Birthday: Hon Sunny Celebrates Funkekeme as he Clocks Plus One

Birthday: Hon Sunny Celebrates Funkekeme as he Clocks Plus One 

A frontline aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming Burutu Local Government Council Polls, Hon. Prince Sunday Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme, has congratulated the Bulou-Owei of Oporomor Kingdom and the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Chief Funkekeme Solomon on the auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary.

In a statement released on Sunday and signed by himself in Warri, the immediate past Secretary Burutu LGA, Prince Sunny Perekeme described Hon. Chief. Funkekeme Solomon as a selfless leader per excellence who passionately build and pave ways for upcoming youths for political positions across the length and breadth of Delta State.

He exenorated Funkekeme as a political maradona in Delta, whose servant leadership style is being felt by critical political actors within and outside Delta State.

As he clocks plus one today, Prince Perekeme wished him good health, longlife and more open doors in his future political ambitions. Once again, congratulations and happy birthday to the Bulou-Owei of Oporomor Kingdom, the statement added.

Bomadi ward 5 writes Gov. Sheriff open letter on political imbalance

Bomadi ward 5 writes Gov. Sheriff open letter on political imbalance 

..... Makes passionate appeal to produce the next council Chairman 

Warri _____ ln what they described as political marginalization and injustice, the people of Ward five (5) which comprises Kalafiogbene/Ekamta Communities in Bomadi Local Government Area, has written an open letter to the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency correct the injustice meted against them since the inception of the fourth republic in 1999.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Ward 5, Mr Koroama Solomon, Timipre German, Chairman Ekamta Community and the Chairman Kalafiogbene Community, Mr. Zion Okukuku said since the creation of Bomadi LGA, no son or daughter of Ward 5 has ever become Council Chairman either by appointment or election despite the huge support and contributions of the ward to the party over the years.

The ward 5 people are using this medium to make passionate appeal to His Excellency, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who is a product of fairness, equity and justice to have a human face by making sure the forthcoming Bomadi LGA Council Chairman comes from Ward 5 in order to balance the political sideline as well as to assure the people a sense of belonging as responsible, peace loving and dedicated PDP faithfuls in Delta State since 1999 to date.

However, read below full details of the letter.

OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY RIGHT HON. SHERIFF OBOREWHORI ON THE NEED FOR EQUITY IN BOMADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA CHAIRMANSHIP POSITION FOR WARD FIVE (5)

Your Excellency, the good people of Bomadi Local Government Area, particularly the People’s Democratic Party Family of Ward Five (5) once again congratulate you on your well-deserved victories in the 2023 governorship election, the tribunal, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. 

We wholeheartedly appreciate your developmental strides within this short period in office, specifically the construction of flyovers in Warri and Effurun, the renovation of bye-pass roads in Otovwodo Ughelli, the near completion of Ughelli/Asaba road, the completion of the Bulu-Apelebiri bridge at the Bomadi/Ohoro road amongst other numerous projects across the State. We pray the Almighty God to keep guiding you as you diligently manage the affairs of the State irrespective of tribal, religious or political affiliations.

Your Excellency, it has become mandatory to write you on the present political imbalances in Bomadi Local Government Area suffered mostly by Ward (5). We believed acquainting you on the detailed situation of the political history of the area will consciously guide you against selfish political marauders who are bent on using your good name against the polity. This simple and sincere letter of appeal is prompted by the fact that equity and justice are democratic principles that cannot be waved aside. We know, as a product of equity and justice you will expedite action in correcting the injustice meted on the political destiny of ward five (5) in Bomadi Local Government Area, despite giving our complete support to the party since the inception of the fourth republic in 1999.

Ward five (5) which comprises Kalafiogbene/Ekamta communities is reputed to be a stronghold of PDP in Bomadi L.G.A with an undisputable history of party loyalty during elections and other political activities. This can be testified by our great leader Senator James Manager and the other leaders across the length and breadth of the Local Government Area.

THE POLITICAL MARGINALIZATION OF WARD FIVE (5).

Your Excellency, it is now a thing of serious concern for the good people of ward 5 since the creation of Bomadi L.G.A, no son or daughter of ward five (5) has ever become council chairman! In as much as this sounds oblivious, unfortunately, it is bitter truth. In fact, ward five (5) is the only ward in the Local Government Area that has not produced the council chairman both in elective and appointive capacities. This is in spite of Ward five (5) having competent and well schooled individuals and party faithfuls.

OUR HUMBLE REQUEST FOR EQUITY IN BOMADI LGA.

Your Excellency, on the above premise, it has become expedient and humanitarian on your part as our true leader to making sure the Bomadi L.G.A Council Chairman comes from Ward five (5). This will no doubt balance the present political scale of the area. It will also assure us a sense of belonging as responsible, peace loving and dedicated PDP faithfuls in Delta State. We have served the PDP plate enough for our plate to be served this time around.

