In a momentous cultural gathering, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on Tuesday led an assembly of Ijaw monarchs and traditional leaders in an expanded thanksgiving ceremony at the historic Gbaraun Egbesu Temple in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.
The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, arrived in grand style, accompanied by a distinguished retinue of traditional rulers. Together they converged on the sacred temple, long considered a spiritual anchor for the Ijaw people.
The ceremony drew an impressive crowd of dignitaries, community elders, youths, and sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation— all united in honouring the revered Egbesu deity. Monarchs from Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo states, recently returned from a spiritual pilgrimage, also graced the occasion. Their presence underscored a renewed spirit of unity, peace, and cultural revival across Ijaw land.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the gathering served as a moment of reflection on the collective struggles and triumphs of the Ijaw people amid ongoing socio-economic and political challenges. The one-day thanksgiving was dedicated to prayers for the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large, with strong emphasis on sustained peace and the need for meaningful economic reforms.
Tompolo, widely respected as a peace advocate in the Niger Delta, addressed the assembly, highlighting the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in fostering harmony. He commended monarchs and elders for their unwavering commitment to peace despite political complexities, reaffirming his dedication to the welfare of the Ijaw people.
“This land has suffered for far too long, and it is time for us to continue working together for the prosperity of our people, ensuring the blessings of our ancestors are not in vain,” he said.
HRM Oboro Gbaraun II expressed profound gratitude to the gods for renewed calm after years of unrest. “Today is a day of thanksgiving — a day to celebrate our culture, our traditions, and, most importantly, to give thanks for the blessings we have received,” he told the gathering.
Also present was Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Registrar of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, reflecting the broad significance of the event.
The Gbaraun Egbesu Temple, located at the heart of Oporoza, remains a central spiritual hub for the Ijaw people. Over time, it has become a vibrant centre for religious and cultural activities, especially during the Amasiekumor festival and other ceremonies honouring the Ijaw gods.
Tuesday’s thanksgiving featured an array of traditional dances, music, and prayers, with elders invoking divine blessings for peace, prosperity, and the development of the Niger Delta. Ijaw youths played an active role, reaffirming the importance of preserving heritage and strengthening intergenerational bonds.
Speakers at the event called for sustained collaboration and development across the region, urging government authorities to step up investment in infrastructure and human capital. Empowering the youth, they stressed, is critical to a prosperous future.
The thanksgiving ceremony stood as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and cultural pride. It offered both a reflection on the Ijaw nation’s past and a hopeful vision for its future— with Tompolo and Ijaw monarchs reaffirming their commitment to the Niger Delta people and their continued support for President Bola Tinubu.
As the celebration drew to a close, one message resonated clearly: the Ijaw people remain unwavering in their resolve to protect their heritage and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
Credit: Daily Champion
