TOMPOLO, A GIANT OF JUSTICE – PROF. TOSAN

…Niger Deltans must have a rethink

The former ground commander of all Niger Delta warlords, alias Tompolo has been described as a giant of justice that have rose to deliver his people from the shackles of oppression from the Nigerian state.

Prof. Tosan made the admonition yesterday at Warri while delivering a lecture entitled “Tompolo and the Niger Delta question” during the 46th birthday of former warlord Ekpemupolo.

Prof. Tosan Blessing Harriman,  is a Professor of Comparative Dialectics and Pro-Consul, Centre for the Advancement of democratic and People’s Right, Bayero University, Kano.

He noted that Tompolo has been in the struggle of liberating his people from the acute marginalization occasioned by those that do not wish the Niger Delta well, emphasizing that TOMPOLO have been in this struggle of liberation for the past 30 years, which according to him has been recently misrepresented and mistaken as militant by some misinformed Nigerians, stressing that militant seeks to enrich his personal purse while freedom fighter seeks to liberate his people from oppression, which is a typical example of Tompolo.

Prof. Harriman, maintains that in the Niger Delta context, Tompolo could be liken to the prophets of the old testament who foretells the future, adding that the blinking future of his people made him to fight with the sole aim of liberating his people.

Speaking further, the Professor described Tompolo as a God-sent to deliverer his people and the Niger Delta in general, while decrying the alarming rate of betrayal in the region even amongst the Ijaws against the person of Tompolo.

Apparently  furious at the betrayal game played by some people in the region, he pointed out that  such is the reason why the region has been so underdeveloped like its counterparts across the federation.

He called on the people of the Niger Delta to have a rethink by doing away of their “pull him down” syndrome which has eaten deep in the lives of some Niger Delta people, adding that some persons betray just because they want to feed their stomachs.

He also appealed to sons and daughters of Niger Delta particularly the Ijaw extraction to stop betraying their illustrious and principled son, noting that if supported by concerned Niger Deltans, Tompolo’s dream of resource control can be  achievable.

The event took a different dimension when popular Ijaw musician,  Alfred Izonebi manned the stage with a song describing TOMPOLO as ‘GOC’ which was a music released by late. King Robert Ebizimo. It was noted that the said song pulled the crowd as they could not hold back by the magnificent awigiri dance steps, the rain could not even deter the crowd from celebrating the freedom fighter.

A point must be noted that triple Chief Vero Tangbowei led the women into the awigiri dance display while Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, Honourable Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency at the House of Representative and Hon.George Ekpemupolo, Chairman Warri South West Local Government Council led the men in the awigiri dance.

Scholars, Traditional rulers, business moguls, lawmakers, commissioners and Ijaw youths all gathered to celebrate the man Tompolo in his absence.

Among the many personalities were the Pere of Seinbiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Charles Ayemi-botu (JP); Prof. Benjamin Okaba;  Chief (Prof.) G. G. Darah;  Prof. Tosan blessing Harriman; Rt Hon. Julius G. Pondi, Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency; Chief Favour Izoukumor, Commissioner Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC); Hon. George Ekpemupolo, Chairman, Warri South West Local Government Area; Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, with many others.