Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has described the annual Amaseikumor festival of the Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta State as a great source of unifying factor and urged the people to sustain it.
Prof. Ihonvbere, the
lawmaker representing Owan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly made the observation on Saturday during the grand finale of the 2026 edition of the festival held at Oporoza Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The lawmaker while speaking with newsmen said that the festival highlights the gains and unity in cultural diversity.
The House Majority Leader at the 10th National Assembly
lauded the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom for using the annual festival to promote culture and tourism.
The professor of Political Science specifically praised High Chief Government Ekpemupolo for his unique roles in ensuring the success of the festival.
“I am glad to be at Oporoza in Gbaramatu kingdom to celebrate with the people. The festival highlights the peace and unity of the people.
“It is a festival that brings people together. I am glad to see the joy on the faces of large people that turned out here.
“It is an eloquent testimony of what people can do when they are united, when prosperity is being spread around the people.
“It is also a testimony travelling long distance, seeing the beauty of the waterways, the security despite all the kinds of news about Nigeria,” he said.
The legislator said that the festival fosters unity in diversity and urged the people to sustain it.
On Tantita, Ihonvbere said that the House of Representatives had commended the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) for adequately securing the nation’s oil and gas assets.
Recall that Tantita is a private pipeline surveillance outfit owned by High Chief Tompolo.
The firm was engaged by the federal government in 2022 to safeguard the nation’s oil and gas assets and by implications, helped salvage the nation’s dwindling daily crude oil production.
Ihonvbere said that Tantita had lived up to expectations by way of raising the nation’s daily crude oil production to an appreciable level since coming on board.
“Prior to the engagement of Tantita, the nation’s daily crude oil production output was at a very low level.
“But with the coming on board of the company, the daily crude oil output has risen tremendously,” he said.
Earlier, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro Gbaraun 11, Aketekpe Agadagba, thanked the National Assembly for passing a vote of confidence in Tantita.
The Pere who spoke through, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Fiowei (Spokesman) of Gbaramatu Kingdom noted that lot of people who had benefited from the Tantita were undoing the company.
The royal father, however, lauded the media for its adequate, balanced and objective reportage of the activities of the private pipeline surveillance company.
It will be recall that the weeklong event which commenced on April 6 and ended on April 11, featured several activities including free medical services to the people.
It least, no fewer than 35 persons successfully undergone free eye surgery and other ailments as confirmed by the Head, Medical team of the Amaseikumor festival, Dr Clark Agagha.
The doctor disclosed that free reading glass were given to those with minor eye challenges while those with high complications were referred to hospital for immediate surgery.
“Only this Saturday morning, we carried out seven eye surgeries of patients who have been facing cataract and other usual growth in their eyes,” he said.
Agagha while commending the locales and visitors for their participation in the free medical outreach, urged the sponsors to sustain the humanitarian gesture to help meet the health needs of the people.
Highlights of the event was the cultural display by the various communities that made up the Gbaramatu kingdom and the masquerade.
Also, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council used the event to present an award to the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in recognition of its roles in safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure
In attendance were: Sir Monday Onyeme, Delta State deputy governor, Sen. Joel-Thomas Onowakpor, Senator representing Delta South, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly,
Dr Dennis Otuaro, Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, and Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Registrar, Nigeria Maritime University.
Others were: the Ovie of Idjere Kingdom, King Monday Whisky, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, King Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1 and other royal fathers majorly from the Nigeria’s Southern region and among others.