Your Excellency, from the above tabular information, it is obvious the Stakes are against the People of Wards Five (5) despite our display of political dedication and loyalty to our great party over time. We make a strong affirmation on this apt disposition for the need of correcting this age-longed injustice. We sincerely hope this honest appeal will be given its deepest acknowledgement for the sake of humanity, justice and political equity. We pledge to continue with our support for the People’s Democratic Party even as we pray to realize this humble request in the forth coming L.G.A polls in the State. Finally, we urge you, our listening governor, Right Hon. Sheriff Oborewhori, and the PDP leaders in Bomadi L.G.A to see this legitimate appeal of ward five (5) as unflinchingly deserving and timely spurred. Our dear governor, as a product of equity and justice do same for ward five (5) in Bomadi Local Government Area Delta State.

Long live PDP

Long live Ward Five (5)

Long live Bomadi L.G.A

Long live Delta State.

Signed:

Koroama Solomon, Chairman PDP Ward 5.

Mr. Timipre German, Chairman Ekamta Community.

Mr. Zion Okukuku,

Chairman Kalafiogbene Community.

Cc:

Barr. Kingsley Esiso, (The State Chairman PDP Delta State).

Senator James Manager, (Our National Leader).

RT. Hon. Nicholas Mutu, (House of Reps Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency).

RT. Hon. Preyor K. O. (Member, Delta State House of Assembly, Bomadi State Constituency).

Prince Opuofeni, (Chairman PDP Bomadi LGA).

Hon. Trophy Kirifagha, (Treasurer PDP Delta State).

Barr. Funyei Manager, (Commissioner for Special Projects, Delta State).

Prince Kelly Penawou, (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta State).

Hon. Barry Gbe, (Economic Adviser to the Delta State Governor).

HRM. SP. Luke Kalanama ll, the Pere of Akugbene Mein Kingdom.

Alaowei Broadrick Bozimo, (Former Minister of Police Affairs).

Chief Bare Etolor (Leader of thought).

Featured Article: The Urhobos, PAP And Wild Outbursts-By Ekanpou Enewaridikedeke

Featured Article: The Urhobos, PAP And Wild Outbursts-By Ekanpou Enewaridikedeke 

Yesterday is gone. Yesterday should be gone.Yesterday should be gone forever without a furtive look occasionally cast at today.But yesterday  is not gone because it has recently been resurrected and brought back into idle conversations and pseudo-intellectual discourses of today in the wake of the 14 March Okuama(Okubama) massacre in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. 

The apostles of this exhumed yesterday are the chameleonic ethnic jingoists -  rabidly  in search of spaces to display their congenitally and preternaturally indoctrinated views and kleptomaniac capabilities, though currently barred by their shaky circumstances. These are the atrociously -grammared pseudo-intellectuals and idle commentators on the social media whose correctional sieve-free, pseudo-historical fabrication, verbal cartography, ethnic chauvinism and pontifications are driven by a mania to convince the public that they are the only true patriots of Ijaw nationality whose self-opinionated views must become the thesis and dissertation of every student  - or perhaps the orgasm of every participant in the Adam-Eveic game of willing slide and swings usually enacted with absolute privacy on the 'Bermudan fairground'.

His Excellency Senator Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo  is the deputy governor of Bayelsa State. Before he became the deputy governor of Bayelsa State there was a ferocious wind of

self-opinionated demagoguery, declamations, verbal denigration, indoctrination, radicalisation, verbiage,  delirious melancholia, paranoia, 'facebook-mania' and vindictiveness against him premised on the knowledge that he was an Urhobo man  -  as perceived idiosyncratically and propagandised by the so-called ethnic jingoists. The verbal storm that raged against  His Excellency Ehwrudjakpo was activated by some ethnic jingoists who employed the services of pseudo-intellectuals and idle  commentators (Facebook vampires) on the social media to 'hyperbolise' it without first drawing on the knowledge available in the history of Bayelsa State. For being ideologically stuck to His Excellency Ehwrujadkpo as his  deputy governor despite the man-made rising storm,  His Excellency Governor Douye Diri was even subjected to verbal pulverisation.

What is indeed wrong with an Urhobo man resident in Bayelsa state becoming a deputy governor even if his true biological roots are not historically buried there? Ethnicity does not define and determine performance competence and prudent management of resources in government. It is an emanation from individual capacity, not tied to the roots of one’s ethnicity. If it is an Urhobo man who has the capacity and competence to developmentally place Bayelsa State on the right path, it should be a commendable development because performance competence is the centre-piece of governance in any position. It is an echo of irrationality  to begrudge an Urhobo man deemed developmentally competent enough to hold the office of a governor or deputy governor in any state of residence with or without any geographical licence of belongingness and indigeneship  if the age-long conventions allow it.

The 'whys'  of why an Urhobo man should hold this  position or that position in Bayelsa State and else where in Nigeria assume deafening  stridency or high decibel in the wake of the 14 March 2024 Okuama massacre that led to the death of seventeen soldiers in Delta State over which the culprits are still being furiously searched for. Ethnicity  does not produce competence, patriotism and productivity in office. The resultant performance miracle often demanded by the society stems from the individual. It does not recognise tribe. 

