– Give King of Olodiama Kingdom staff of office

By Enaibo Asiayei

Fiyewei of Gbaramatu kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama has sought for the intervention of the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to bring back to the Niger Delta, the dockyard, which was allegedly taken to Lagos.

Gbenekama stated this while addressing the Vice President, who was on an official visit to Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, on Friday, July 12.

Fiyewei in his statement said that the dockyard was initially intended to be sited opposite the Maritime University in Okerenkoko community of Gbaramatu kingdom, but was later changed to be sited in Lagos.

He however added that the present location of the dockyard was unknown and pleaded to the Vice President to use his office to relocate the dockyard to its intended area.

Gbenekama had said during the Matriculation of the Nigerian Maritime University cadets at Okerenkoko on the 6th of April that the dockyard would be beneficial to the students as they would be able to conduct their practical, making them efficient in their various fields.

He also added that it would go a long way in improving the Niger Delta and also bring development to the region.

According to Gbenekama, “You will recall that on the 16th of February 2017, you made a historic visit, which has partially opened up the Niger Delta for peaceful discussions. 

“This happened when peace in the kingdom was threatened and your visit actually brought some of these agitations to a standstill.

“Our governor and the son of the soil came up with a committee that moves across the length and breadth of the Delta State, ensuring that there is peace in Delta State, and so we welcome you and want to thank you for all the good deeds.

“We have gotten information, especially on the media that the dockyard that is meant for somewhere close to the Maritime University which was taken to Lagos is no more where it used to be.

“The Deputy Governor, our son, said we should calm down that they will find out where the dockyard is. From the information we are hearing, he set up a committee to interact with NIMASA, but sir, we want to say the dockyard is not here, neither is it in the Lagos. We don’t know where it is and we are still trying to find out. 

“We have been able to control our environment, we have struggled to sustain the peace that we have started and anything that will jeopardize the peace we don’t want it. 

“So, sir, we want you to use your good office to see what can be done to that effect.”

He further highlighted to the Vice President that Olodiama kingdom in Edo state, a sister Kingdom to Gbaramatu has a King who hasn’t yet been given staff of office.

Gbenekama beckoned on Osinbajo to talk to the Governor of Edo State, so he can give staff of office to King Of Olodiama kingdom, whom he said has been helping the Pere of Gbaramatu and other royal majesties to ensure that there was peace in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, Gbenekama has extolled the Delta State Governor and his Deputy for the effective work they had done in ensuring that the Maritime University was up and running.

He added that when the Maritime University needed light, a meeting was held with the Governor and the Deputy Governor and in less than fifteen minutes they approved generators for the University.