•Itsekiris also honours late. Osen, as he journey’s home.
By Princewill Binebai
Instead of a burial, it rather turned out to be a cultural festival today as even the trees, aquatic bodies and the water itself celebrated the demise of a great figure, Late. Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo.
Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper gathered that the barge carrying over six thousand people, with the corpse of Late. Ekpemupolo heavily and colourfully decorated left the Miller waterside about 9.30am and finally got to Kurutie at 3.45pm.
It would be recalled that the titanic journey was full of lots of newsworthy occurrences. The barge was carrying people from almost all tribes in Nigeria.
SECURITY
Dramatically, the Nigerian military especially the Army, provided two armed gunboats to protect the barge and the people from any security breaches that may have arose.
Within the ramp barge being towed by two thug boats carrying the unbelievable number of people, there are also armed Mobil police men, making sure that there is total decorum among the people in the barge.
The Okerenkoko Vigilante group also came out with their security attires on speed boat to pay respect to the highly respected late. Chief Thomas.
The expertise movement of speed boats around the barge is indeed another drama to watch.
ACTIVITIES
The marathon journey witnessed lots of activities as Prince Abraham, a fast growing Ijaw musical expert from Isaba Kingdom, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State thrilled the audience to maximum satisfaction.
THE JUSTLE FOR FOOD
This was another interesting phase of the journey as hitherto responsible men, women, boys and girls engage on a war of words to get food. There where even instances of fighting.
TRADITIONAL RITES
Traditional rites where observed and performed in honour of the late Chief as very rare and magnificent Ijaw traditional dance steps where randomly exhibited by experts along this regard.
TRUMPETERS
The trumpeters on their part did not disappoint either as they also thrills at every point when the barge is approaching any major town within the Gbaramatu enclave.
FISHING CAMPS CELEBRATES.
Our correspondent learnt that several fishing camps within the riverine communities that led to Gbaramatu Kingdom in their own arrangements are also celebrating Daddy Ekpemupolo as they gather in their numbers to dance and wave their hands to the barge.
ON ARRIVAL TO KURUTIE
Apart from the endless place marked as the burial ground, the uncountable canopies and chairs are all filled up with people and with many others looking for somewhere to seat.
The number of Ketras are uncountable, food is everywhere serving people that feel like eating.
There was inter cultural exhibition of love as the Itsekiris are also dancing with their traditional troup live at Kurutie.
The Itsekiris also have a unique culture, no doubt the unity I have seen today actually beats my imagination.
There is also this Ijaw group of wrestlers, beating their drums and walking round the venue gallantly.
THE RAIN
Although it was raining earlier, but people don’t seems to give a damn or care about the rain as the town is busy in all spheres.
But as at the time of commenting, the rain is already subsiding, all thanks to God.
SECURITY SITUATION IN KURUTIE
The security situation here is so peaceful, so far, there have not been any recorded case of violence.
OTUARO IN KURUTIE
His excellency Barr. (Dcn) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, the amiable deputy governor of Delta State is here in Kurutie to sympathise with his people.
As at the moment, security have been highly beefed up such that to get close to the corpse of late. Chief Thomas, is no longer achievable.
It is also very important to note that almost all Ijaw speaking communities are in one way or the other represented.
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