A universal acknowledgement powered by biological exposure is that no ethnic group has special performance competence genes physiologically built into the body at birth, responsive to activation and deployment when demanded in official position.Performance competence  in office does not recognise ethnicity. If it were  so, why has PAP (Presidential Amnesty Programme) performed dismally over the years? Apart from Major General Godwin O.Abebe (2009-2010) and   Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ochuko Ararile (June 2009- April 2010), the PAP office has often being run by Ijaw people  - Timi Alaibe ( 2008/2010), Hon.Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku (2011-2015), Brigadier-General PT. Boroh (July 28-March 13 2018), Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo (13 March 2018-August 26 2020), Col.Milland Dixon Dikio (August 2020-August 2022) and Major- General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (September 2022-March 2024).When these Ijaw personalities from Rivers and Bayelsa States were appointed PAP Administrators, the ethnic jingoists jubilated that authentic Ijaw men had been rightly appointed to man the office of PAP. To the ethnic jingoists, Heaven was developmentally on earth. Did these  applauded personalities run the office admirably as rabidly anticipated by the apostles of ethnicity? Doesn’t this show that  humans must be concerned with performance competence   in office because it is not dictated by roots of ethnicity? 

Today the PAP office is in  the hands of Chief  Dr. Dennis Otuaro from Delta state. Stuck to their known attitudinal convention or theology, the ethnic jingoists have started their impetuous jubilant dance that it would be  developmental Uhuru for PAP since Chief Dr Otuaro is an Ijaw man from Delta State  - a jubilant impetuous dance that may dramatically metamorphose into a maiden dance of castigation if events don't fall 'wekezi' into their tainted individual idiosyncratic mould,idiosyncratic expectations, idiosyncratic prescriptions and projections.Syllogistically, this anticipation is wrong. My alignment is with the position that  Chief Dr Otuaro will do well in his office based on his antecedents. However, whether or not he performs well in his office will not be a product of his roots as an Ijaw man but it will be a product of his competence, prudent management of resources and philosophy of development and performance. Ethnicity has no space here, only compositions and characterisations of the individual appointee have a comfortable space here.

Again, for the Ijaw ethnic jingoists obsessed with Urhobo this and that in Bayelsa State  over a matter that is not even tangentially connected to such positional and governance matter, should know that to bear Urhobo names as both first name and surname does not diminish or invalidate one’s root of Ijawness, particularly where one’s roots of Ijawness are maternally traced. Must such a person whose roots of Ijawness are maternal not be addressed as an Ijaw man, but rather than as an Urhobo man depending on the indigeneship choice of the person? May be this is the categorisation around which His Excellency Ehwrudjakpo's roots journey in varied forms until authentically claimed by the root-owner in words in opposition to the claims of ethnic jingoists

However the magnetism of our idiosyncratic perceptions, let us always learn to adopt as a philosophy that if an Urhobo man errs in position, single him out for correctional castigation, not the entire Urhobo ethnic group because such impetuous  extension to incriminate and verbally cremate all the Urhobos would be a hallmark of hasty generalization replete with ignition points for ethnic tension.

I think the time has come for ethnic jingoists to stop the impetuous categorisation of true Ijaw people as Urhobos when it borders on elective or appointive struggle for spaces available.  The Urhobos and the Ijaws have often intermarried over the years.Hardly can you find a family in Ijaw that does not have Urhobo roots because of the long history of  intermarriage.It is this history of age-long intermarriage that one can find Urhobo communities geographically sandwiched between Ijaw communities in Delta State.Ofoni is an Ijaw community in Bayelsa State where they speak both Ijaw and Urhobo languages because of intermarriage. Though biologically rooted in Ijaw, some of them bear pure Urhobo  names occasioned majorly by maternal and paternal variations in roots of origin –which is even  the phenomenon in Kiagbodo community in Delta state  - Kiagbodo community which is purely an Ijaw community linguistically divided into Urhobo and Ijaw in communication. Must we label such people in Ofoni or Kiagbodo Urhobo and deny them their entitlements? And even where it is historically authentic that they are not Ijaws, doesn’t their  performance competence matter if it is spotted? 

It would be intellectually nourishing to look at this issue in its varied forms.If the Urhobos, by geographical location, find themselves in a distinct community in Bayelsa  State as indigenes as some Ijaws are in Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo State and others, sons and daughters of Urhobo distinguished by performance competence can hold any elective or appointive position in Bayelsa State.Wild outbursts against this on the social media is a dissipation of time and energy.Would you be happy if you are deprived of your entitlements in Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and other states into which some Ijaws have been thrown through calculated fate of balkanisation? Must you deprive the Urhobos of their elective and appointive entitlements if they geographically or geopolitically belong to Bayelsa State?

It is high time we stopped the gratuitous sale of individual pretensions, predispositions and preconceptions on the social media because such individual stands don't reflect the mainstream position of the Ijaws whose hands are always  historically thrown open to any person possessed of performance competence irrespective of the ethnic or geographic roots of origin.

Commendable performance in office must not be linked to biological or historical rootedness in a particular ethnic group. Performance competence  in office is dead to the language of ethnicity. Ethnic jingoists should know that an Urhobo man can hold any appointive or elective office in Bayelsa State provided he or she has the capacity to perform stainlessly in the position held. The tribe is not a barrier; the individual is the barrier because of different compositions. Among the many freedom Ijaw ex-agitators,  Chief Dr  Tompolo is doing well today not because he is an Ijaw man but because he is an individual distinguished by his own philosophy   -  a philosophy driven by obsession with the betterment of man on earth. 'Zebrudayaically’, can the pathological ethnic Jingoists saw what I see? 

