{"id":2197,"date":"2024-04-19T20:02:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T20:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/04\/19\/oporoza-standstill-as-ooni-lokpobiri-keyamo-okaba-pondi-guwor-joel-onowakpo-traditional-rulers-others-storm-grand-finale-of-amaseikumor-festival-in-delta\/"},"modified":"2024-04-19T20:06:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T20:06:01","slug":"oporoza-standstill-as-ooni-lokpobiri-keyamo-okaba-pondi-guwor-joel-onowakpo-traditional-rulers-others-storm-grand-finale-of-amaseikumor-festival-in-delta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/04\/19\/oporoza-standstill-as-ooni-lokpobiri-keyamo-okaba-pondi-guwor-joel-onowakpo-traditional-rulers-others-storm-grand-finale-of-amaseikumor-festival-in-delta\/","title":{"rendered":"Oporoza Standstill As Ooni, Lokpobiri, Keyamo, Okaba, Pondi, Guwor, Joel-Onowakpo, Traditional Rulers, Others Storm Grand Finale Of Amaseikumor Festival In Delta"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Freeborn Abraye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ancient Oporoza community, the headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West of Delta State was at the centre of attraction as personalities, captain of industry, traditional rulers, ministers in the federal republic of Nigeria, National Assembly members, State Assembly Members and speakers, CEOs of oil multinational companies, members of the forth estate, traditional chiefs, and other top government functionaries graced the grand finale of the Amaseikumo 2024 annual festival on Wednesday in Delta State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The traditional event which was described as one of the widely celebrated festivals among Africans encompassed cultural entertainment, football, boat regatta, Ijaw cultural dance competition, wrestling, live music entertainment and others, this was followed by a grand civic reception and traditional rites performed by the Niger Delta living legend, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the Egbesu Chief Priest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The grand finale of the 2024 edition of the Amaseikumo festival which had kicked off on Wednesday April 12, was attended by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II leading a host of the Niger Delta Traditional Rulers. This 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, Rt.Hon. Julius Pondi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cultural event was also attended by the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor; the Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Office (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, INC president Prof Benjamin Okaba, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Niger Delta leader, 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 Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, flanked by other monarchs across the Niger Delta region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a funfair as the masquerades danced round the arena in acknowledgement of dignitaries that had come from far and wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was further learnt that from the commencement of the Festival on April 12, till the last day of the event, the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation (EMTF) provided free medical checks and treatment to residents and guests at Amaseikumo festival in Oporoza town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to report, over 1,000 individuals received the health treatment under the free medical outreach organised by the Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the former Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr. Paul Bebenimibo mobilised media personalities, in their number to the event. The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) was also participated in their number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, those who spoke at the event agreed that Amaseikumo festival is one of the widely celebrated festivals among Ijaws in the whole of West Africa which gathered notable Ijaw traditional rulers, top government functionaries, chief executives of multinational corporations and expatriates doing business in the Niger Delta.<br \/>The great Amaseikumo Festival had reportedly endured for ages and is described as one of the oldest festivals in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was learned that the essence of this all important event in Ijaw nation was to embrace and see this rich Ijaw culture as an asset to culture and tourism development in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While presenting a welcome speech, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Fiyewei (spokesperson) of Gbaramatu kingdom, appreciated dignitaries, delegates and participants that had thronged Oporoza to witness the display of one of Africa&#8217;s rich-cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He urged all dignitaries to &#8220;imbibe the culture of love, peace and unity which Gbaramatu Kingdom is known for&#8221;.<br \/>Gbenekama reiterated that the participation of this year&#8217;s Amaseikumo Festival is quite amazing and a confirmation of the festival being celebrated and embrace by every nook and cranny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According him, the entire Gbaramatu environment was radiant with peace, law and order throughout the week-long celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meantime, commendations have trailed Tantita Security services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) as guests and dignitaries tripped into the waterways for the event. The MD Tantita Security Services limited, Chief Engr Kestin Pondi was applauded for ensuring that there was no more crude oil floating on top of water which had hitherto constituted pollution and unfriendly environment as, for the first time in many years past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Tantita&#8217;s MD, Kestin Pondi, who spoke to newsmen attributed the success story to the selfless sacrifices of the Niger Delta living legend, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tompolo who is a notable traditionalist and the chief priest of the Egbesu deity, the god of war in the Niger-Delta also expressed joy and happiness for the massive turn-out for the this year&#8217;s Amaseikumo festival which was celebrated in a grand style.