Tompolo, Ijaw Monarchs Offer Thanksgiving to Egbesu Deity

Tompolo, Ijaw monarchs offer thanksgiving to Egbesu deit

The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, yesterday led notable Ijaw traditional rulers and leaders to pay homage by way of traditional thanksgiving to the revered Egbesu deity.

The event was held at the sacred Gbaraun Egbesu Temple in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State.
The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, led a retinue of traditional rulers to the event.

The event, which drew dignitaries, elders, youths, and sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation, was held to honor the gods of Ijaw land, with a focus on the revered Egbesu deity.

The sacred event also brought together monarchs from Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo states, who had recently returned from a spiritual pilgrimage.

The thanksgiving ceremony represented a moment of unity, peace, and cultural renewal among the Ijaw people, as well as a reflection on their common struggles and triumphs in the face of socioeconomic and political challenges.
 
The one-day event was dedicated to praying for the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria, with an emphasis on promoting peace and advocating for economic reform.

Tompolo, whose influence in the Niger Delta region is well known, also used the occasion to address the audience.

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Recognizing the critical role of traditional institutions in fostering regional harmony, he praised the monarchs and elders for their efforts to maintain peace amidst the area’s complex sociopolitical dynamics.Tompolo, the Niger Delta Peace Advocate, emphasized his ongoing commitment to the well-being of the Ijaw people and Nigeria. 

He reiterated his commitment to the peace process as long as it benefited the Niger Delta people. 

“This land has suffered far too long, and it is time for us to continue working together for our people’s prosperity, ensuring that our ancestors’ blessings were not in vain.”

The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, expressed profound gratitude to the gods for restoring peace to the region following years of conflict. “Today is a day of thanksgiving, a day to celebrate our culture, traditions, and, most importantly, to give thanks for the blessings we have received,” he told the crowd. 

Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Registrar of Maritime University, Okerenkoko, was among the dignitaries in attendance, emphasizing the importance of the event. 

The ceremony reaffirmed the Ijaw people’s commitment to these values and their desire for peace and prosperity in the Niger Delta and beyond.The Gbaraun Egbesu Temple at Oporoza, a place of spiritual significance for the Ijaw people, is situated in the heart of the Gbaramatu kingdom. 

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It symbolizes the people’s deep spiritual connection to their heritage and divine protection. Over time, it has become a hub of cultural and religious activity, particularly during the Amasiekumor festival, which honors the Ijaw gods.

The temple’s thanksgiving ceremony featured dances, music, and prayers, with elders invoking the gods’ blessings for peace, prosperity, and development in the Niger Delta. 

The Ijaw youths also took an active role, reinforcing the idea that cultural preservation and unity are critical to the region’s future.

Several speeches were delivered during the ceremony, urging the Niger Delta region to maintain unity, cooperation, and development. 

The leaders urged both the federal and state governments to invest more in the region’s infrastructure and human capital, ensuring that the Ijaw youth are equipped to lead the next generation to a prosperous future.

The thanksgiving ceremony at the Gbaraun Egbesu Temple was a stunning display of Ijaw unity, culture, and fortitude. 

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It was both a reflection on the past and a hopeful look ahead, with Tompolo and the Ijaw monarchs promising their continued support for the Niger Delta people and President Bola Tinubu.