TOMPOLO IS LARGER THAN LIFE IN GBARAMATU
The saying that a prophet is never respected in his homeland is not in tune with modern times. It is not in conformity with the realities of the new world. Thus, its high time linguist and specialists in modern language usage come forth with a replacement.
In modern times, prophets command more respect at home than abroad.
In all aspects of life, be it in sports or the likes, home advantage count for much.
News filtering in on the airwaves some two weeks ago was that the Vice President of the country, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, would be coming to some oil producing/bearing communities in Delta State on Monday, January 9, for a one day fact finding visit of the areas. However, barely 48 hours to the planned visit, the terrorist group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), announced that it has completely lost trust in the Federal Government’s promise to better the lots of the people of the region and as such would in a couple of days commenced its Operation Wall of Jericho with a vow to ‘hit the enemy hard’ where it would pain it much.
In the wise counsel of the facilitators of the trip it was more reasonable that the date of the tour to be pushed forward for consultations towards finding a solution to the crisis. Seeing that frayed nerves are resorted to.
When it was observed that frayed nerves have been calmed to some extent the date of the tour was fixed for the next Monday, January 16.
On the afternoon of the eve of the tour, the reporters that had been shortlisted to be part of the trip to Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, got a text message telling them to converge at the Millar Waterside in Warri at 7.00am “for onward transit to Oporoza (in Gbaramatu Kingdom) tomorrow.”
The team, made up of about 24 people including guides, tookoff from the Millar Waterside in a boat by 8.10am. The journey to Oporoza which took a little over one hour was memorable at some point thrilling while at some other points was frightening as the driver, who can be described as a real master of his craft, manoeurvred his way through the high seas and thick mangrove forest.
Alighting from the Oporoza Waterside the team noticed that everywhere seemed to be in a festive mood with different sets of women using big pots to cook different sorts of local foods and heartily cheering the visitors. Some of the men in the media team are not new to the locality so they act as guide to the first timers like yours sincerely.
As the visitors made their way to the venue of the civic reception for the Vice President and is team made up of the Delta State Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa; the state Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro (a homeboy), Senator James Manager, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and a host of others, gaily dressed men, women and youths either cooking, playing or selling petty things welcomed all on sight with a warm smile, a wave or “welcome sir/ma.” The first thng you immediately notice as you move closer to the Pere of Gbaramatu’s Palace Pavilion, the venue of the reception, is the bust statue of three women erected in front of the all white painted edifice standing on a large expanse of land almost the size of a local stadium. Opposite the pavilion are two buildings said to be the residence of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), the much talked about ex-militant leader and son of the soil. Adjacent to Tompolo’s house is a structure said to be where Tompolo worships.
From all indications and judging from the similarities in the architectural designs and the white colour paint used on all the buildings, they are probably projects constructed by the same person/s. The observation was confirmed to be right by indigenes of the community. Tompolo solely constructed the edifice including the palace of the paramount ruler and his (traditional ruler’s guest) house both at the back of the pavilion. As the visitors enter the pavilion they are welcomed with warm handshake and, in some cases, a bear hug by Paul Bebenimibo, one of Tompolo’s associates.
Bebenimibo took over the team and led us on a guided tour to the palace of the Pere. The sight that greets visitors is better imagined than seen. A royal seat, a footstool and pillar beams, among many others, crafted in real gold are some of the wonders that you behold as you enter the magnificient palace. The palace as it glitters tell you that money was well spent in putting it together. Yours sincerely out of curiousity asked who built the edifice and the response of course was not surprising – Tompolo.
These are just a part of the larger than life respected and recognition that Tompolo commands in the kingdom. Many discussions on contemporary issues in the kingdom centre around his exploits. Who is Tompolo? Daily Times was naturally forced to ask a few indigenes this question. As everyone awaited the arrival of the Federal and State Government officials Daily Times filled the short period of the wait to get response from some of the indigenes.
Of course, the reply was unanimous – “He is our beloved son in whom we are well pleased.”
Asked about the whereabout of the “beloved son” whom has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since last year, a petty trader, Mama Ebi, said, “I no know where he dey o. If to say I know I go tell you?” she asked looking suspiciously at this reporter. Another woman, who claims she is a farmer, said advised the reporter to be careful the way and manner he enquires about the whereabout of Tompolo or else “dem go beat you up here.” She went into a narrative of how Tompolo has impacted positively on the lives of everybody in the kingdom and even beyond.
Picking up the story from there, a youngster, who was one of those carrying placards calling on the Federal Government to consider giving accreditation to the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko (also built by Tompolo), disclosed that he is a student of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin under the sponsorship of Tompolo.
“All of us you see here (almost 500 hundred) carrying placards calling for the endorsement of the Maritime University are being sponsored in different prominent universities across the country. God bless Tompolo. If not for him I would have probably been in one remote village seeking for an undefined livelihood.”
To buttress the point of the large heartedness of Tompolo, the meal provided free for whoever cared to eat at the occasion was said to have been provided by his associates in telling the world that they stand by him at all times.
“You can see that we are all happy receiving and entertaining our guests today. That is to tell you that we want the world to know our plight and to also appeal to the FG to stop haunting Tompolo. He means well for the country.”
To sum it all up, while addressing the mammoth gathering including the fact finding team led by Professor Osinbanjo, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), after giving kudos to Tompolo for his humane nature, stressed that “the Ijaw people are peace loving. We are ready to work with President Muhammadu Buhari. We are appealing to the Federal Government to stop prosecuting Ijaw leaders. We are not saying that those who offend the system should not prosecuted. What we are saying is that the different institutions should allowed to do their law in line with the constitution. Tompolo is a patriot not a thief.”
