By Joel Fiafiawei
The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi, has lauded the media organization, GbaramatuVoice, for its immense contribution to cultural preservation, environmental advocacy, and media professionalism in the Niger Delta region.
Chief Pondi made the remarks when he received the Publisher and Managing Director of GbaramatuVoice, Mr. Jacob Abai, and his management team at the company’s head office. The visit was part of the activities ahead of GbaramatuVoice’s 10th anniversary celebration scheduled to hold in Abuja later this August.
In his heartfelt welcome, Chief Pondi described GbaramatuVoice as a brand that has come to stay. Reflecting on its humble beginnings, he said:
“When you draw my knowledge back to some of these things, I don’t even remember them. But then, what I saw was a young man with a vision who was willing to go the extra length, including upgrading himself to meet up the needed skill and standard for his dream.”
He emphasized the importance of media ownership and storytelling from within the region, noting:
“One of the things I have always told myself is that nobody can tell our story better than us. So, when you came up with the idea of telling the Gbaramatu story, telling the Niger Delta story, not just me, but almost every well-meaning Gbaramatu person, knew that this was a good starting point.”
“Have you grown? Yes. Did you disappoint us? No. Have you done well? Perfectly. I don’t think there is any Gbaramatu person who is not going to be proud of you.”
He went further to commend the impact of GbaramatuVoice on cultural promotion and awareness, particularly through digital platforms: “Do you know what you have done in terms of our cultural evolution, the revolution and evolution? The cultural promotion alone! There are lots of people who wake up on Monday morning; they are not even here but want to watch the Monday service. They just put on their phone. Somebody even told me in London last week that everything we are doing, he’s watching through GbaramatuVoice.”
Chief Pondi also highlighted GbaramatuVoice’s pivotal role in amplifying the environmental campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining:
“The message we wish to pass to the people of the Niger Delta is that our environments are being degraded and our aquatic life is almost gone. The impact of illegal refineries on the health of our people is going to be far more damaging in the long run.”
He praised GbaramatuVoice for taking the campaign to “every nook and cranny of the Niger Delta,” helping to raise awareness and push for positive change.
The Tantita MD further revealed that because of this awareness, aquatic life has begun to return:
“Before, about two or three years back, you might not even see any fisherman on the river. But today, you have to be careful not to hit a fisherman on a canoe. Fishes have come back to the creeks. Even dolphins now come close to Burutu.”
He also expressed appreciation for the role played by the media team in covering his recent empowerment programme: “COO, I want to thank you specifically, you and your team, for taking out time to work very, very hard on the Kestin Pondi Empowerment Program. I am personally grateful.”
Publisher’s Response: Gratitude and Reaffirmation
In his response, Mr. Jacob Abai, Publisher and Managing Director of GbaramatuVoice, expressed deep gratitude to Chief Pondi for his unwavering support over the years. He described the visit as a homecoming to a leader who believed in their vision from inception.
“This visit is not just ceremonial, it is a homecoming to a leader who believed in our story when it was nothing but a dream birthed from the creeks of Gbaramatu. Sir, before the world took notice of our efforts, before the lights, the cameras, and the national recognition, you stood by us. You supported us when there was little to show.”
He continued: “As we count down to the 10th Anniversary of GbaramatuVoice, we thought it most appropriate to personally say thank you. Thank you for opening your doors to us each time we knocked. And thank you for being an inspiration, not just to us, but to an entire generation of Ijaw sons and daughters who now believe that our story can be told, and told right.”
Mr. Abai also reassured the Tantita MD of continued partnership:
“As you continue to lead with integrity through Tantita, know that GbaramatuVoice remains a partner in progress, amplifying the positive, shedding light on the overlooked, and preserving the legacy of those who fight for the soul of the Niger Delta.”
Top management of Tantita present at the meeting included the General Manager, Chief Tare Godfrey Pondi; Administrative Manager, Miss Daisy Jaja; Head of Community Relations, Hon. Akpos Seimode; Speaker of the Warri South West Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Samuel Ekpemupolo; Media Consultant, Mr. Binaebi Adowei; along with other senior officials.
The GbaramatuVoice team is currently on a series of strategic courtesy visits to leaders and stakeholders across the region as part of the build-up to its 10th anniversary and the Niger Delta Night of Honor set for August 27–28, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
See photos below | By Chairman Ojumiri
