By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Erstwhile General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a,k,a. Tompolo has called for sustained unity among the people of Niger Delta region.
The renowned Ijaw freedom fighter stated that this is highly desirable in the face of unfolding sociopolitical development across the nation.
This was contained in a congratulatory message he sent to the newly elected officials of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), led by Professor Benjamin Okaba, copies if which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Saturday.
In the personally signed message, Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw nation and spiritual custodian of the Egbesu shrine in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, advised the newly elected Ijaw leaders to render dedicated service to the Ijaw nation.
He also enjoined the people of Ijaw nation to support and rally round the new executuve.
Tompolo’s message read in part, “I, on behalf of my family, friends and associates, heartily congratulates my brother and friend, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, on your well-deserved election as the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Saturday April 30, 2021, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
“I wish to also congratulate others who were elected alongside with you to form the Executive Council of the apex organ of the Ijaw Nation.
“I want you to see this elevation as the will of God Almighty and a service to Jehovah and the entire Ijaw Nation. Therefore, it is your duty to carry all and sundry along in Ijaw Nation. You must be magnanimous in victory and see all contestants in the election as brothers and sisters.
“I wish to call on the entire Ijaw Nation to queue behind you on this enormous task of taking the Ijaw Nation to the next level of peace, unity and prosperity.
“My thanks goes to my brother and friend, the miracle Governor of Baylesa State, Chief Senator Douye Diri, for not just providing an enabling environment, but also played a role of neutrality in the process leading to the election.
“You demonstrated yourself as a true son, and the Governor General of Ijaw Nation. I also salute your brothers, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor and his counterpart, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, as worthy companions in achieving this great feat.
“To our father and elder statesman, Chief Dr Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, I say you were wonderful in your prayers and guardians towards a successful INC election. May Jehovah God continue to endow you with more wisdom and good health to stand by your children in their quest of a greater Ijaw Nation, which has been your dream.
“I greet all our youths and women for their cooperation with the elders in this trying time of our country. It is my prayer that may Jehovah keep us all as one to match on to the Ijaw nation of our dream”.