Bayelsa State-consolidated instigative, denigratory outbursts against Urhobos –an unpaid job  feverishly taken up as a moonlighting  engagement by the pseudo-intellectuals and idle commentators on the social media in the wake of the 2024  Okuama massacre  – must stop now. Don’t begrudge any Urhobo man for elective or appointive position held in Bayelsa State as long as performance competence is not  questioned.Ethnicity-based  jingoistic outbursts on the social media targeted at any ethnic group heightens ethnic tension between tribes even where it is clearly known that  the jingoist dance of  pseudo- intellectuals and idle commentators on social media does not  reflect the mainstream positions of the true Ijaws intellectually equipped and historically exposed to such  issues, particularly where the authentic thinking Ijaws are daily armed  with the knowledge that the condemnable 14 March 2024  Okuama massacre has no bearing on the elective and appointive compositions of Urhobos in Bayelsa State .

It truly worries the community of intelligentsia that this propagandist excitation, propagandist pastime, propagandist dance, preponderantly popularised by those who are not even from Bayelsa State,  some  of whom are among  those ethnic jingoists  whose words and deeds  cumulatively suggest that they are great shareholders in the conglomerate that routinely distracts development organs in the world.

Ethnic jingoists seem to have radicalised their minds to abolish or knock into extinction the ancient democratic culture of Ijaw people. Over the years the Ijaws are historically known for creation of elective and appointive spaces for people strictly on relationality to possession of  performance competence without thoughts of consanguineous ties. Is it not a core  democratic element of Ijaw cultural recognition that in their various communities councilorship and chairmanship spaces are  thrown open to even strangers who have admirably given behavioural account of themselves in relation to possession of performance competence in communal affairs? Have the ethnic jingoists forgotten this democratic component of Ijaw culture that prioritises performance competence over geographical or geopolitical considerations in their different communities? Then why this anti-cultural and anti-historical showmanship shamelessly  advertised  by these reckless ethnic jingoists and Facebook vampires?

Those verbally delirious songbirds on the social media disgustingly dismissed as Facebook vampires must be ignored by the authentic Urhobos and the Ijaws who are historically familiar with the true  behavioural and ideological compositions of their ethnic groups on every issue of public interest, even without the verbal delirium displayed by the accredited Facebook vampires on every issue.It even shocks and  pains that with  some  disgusting amount of irredeemable condescension these so-called pseudo-intellectuals and idle commentators (Facebook vampires) on the social media term the appointive and elective cordiality between their so-labelled Urhobos and the Ijaws  in Bayelsa State a 'stupidity' - a stupidity that is called into being to derogate the Ijaws for being in elective and appointive harmony with the Urhobos.Is this not 'Soyinkally' unpalatable, 'redundant' and 'uncivilised' as Lakunle would be grammatically tempted to say in The Lion and the Jewel?

Global concerns in governance issues always essentialise the need to strive to discard ethnicity as one would a torn piece of cloth and valorise performance competence visible in the man like the radiant rising sun.The Kenya-rooted Barack Obama became the president of America on account of performance competence.Is the Obama example not enough to guide and silence ethnic chauvinists on the issue of Urhobo this and Urhobo that on the social media?

What is actually wrong with an Urhobo man holding elective or appointive position in Bayelsa state as long as the person has the performance competence as exampled by Senator Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo? Pseudo-intellectuals and idle commentators on the social media must watch their impetuous, instigative outbursts on matters that are not connected to the Okuama massacre when the matter itself is being professionally tackled by the concerned authorities. May we always retain the respective names of our fathers and mothers so that the secular space does not become too befogged for human habitation. 

We must feel obliged to make the secular space the honeyed haunt for all birds to perch however their variegated pigmentations by not being distracted by the ravings of pseudo-intellectuals and delirious Facebook vampires who perpetually market bad products and contraband  on the social media in their individual capacities and send wrong signals to other ethnic groups because they pass themselves off as patriots of their perceived ethnic groups with false assumptions.Urhobo and Ijaw are always partners in progress who will never be distracted by Facebook vampires that always rave without a defined ideology. Urhobo wado! Haan Izon!

By: Ekanpou Enewaridideke

Writes from Akparemogbene, Delta State.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

How Oni, Emirs, Keyamo, Lokpobiri honor Tompolo at Amaseikumo Festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom

How Oni, Emirs, Keyamo, Lokpobiri honor Tompolo at Amaseikumo Festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom

Oyinbi Onduku 

Warri ______ Oporoza Community, the traditional headquarters of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State was filled with dignitaries from all works of life across the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern Nigeria to honour the invitation of the renowned Niger Delta born ljaw great freedom fighter cum philanthropist, High Chief. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo in celebration of the famous Annual Festival of Gbaraun Egbesu, lbolomobo-Ere and Amaseikumo 2024 edition.

The highly respected dignitaries that grace this years Gbaramatu Kingdom popular Amaseikumo Festival include, the Ooni of lfe, His lmperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (CFR), Emirs from Kogi, Taraba, Niger States, traditional rulers from South -South Nigeria, especially the lbenana-owei of Ogulagha kingdom who is the Chairman ljaw Traditional Rulers Council of Delta State, HRM. Capt. (Dr.) Joseph Timiyan JP joined their Gbaramatu counterpart, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun ll JP, Aketekpe Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Kingdom's annual festival.