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freeborn Abraye The ancient Oporoza community, the headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[398,14],"tags":[422,423,419,418,420,417,425,421,424],"class_list":["post-2197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-opinion","tag-guwor","tag-joel-onowakpo","tag-keyamo","tag-lokpobiri","tag-okaba","tag-oporoza-standstill-as-ooni","tag-others-storm-grand-finale-of-amaseikumor-festival-in-delta","tag-pondi","tag-traditional-rulers"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-2-1.jpg?fit=955%2C574&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2194,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/04\/18\/how-oni-of-ife-other-traditional-rulers-top-government-functionaries-joined-tompolo-gbaramatu-kingdom-to-celebrate-the-2024-amaseikumor-festival\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":0},"title":"How Oni Of Ife, Other Traditional Rulers, Top Government Functionaries Joined Tompolo, Gbaramatu Kingdom To Celebrate The 2024 Amaseikumor Festival","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"April 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"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 Amaseikumorcame to a joyful and pleasant end on Wednesday at Oporoza town, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Community&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C569&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C569&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/img_1343-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C569&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5521,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/2027-pondi-otuaro-guwor-other-delta-south-stakeholders-endorse-senator-joel-onowakpo-for-second-term\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":1},"title":"2027: Pondi, Otuaro, Guwor, Other Delta South Stakeholders, Endorse Senator Joel-Onowakpo For Second Term","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"May 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, was among key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, Delta South Senatorial District, who, on Friday, endorsed the senator representing the district, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, for a second term in the 2027 general elections. They expressed their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1583,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2022\/02\/28\/gbaramatu-kingdom-announces-date-for-2022-gbaraun-egbesu-ibolomobo-ere-and-amaseikumor-festivals\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":2},"title":"Gbaramatu Kingdom Announces Date\u00a0For 2022 Gbaraun-Egbesu, Ibolomobo-ere And Amaseikumor Festivals","author":"Coastal Times","date":"February 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News The start date for the yearly Gbaraun-Egbesu, Ibolomobo-ere, and Amaseikumor Festivals in Oporoza, the traditional capital of the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State's Warri South West Local Government Area, has been set. Chief Kestin Pondi, the Ibe-benemowei of Gbaramatu kingdom, made the announcement in a statement released on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinion&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/img-20220217-wa0001-1.jpg?fit=764%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/img-20220217-wa0001-1.jpg?fit=764%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/img-20220217-wa0001-1.jpg?fit=764%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/img-20220217-wa0001-1.jpg?fit=764%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5505,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/04\/19\/2027-otuaro-inc-president-traditional-rulers-guwor-solomon-others-lead-endorsement-of-president-bola-ahmed-tinubu-governor-oborevwori-for-second-terms-at-bomadi\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":3},"title":"2027: Otuaro, INC President, Traditional Rulers, Guwor, Solomon, Others Lead Endorsement Of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori For Second Terms At Bomadi","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"April 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and other prominent Ijaw leaders have led the people to endorse President Bola Tinubu and the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, as their candidates for President and Governor in 2027. The Ijaw leaders and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0905.jpg?fit=1200%2C1182&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0905.jpg?fit=1200%2C1182&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0905.jpg?fit=1200%2C1182&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0905.jpg?fit=1200%2C1182&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0905.jpg?fit=1200%2C1182&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4375,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/just-in-advocacy-group-writes-open-letter-to-delta-state-house-of-assembly-demands-for-amendment-of-traditional-rulers-and-chiefs-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":4},"title":"JUST IN: Advocacy Group Writes Open Letter To Delta State House Of Assembly, Demands For Amendment Of Traditional Rulers And Chiefs Law","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022As They Call For Correction Of Title Of Olu Of Warri To Olu Of Itsekiri \u200eBy Uche Alvin\u200e\u200eOPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY\u200e Urgent Legislative Action Needed to Amend the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law\u200eCorrect the Misleading Title \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d to the Accurate \u201cOlu of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinion&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5258,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/05\/delta-state-assembly-speaker-emomotimi-guwor-commissions-nextgen-reading-culture-initiative-centre-in-gbaramatu\/","url_meta":{"origin":2197,"position":5},"title":"Delta State House Of Assembly Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor Commissions NextGen Reading Culture Initiative Centre In Gbaramatu","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has commissioned the NextGen Reading Culture Initiative Centre at Opuedebubor during the Amafinide Uge Festival in Opuedebubor Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State. The initiative, conceived and nurtured by Mrs. Lizzy Oguma, is aimed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6740.jpg?fit=1200%2C982&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6740.jpg?fit=1200%2C982&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6740.jpg?fit=1200%2C982&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6740.jpg?fit=1200%2C982&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6740.jpg?fit=1200%2C982&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-zr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2197"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2199,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197\/revisions\/2199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}