THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, led a host of other traditional rulers from the north and the Niger Delta in honour of leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo at the grand finale of the Amaseikumo festival.
The grand finale of the 2024 Amaseikumo festival held recently with other dignitaries such as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; the Senator representing Delta South senatorial district, Joel Onowakpor and member of the House of Representatives representing Burutu federal constituency, Honourable Julius Pondi and captains of industries in attendance at Oporoza, traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speakers at the event acknowledged that Amaseikumo festival, which has endured for ages, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals among Ijaws in the whole of West Africa and beyond.
The Fiyewei (spokesperson) of Gbaramatu kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, appreciated dignitaries, delegates and participants who had thronged Oporoza for the ritual code.
He urged all dignitaries to imbibe the culture of love, peace and unity which Gbaramatu kingdom and the festival metaphorised.
Gbenekama reiterated that the participation of this year’s Amaseikumo festival is quite amazing and a confirmation of the festival acceptance across ethnic divides, adding that the entire Gbaramatu was agog and radiant with peace, law and order during the week-long celebration.
Dignitaries at the occasion lauded the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Kestin Pondi, for his commitment in the fight against oil theft and the pollution of the water environment.
Meanwhile, Tompolo, who is the custodian of the Egbesu deity, the god of war in the Niger-Delta, expressed great delight at the massive attendance at this year’s Amaseikumo festival.
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