stressing that without it there could have been no meaningful development.

He particularly appeals to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom to always embrace peace, according to him, it has always been his desire to spread development to the Riverine communities, noting that without peace such may fit may not be easily achieved.

Giving a breakdown of developing the riverine communities the Governor stated that he has awarded projects in Burutu, Ogulagha, Ogidigben and will ensure the completion of the Okerenkoko concrete road, alleging that funding will not be a problem in those projects.

Okowa also reveals that his administration will not award projects without completion while appealing to Niger Deltans to give peace a chance.

Speaking further on the Export Processing Zone project, EPZ, in his words “By the special grace of God, I want to reassure you that it is not abandoned, we are working on it, I am a member of the stirring committee, we might meet in Abuja at about 2:pm on Monday , although it is a private driven but I am aware that some reasonable funds have been gotten hence the constitution of the stirring committee”

On alleged incessant invasions in the Kingdom, he said “No invasion will come to Gbaramatu Kingdom any further because I believe that this is a talking point between us, it is true that you have not been treated fairly, the multinational oil companies should accord respect to their host communities, we also need to know when to change tactics “

In his goodwill message, former President Goodluck Jonathan also sues for peace, alleging that development can hardly come without peace, he particularly charged the royal fathers to always maintain peace in their various Kingdoms while acknowledging their indispensable roles in nation building.

“I believe that within this period, there have been challenges in the Country, in the Niger Delta and Gbaramatu Kingdom, these are temporary challenges, surely society will get over it, I believe that Nigeria is still a great country and would continue to succeed, the Niger Delta will succeed, Gbaramatu Kingdom will succeed and Nigeria will succeed.” Jonathan stated.

His Royal Majesty, Aketekpe Agadagba, Oboro Gbaraun II,  in his address promises to maintain good relationship with his neighbours especially the Itsekiris, Urhobos, Ndokwas, Isokos, Igbos and the larger Nigerian State.

He specifically thanked former President Goodluck Jonathan for coming to witness the occasion and the Governor who came in person to present the staff of office to him while also charging his subjects to always be law abiding, he particularly warned against any form of social vices that will bring the integrity of the Kingdom into question and disrepute.

Similarly, in a welcome address presented by Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the mobiliser of Gbaramatu Kingdom on behalf of the traditional Council of Chiefs, he decried the incessant military invasions of the Kingdom and the high level of underdevelopment that have engulfed it despite its enormous economic contributions to the Nigerian Nation and the State Government.

Gbenekama frowns at the show of disrespect exhibited by military authorities towards the paramount ruler of the Kingdom prior before the presentation of the staff of office, according to him, countless of persons have died due to the continuous military invasion, alleging that a notable example was the late. Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo, father of Tompolo.

In showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Gbaramatu people, boats where beautifully dressed by all the various communities that make up Gbaramatu Kingdom as each was stationed at the waterfront of Oporoza with magnificent dancers entertaining and dancing in honour of their King.

It would be recalled that dignitaries around the world and across Nigeria and Delta all trooped out in numbers to grace the occasion yesterday at Oporoza, prominent among them where representatives from the presidency, traditional rulers, United State of America emissaries, Chevron officials, political class with the host of others.

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