The people of Oporoza community, traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, were in celebration mood Tuesday afternoon, as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa presented the staff of office to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, the Aketepe, Agadagba.
The mood in Oporoza was enchanting and charged with much wining and conviviality, as the entire headquarters of the kingdom was agog with dignitaries from all works of life.
The dignitaries who graced the colourful event included former President Goodluck Jonathan, House of Representatives members, Hon Daniel Reyeneju, Hon Julius Pondi, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, traditional rulers from Delta, Ondo, Bayelsa and Rivers states, clerics and various government functionaries among others.
Also at the event were traditional rulers from Egbema and Urhobo kingdoms as well as chiefs from Itsekiri kingdom also attended the occasion.
Regatta dancers from communities making up Gbaramatu Kingdom were seen in colourful attires and well decorated vessels, sailing towards Oporoza.
Security outfits from regular members of the armed forces and vigilance groups from Gbaramatu communities are upbeat on their duties.
The elated Governor Okowa after presenting HRM Oboro Gbaraun II with the staff of office lauded the traditional ruler and described the kingdom and ceremony as peaceful.
“I’m happy the Ijaws could put themselves together for an occasion like this and I look forward to a greater community of love, peace and development,” he said.
Okowa pleaded with every nationality in the state to reconcile among themselves, saying “it’s time to heal wounds for the state to move forward.
“You have reasons to feel bad, but it’s also possible to carry out agitations through dialogue and non-violent manner. It’s time to embrace peace; forgive those who need to be forgiven. We need to partner with others to move forward. I’ve come to plead with you to embrace peace. It’s time to think back and reconcile,” Okowa said.
He promised to carry out visible developmental projects in the riverine areas of the state, noting that his government be held responsible if it reneged after two years.
Meanwhile, the acting secretary of the Traditional Council of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, has decried the intermittent raids of communities by military troops.
He decried the alleged military pastime, disclosing that many indigenes of the kingdom have practically made the first their abode.
“The military raids our communities at will and this has made our people to make the forest their abode.
Countless men, women and children have been injured and several of them have been injured and several of them have lost their lives to these invasions,” Gbenekama noted.
He therefore called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to as the Chief Security Officer of the state, work hard to reduce the presence of troops and arbitrary raids of Gbaramatu Kingdom, which he noted, usually leave behind tales of woes.
Gbenekama also pleaded with Governor Okowa to prevail on the Federal Government to continue with abandoned projects such as the Export Processing Zone at Ogidigben, Shipyard and Deep Sea Ports at Okerenkoko as well as the Maritime University at Kurutie in Warri South West Local Government Area.
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