How Oni Of Ife, Other Traditional Rulers, Top Government Functionaries Joined Tompolo, Gbaramatu Kingdom To Celebrate The 2024 Amaseikumor Festival -

Coastal Times

The Niger Delta living legend, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo was the centre of attention as the 2024 Annual Festival of Gbaran-Egbesu, Ibolomobere and Amaseikumor
came to a joyful and pleasant end on Wednesday at Oporoza town, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Tompolo is a notable traditionalist and the chief priest of the Egbesu deity, which is the god of war in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.

It was funfair galore in the Gbaramatu Kingdom as the week-long ceremony which encompassed cultural entertainment, football, boat regatta, Ijaw cultural dance competition, wrestling, live music entertainment, among others, climaxed with a grand civic reception and traditional rites performed by Tompolo, the Egbesu Chief Priest.

The Wednesday’s grand finale of the 2024 edition which had kicked off on April 12, had in attendance the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II leading a host of the Niger Delta Traditional Rulers.

Other dignitaries included the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Joel Onowakpor as well as the third-term member of the House of Representatives representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi.

In attendance also was the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor; the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Office (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, among others.

Tompolo took the centre stage at the main arena when he led various masquerades with their cultural dance steps into the venue as they paid royal homage to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, flanked by other monarchs across the Niger Delta region.

The masquerades danced round the arena in acknowledgement of dignitaries that had come from far and near.

From the commencement of the Festival on April 12, the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation (EMTF) provided free medical checks and treatment to residents of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Oporoza town.

As at the last count, over 1,000 individuals received the health treatment under the free medical outreach organized by the Foundation.

Also, the former Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr. Paul Bebenimibo mobilized media personalities, in their number, under the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) to the event.

The Amaseikumor ceremony, according to the organisers of the event, is one of the widely celebrated festivals among Ijaws in the whole of West Africa which annually draws together notable Ijaw traditional rulers, top government functionaries, chief executives of multinational corporations and expatriates doing business in the Ijaw nation.
The great Amaseikumor Festival has reportedly endured for ages and is described as one of the oldest festivals in Nigeria.

The fresh perspectives of this all important event in Ijaw nation was the embrace of this rich culture as an asset to build culture and tourism for national development.
The Fiyewei (spokesperson) of Gbaramatu kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, while appreciating dignitaries, delegates and spectators that had thronged Oporoza to witness the display of one of Africa’s rich cultural heritage urged all to “imbibe the culture of love, peace and unity which Gbaramatu Kingdom is known for”.
He remarked that “this year’s Amaseikumor Festival is a restoration of the acceptable rich Africa cultural heritage”.

It is imperative to state that the entire Gbaramatu environment was radiant with peace and concord throughout the week-long celebration.

What was even spectacular was the success achieved by a company, Tantita Security services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in ensuring there was no more crude oil floating on top of water which had hitherto constituted pollution and unfriendly air as, for the first time in many years past, the naturality of the environment was felt.

The Managing Director of Tantita, Engr. Kestin Pondi, alluded to this in a statement just as he attributed the success story to the painstaking efforts of the Niger Delta living legend, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo.

Source: Focal Point