Other traditional rulers are His lmperial Majesty, (Barr) Zaccheus Doubra Egbenunu (JP) Opukutu lll, the Agadagba of Arogbo ljaw-lbe Kingdom, HRM. Egbesuwei Gbanraun X Agadagba, the Pere of Gbanraun Kingdom, HRM. Joel Ekeni lbane (JP), the Ogiobo lX, the Pere of Iduwini Kingdom, Bayelsa State, HRM. Gbebokedi Ajiri-Oba Oguruyeke Diamond Okirimini 1st, the Agadagba of Tubotoru Kingdom, Ondo State, HRM. Beri Apoi Ogudumu, Oki, Kalasuo lll, the Agadagba of Okomu Kingdom, Edo State, HRM. Godwin Ogunyebo Alagbabunafa lll, the Agadagba of Olodiama kingdom, Edo State among many others too numerous to mention.

Meanwhile, some of the political class in attendance include, the honourable Minister for Aviation, Hon. Barr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), distinguished senator Heineken Lokpobiri, honourable Minister for State Petroleum Resources, High Chief. Dennis Otuaro, Special Adviser/ Administrator Presidential Amnesty Programme on Niger Delta, and the honourable Minister for culture and Tourism was ably represented.

And the distinguished members of the National and State Houses of Assembly who graced the occasion include, Sen. Joel Thomas Onowakpo, the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, the member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief. Thomas Ereyitomi JP, member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, the Speaker Delta State House of Assembly who was accompanied by the Speaker Anambra state House of Assembly and that of the Bayelsa State Speaker respectively. Other honourable members are, Hon. Amb. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, member Delta State House of Assembly representing Burutu North Constituency, Hon. Chief. Peres Oloye, member Delta State House of Assembly representing Burutu South Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Sinebe, member Delta State House of Assembly representing Patani Constituency, Chief. Favour lzoukumor, ED DESOPADEC, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing ljaw ethnic nationality in the board of DESOPADEC, Hon. George Ekpemupolo among others.

From the business class, Double Chief. Tunde Smooth, the Bolouwei of Niger Delta, Sir. Matthew Tonlagha, MD FENOG, Comrade Chief. Sheriff Mulade, CEO CEPEJ, the great Joshua McIver, Coordinator Tantita Security Services Bayelsa State, Sir. Godfrey Tare Pondi, GM Tantita Security Services and a popular Lagos base social critique cum rights activist, the Very Dark man was also present at the event.

Speaking to our reporter at the event, the Chairman Organizing Committee of the 2024 Amaseikumo Festival, High Chief.(Engr.) Kestin Pondi said the over all significance of the Amaseikumo Festival is to foster unity, cleaning, healing, charity, purity, sharing of love, peace, protection and restoration for the purpose of getting rid of and preventing evil upon the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in particular, and ljaw nation at large.

Engr. Kestin further stressed that Amaseikumo Festival is one of the ancient traditional celebrations handed down by their ancestors to be observed annually by the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom by the founding fathers.

He emphasized that the word Amaseikumo means good living, peace, unity, prosperity and protection to the people of the Communities that make up the kingdom.

Engr. Kestin concluded by saying, the festival has three distinctive spiritual, sociocultural and thanksgiving dimensions at the end of the carnival. The peculiar and trado-spiritual activities that make up the Amaseikumo festival include Gbaraun -Egbesu Ogele, lbolomobo-Ere, the Amaseikumo proper and a befitting thanksgiving ceremony at the end of the seven days long one week programme, he stated.

However, other side attractions featured during the grandfinale of the Amaseikumo festival include, Wrestling competition between Delta/Bayelsa ljaws, cultural dance competition, football competition, comedy session, draft competition, eating competition and live performance of ljaw owigiri highlife music display by various ljaw owigiri highlife musicians.

Other spectacular moment at the carnival like colourful event was when the ljaw Publishers Forum, IPF ably led by its National President, Comrade Austin Ozobo alongside the Vice President, Comrade Oyinbi Onduku, elder Cletus Opukeme, Mike Ugedi, Ekpegha Preye, Francis Abai, Anthony Demebide, Kagbala Ezekiel, Emmanuel Keneware stormed the arena in a grandstyle to the admiration of the different spectators at the historic event massively put together by Gbaramatu Kingdom.

The biggest youth organization in West Africa, the great ljaw Youth Council, lYC Worldwide was fully on ground led by its National President, Sir. Jonathan Lokpobiri alongside the Vice President, Comrade Freedom Atikpi, the capacity Spokesman, Amb. Princewill Binebai, the Financial Secretary, Comrade Tare Victor-Gow and other members of the Executive Council.

