Tompolo’s birthday has become a carnival-Ijaw group

The National Leader, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade  Austine Ozobo has described the annual birthday celebration of ex-Niger Delta agitator, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo AKA Tompolo as an annual carnival that is enveloping the Niger Delta.

Comrade Ozobo, who made the statement Wednesday April 12 during Tompolo’s 46^th birthday celebration in Warri, Delta State, urged Ijaws and other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta to join force in making the annual carnival of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a reality.

He appealed to others to emulate Tompolo who he called hero and symbol of unity as well as development.

Comrade Austin Ozobo fielding questions from newsmen

An Academia in Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Tosan Harriman while delivering a lecture at the event, cautioned those allegedly witch-hunting High Chief Government Ekpemupolo to desist forthwith in order to attract development, peace and unity to the Niger Delta region.

Prof. Harriman declared that Tompolo “understands 100 years of denial of his people’s right and development”.

A prominent Linguist from Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Gabriel Godini Dara in his lecture titled: “The Niger Delta Struggle and the Question of Ethnic Identity”, said the persistent water challenges facing the Niger Delta, particularly Gbaramatu in Warri South-West Local Government Area will be tackled if the Nigeria Maritime University resumes academic activities.

Prof. Dara also noted that apart from the water issues affecting the Niger Delta, Nigeria needs the services of 150 thousand Marine Engineers, but presently has only about a thousand marine engineers.

He praised Tompolo for his doggedness in attracting development and peace among his people and the Niger Delta, even as he described him as a man who has a positive vision for the development of the Niger Delta.

The University Don appealed to Ijaws and other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta to embrace themselves in other to attract the needed attention from the Federal Government. He also posited that Niger Delta can become like Dubai if the people agree to allow peace reign in the region.

From right: Prof. G.G Dara, Bishop Dein, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, The Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Pere Charles Ayemibotu & Prof. Tosan Harriman

Also speaking, the Acting Spokesman of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Timi Oguobiri described Chief Ekpemupolo as an Apostle of peace in the Niger Delta who loves justice to prevail in the region.

According to Comrade Timi Ogobiri, Tompolo is a man “who has no comparison when it comes to attracting development, education, fairness and justice in the Niger Delta”.

Some friends & well wishers led by Comrade Timi Ogobiri during the peaceful procession in honour of Tompolo

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