Warri on standstill as Niger Deltans join Tompolo on peace walk (PHOTOS)
The city of Warri stood still on Wednesday for High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka TOMPOLO, as Niger Deltans from across various states gathered in the city for the 2023 Peace Walk to mark the birthday of the renowned freedom fighter.
Hundreds of walkers from various walks of life viz: sports bodies, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), government officials, activists, religious leaders, youth groups, students, etc, gathered at the Effurun Roundabout as early as 7:00am where they marched through the major road and subsequently ended the walk at Estate Roundabout in Warri.
ALSO SEE: Rare and Classic Photos of TOMPOLO
Some of the faces present include Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, Member representing Burutu Federal House of Representatives; Hon. Pullah Ekpotuayerin, Member, Delta State House of Assembly; Her Royal Highness Queensly Ifechukwude Uzoka, the Omu of Obomkpa kingdom, Aniocha North Local Government Area; Chief Anthony Alapala, Lawmaker-elect, Delta House of Assembly, Burutu Constituency 1; Barr. Oweilaemi Pereotubo, Former President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide; Barr. Jeremiah Owoupele, Technical Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa state; Alaowei Promise Lawuru, President, Egbema Brotherhood; a host of others.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon Julius Pondi, Member representing Burutu Federal House of Representatives extolled Tomoplo saying that the freedom fighter is a man of peace and has always carried everyone along.
Also, her Royal Highness Queensly Ifechukwude Uzoka, the Omu of Obomkpa kingdom, Aniocha North Local Government Area, speaking concerning the event heaped praises on Tompolo for the peace walk and also for all he has done and continues to do for Niger-Deltans.
Uzoka said: “We know he is doing a lot for Niger Delta, we just have to tell him to continue what he is doing, he might not get all his rewards right now but God will surely reward him at the appointed time and at the right point of his need, God will be there.
“He represents strength and peace, you can see unity, he has that force to bring the Niger Delta together and I’m an Igbo speaking Niger Delta, Princess here is Itsekiri, we have the Ijaws and other tribes of the Niger Delta.
“He is one man that when you mention his name, you will hear Niger Delta, you will hear unity, the strength behind him is enormous and for that he is just someone you cannot describe just in words.
Alapala Ebitonmo, Lawmaker-elect, Delta State House of Assembly, Burutu Constituency 1, heaping praises on Tompolo, prayed that God should give the freedom fighter a long life.
Also former President of Ijaw Youth Council, Barr. Roland Oweilaemi Pereotubo, tasked everyone to “imbibe peace like Tompolo.”
He said: “All through the peace walk, what we have done, the message we have passed is peace, peace, peace; that our leader, our brother, Tompolo is an embodiment of peace and we want everybody in Ijaw nation, we want everybody in the Niger Delta to imbibe peace, to practice peace and unity, without unity, without peace there will be no development and that is what Tompolo represents.”
Hon. Pullah Ekpotuayerin, Member, Delta State House of Assembly, heaped praises on Tompolo for his contribution of in Niger-Delta.
Pullah said: “My people we will continue to celebrate this man for he has contributed immensely for thr welfare and security of the Niger Delta, so we are here celebrating him, we will continue to celebrate him.”
Also, Jeremiah Owoupele, SSA to Governor of Bayelsa state, while thanking God for keeping Tompolo alive tasked the freedom fighter to remain focus on his plans of uniting the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta as whole.
See photos below from the 2023 Tompolo International Peace Walk below:
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