The ljaw National Congress, INC was not left out as its National President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba was also present to witness this years historic Amaseikumo Festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Alapala invite friends as he sets to bury mother on 18-20 April in Burutu

Alapala invite friends as he sets to bury mother on 18-20 April in Burutu 

Hon. (Dr) Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, minority whip, ranking member representing Burutu constituency 1, Delta State House of Assembly, used this medium to respectfully invites friends, colleagues, business partners and well wishers to the final Burial rites of his beloved Mother, Late Mrs Esther Genegenkoro Ebitonmo at Gbekebor Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to the funeral arrangement:

Day 1). Thursday 18th April, 2024. Service of Songs at her residence @ NBTC Road behind BEDC high tension Uvwian Udu LGA, Delta State by 4pm prompt. Music to be supplied by JK Alfred lzon-ebi.

Day 2). Saturday 20th April, 2024:  Church Service at New Jerusalem City, Gbekebor, Burutu LGA, Delta State by 12:noon. 

On same day, interment and entertainment of Guests by 2pm. Thereafter by 6pm, there will be traditional social wake keep till dawn. 

Signed:

Alapala Media and communication Unit

Sunny Consults Enekorogha, solicits for support ahead Burutu LG Poll

Sunny Consults Enekorogha, solicits for support ahead Burutu LG Poll

Francis Tayor

Warri _____ A frontline chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Burutu Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme on Monday paid a consultative visit to one of the most respected Burutu leader and former member House of Representative Burutu Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Engr). Frank Penakeme Enekorogha.

The visit according to Prince Sunny Perekeme, said was to formerly inform his elder brother of his intention to serve Burutu people as council Chairman.

Prince Sunny emphasized that he has come to seeks for his elderly brother's advice, support and connections to enable him actualize his political ambition to emerge as the next Burutu Council Chairman.

He however, promise to serve the collective interest of Burutu people, adding that he has the framework and practical working experience to deliver the real dividends of democracy to the masses when given the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Chairman of Burutu LGA.

Reacting to the development, Hon. Frank Enekorogha warmly received Prince Perekeme and his campaign team with joyful heart, saying he values relationship and respect more than money.

Leader Enekorogha described the incoming Burutu Council Chairman as a very humble and straight forward person with proven integrity, adding that he never heard any complaint neither negative report from Burutu people about sunny while he was Secretary to the Council.

Hon. Enekorogha acknowledge Prince Sunny Perekeme as his younger brother and son from Obotebe kingdom, stressing that he is very dedicated to duty and respects constituted authority, the statement added.

Finally, Engr. Enekorogha sincerely pours out wonderful prayers from the bottom of his heart for Prince Sunny Perekeme to succeed, adding that his doors are always open for him to come at anytime, anyday.

WSW Chairmanship Crisis: Ycom calls on Gov. Sheriff to intervene

WSW Chairmanship Crisis: Ycom calls on Gov. Sheriff to intervene 

.....warn ljaw, ltsekiri desperate, selfish politicians against looming crisis 

Francis Tayor

Warri ______ The National Coordinator of the lndependent Grassroot Liberators, IGL, a human rights/political pressure group in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Company Yerinbowei Felix, popularly known as Ycom has issued a stern warning to some ljaw and ltsekiri self centered  leaders he reffers to as desperate politicians and war mongers to as a matter of public importance desist from brewing another round of ethnic crisis in Warri over their sinister moves to sublet the Council Chairmanship position to the ltsekiris again having them produced the council Chairman in the last six years.

Hon Company noted that the peace enjoyed in Warri and its environ was as a result of the peaceful coexistence between the ljaws and the ltsekiris, stressing that the youths will never allow themselves to be used as escape goat by those desperate politicians that are currently nursing war in Warri.

The peoples advocate reminded the general public that immediately after the Warri crisis, there was a mutual gentleman rotational agreement between the ljaws and the ltsekiris in Warri South-West to share the council Chairmanship seat among the two ethnic groups for peace, equity, fairness and justice to reign in the council.

He reiterated that according to the gentlemen arrangement, the ltsekiris just have their two terms and now it is the turn of the ljaws in Warri South-West to produce the next council Chairman. " It is very unfortunate that some forces are working behind the scene to mortgage the ljaw turn to the ltsekiris for their selfish future political ambition", he asserted.

The immediate past Councillor who well represented the people of ljansa ljelejele Ward 13 Ogbe-ljoh has called on those desperate politicians in Warri South-West to prepare for the consequences of any break down of law and order in Warri as result of who to produce the next council Chairman in the forthcoming LG elections.

Hon. Company further draw the attention of the tireless, hardworking and peace loving executive governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori to know that some criminal elements are trying to cause crisis between the ljaws and the ltsekiris in order to disturb his government, adding that His Excellency should quickly intervene on the matter so as to avert any perceived preventable crisis in Warri.

Late Pastor (Mrs) Jane Ukori for Burial April 27, in Burutu

Late Pastor (Mrs) Jane  Ukori for Burial April 27, in Burutu 

The families of the late Pastor (Mrs.) Jane Jemima Jude Ukori (Nee Orubebe) have announced the funeral order of their beloved mother, daughter, wife, sister and aunt. 

According to the burial committee chairman Engr. Pius Ominije, late pastor Mrs Jane Ukori will be buried on  Saturday April 27, 2024 in her home town, Ogbogbagbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The families further announced that on Thursday April 25, 2024, her service of songs would be held at her husband's residence, No. 7 Egbeide Lane, Poposi Close, off Oil Field Road, Warri, Delta State, at 3pm.

More details coming.....

Ngbilebiri Kingdom fixed August 12-18 to bury late Bigborogha ll in Delta

Ngbilebiri Kingdom fixed August 12-18 to bury late Bigborogha ll in Delta

....... Sets up burial planning committee 

Francis Tayor

Warri ______ There was a wild jubilation in Kiagbodo Community, headquarters of Ngbilebiri Mein-Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as the various autonomous Communities as well as royal families that made up the kingdom met to announce date for the final burial rites of their departed King, HRM. Late King Samuel Hitler Perekeme (JP), Bigborogha ll, Pere of Ngbilebiri Mein-Kingdom.

This is coming after seven years the reverend traditional ruler joined his ancestors in 2017, putting to rest the various controversies following the demise of Pere Bigborogha ll.

According to the resolutions reached at the end of the general meeting held on the 9th April, 2024 at Ngbile Hall in Kiagbodo, the one week burial programme is scheduled for August 12th-18th, 2024. 

This was immediately followed by setting up of burial committee chaired by Pastor Dode while Mieyeseigha Okpe, Chairman Ayakoromo community as Secretary.

Some of the autonomous Communities and royal families present at the meeting include; the host Kiagbodo, Bikorogha, Ayakoromo, Oyangbene, Akparemogbene, Bigborogha royal family, Kakah royal family among others.

The historic meeting was graced by some notable sons and daughters of Ngbilebiri Mein-Kingdom, including the immediate past Secretary Burutu Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Sunny Perekeme, Hon. Paul Kurugbe, Hon. Chief. Godwin Masah, the Peretunteri-Owei of Ngbilebiri Mein-Kingdom, Dr. Ahmed Saibakumo, Engr. Henry Yeigagha, Princess (Chief). Beauty Perekeme, Prince Christopher Perekeme, Hon. Joe Sojaowei among many others too numerous to mention.

More Burutu leaders expresses confidence on Sunny chairmanship ambition

More Burutu leaders expresses confidence on Sunny chairmanship ambition

Francis Tayor

Warri _____ The atmosphere to serve the good people of Burutu as the next council Chairman becomes more favourable to Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme as more Burutu PDP leaders expressed confidence on his chairmanship ambition.

This time is coming from the immediate past Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Prince. Emmanuel Amgbaduba, the Chairman PDP Delta South Senatorial District, Chief (Dr.) Julius Takeme and the former Chairman PDP Burutu Local Government, Hon. Godwin Edumogiren as they give credit in Prince Sunny Perekeme's undisputable capacity to serve Burutu people well when given the opportunity.

The leaders gave their credence to Prince Sunny Perekeme on Tuesday in Warri as he paid them consultation visit.

Speaking during the visit, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba described Perekeme as a very humble and honest person who had perfectly served many leaders in Burutu Local Government Area, especially Hon. Asupa Forteta, Hon. Frank Ekioemi Zoukumor, Hon. Godknows Angele, Chief. Combolous lkisa, Hon. Godwin Edumogiren and Chief. Julius Takeme who has testified about his integrity and respectful attributes to constituted authority whenever responsibility is given to him.

Prince Amgbaduba asserted that Sunny Perekeme having served the above mentioned leaders without blame, he is tested and trusted, hence he will do better when given the opportunity to serve as Burutu Council Chairman.

In his remark, the former Chairman PDP Burutu Local Government, Hon. Godwin Edumogiren confirmed that Sunny Perekeme is trustworthy and dedicated person who respect elders, adding that his past working experience in the public sector and the party is a great advantage for him to serve better as council Chairman.

While the current Chairman PDP Delta South, Chief (Dr). Julius Takeme acknowledge that Prince Sunny Perekeme has served both the umbrella party PDP and the Local Government diligently, adding that couple with his humility and honest background, he can do well when given higher responsibility.

He noted that Sunny is very obedient to party leadership, while urging him to reach out to more leaders in Burutu as possible.

However, Hon. Sunny Perekeme has reaffirmed his desire to operate all inclusive government whereby critical stakeholders, especially the leadership in Burutu, traditional rulers, the clergy, women groups and youth bodies would be consulted to seek their opinion before any important decision of public interest could be taken to move the council forward.

He pledge to be transparent, honest and accountable to the good people Burutu, adding that he knows the basic needs of the council and will address them one after the other holistically.

Meanwhile, the man Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme is a household name in Burutu politics, tested and trusted with proven integrity of practical working experience in the public administrative business.

He was first appointed in 2003 as Transition Committee Member/Supervisor for Agric and Natural Resources under Hon. Asupa Forteta led council Chairman. In 2008, he was reappointed as Supervisor for Agric and Natural Resources by Hon. Frank Ekioemi Zuokumo led council Chairman. 

In 2018, he was appointed as Secretary to Burutu Local Government Council by Hon. Godknows Angele led council Chairman.

In 2021, he was reappointed as Secretary Burutu Local Government Council by Hon. Godknows Angele, where he humbly and faithfully served both Angele and Combolous lkisa. 

He was also appointed as head of Administration of the PDP election management committee in Burutu Local Government Area during 2023 general elections.

And he was recently appointed as Secretary 2024 Burutu North Constituency Delta State House of Assembly Re-run election management committee that was ably chaired by Chief. (Dr.) Julius Takeme in Burutu Local Government Area.

It is on record that Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme is the first man to bagged the Meritorious Award as the most humble and honest Council Secretary in the history of Burutu Local Government Council.

Among those in the campaign team of Prince Sunny Perekeme include; Mr. Funpere Numupeide, DG Hon. Prince Sunny Perekeme campaign organization, Hon. Asiayei Eregu, woman leader Maureen Bolo and many others.

IPF Condoles with Amb. Jude Ukori over Wife's Sudden Demise

IPF Condoles with Amb. Jude Ukori over Wife's Sudden Demise

Warri _____ The Ijaw Publishers' Forum, IPF, has  expressed its deepest condolences to Amb. Jude Ukori and his family over the unexpected death of their beloved wife, Pastor Mrs Jane Ukori. 

The group delegation which was led by its national president Comrade Ozobo Austin said the death was very unfortunate and a monumental loss to the IPF and  Ijaw nation at large.

According to the family stated that Mrs Ukori passed on after a brief illness and a prompt medical attention at Lilly Hospital and UBTH, Benin.

While signing the condolence register, Ozobo said Mrs Ukori was a woman of valor and a leading light.

IPF, prayed for God's fortitude upon Amb. Ukori and his family to bear the irreparable loss of their beloved wife.

The forum noted that the legacy of late Mrs Ukori would be forever remembered as they prayed her gentle soul to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Ogbe-ljoh is over due for Higher Institution, Ycom Appeals to Sen JOT

Ogbe-ljoh is over due for Higher Institution, Ycom Appeals to Sen JOT

Francis Tayor 

Warri _______ Education is key and the bedrock of society development when government build human resource development centers across the nation. Through education, the negative mindset of the idol youths would be positively transformed gear towards building a peaceful and progressive society.

It is on that note, the peoples advocate and the National Coordinator of the formidable lndependent Grassroot Liberation (lGL), Hon. Company Yerinbowei Felix has make a passionate appeal to the distinguished senator representing the good people of Delta South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Sen. Joel Onowakpo Thomas, to use his exalted office to influence Higher Institution to Ogbe-ljoh Warri kingdom, the headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Hon. Company stressed that as peace gradually restored to Ogbe-ljoh, there is urgent need to educate the youths in order to channel their mindsets from crisis towards development and peaceful coexistence. And to achieve that, a higher learning ground is needed to engage the youths positively as builders of a nation.

He stated that Ogbe-ljoh has the capacity to host higher institution of any type be it University, Federal or State Polytechnic, NCE etc in terms of availability of land space, presence of key infrastructures like road network, light, general hospital, police station, Court, drinkable water among others to provide enabling environment for the kick start of the proposed higher institution.

The immediate past Councillor of ljansa/ljelejele Ogbe-ljoh Ward 13 asserted that Ogbe-ljoh people are peace loving as against negative sensational reports by some quarters of the media as result of the land boundary dispute between them and their neighbouring community Aladja in Udu.

Hon. Company reassured senator Onowakpo Thomas of their unalloyed support, adding that his stay in office will experience unprecedented progress and development to the people he represents because they believed in his capacity to deliver the dividends of Democracy, that is why he was voted into office by the people.

Ozobo makes case for King Pereama, appeals to fans to respect his office as Numupere ll of lzon-lbe

Ozobo makes case for King Pereama, appeals to fans to respect his office as Numupere ll of lzon-lbe

Warri _____ Concerned stakeholders in Ijaw nation have appealed to fans and well-wishers not to pressure the Ijaw Numupere-II, King Pereama Freetown to come to stage to perform in every public function he may wished to attend, especially when he was not engaged for stage display.

Corroborating this position, the president of the Ijaw Publishers' Forum, Comrade Ozobo Austin, in an interview with newsmen on Friday expressed mixed feelings over how some fans and friends disdainfully pressured the Music King to come to stage to perform in public functions where he was not hired on such purpose.

Speaking against the backdrop of the music king being pressured to perform at all public functions, Ozobo said the trend is worrisome, stating further that being a king he can honour any public invitation to grace any public event and that doesn't mean he would be performing on stage in every of such events.

The IPF president appealed to Ijaw nation, fans and well-wishers to take it easy with the music King and show some respect to him, and not to pressure him to perform on stage when he is not fully engaged on such purpose.

"As a king, it is not fair for people to pressure him to go or come to stage, asking him to come and sing one or two songs in every time he appears in public functions where he is not bill to perform.

"Please we should show some respect for him, dragging him to go to stage in a casual manner show no respect in most times. His fans and well-wishers, including others should stop it because that is not a sign of respect at all.

"I believe, he is honouring public invitation because of his position in Ijaw nation but that doesn't mean he will perform in every of such functions. It is more honourable to perform only when he is invited on such purposes. 

"Being Ijaw music king, I don't expect people to be pushing him every event he attend to go and perform. Pushing him to perform in every public functions even when he is not hired to perform does not portray him in a good light as a king. 

"So, it is my humble appeal to his fans, love ones, well-wishers and leaders to bear with him henceforth. Don't pick offence in case he turns down such appeals", Ozobo added.