Ijaw music fans protest against King Pereama decision to quit night burial ceremony

Ijaw music fans protest against King Pereama decision to quit night burial ceremony 

......... Appealed to Gov. Douye Diri, ljaw leaders, illustrious sons and daughters of ljaw nation to intervene on the matter

Francis Tayor

Warri_______ Mixed reactions trail ljaw Nation as ljaw owigiri highlife music lovers and fans staged a protest against King Pereama Freetown's decision to quit performance at night  burial ceremony in ljaw land. 

According to the protesters, said the action of the Numupere ll of lzon-lbe could be described as breach of contract, betrayal of love and trust towards lovers of ljaw owigiri highlife music, ljaw nation in general, especially the fans and lovers of king Pereama brand of music worldwide.

The overjealous fans in their numbers  embarked on the peaceful protest in Warri over the weekend, expressing their mind through recorded video clips against the Numupere ll of lzon-lbe Owigiri Highlife Music, King Pereama Freetown JP, on his decision to stop performing at night burial ceremony.

The protest was led by Prince Samisco Okpe, Comm. Josaiah Oyimi, Hon. Solomon Burusa, Hon. Pena Omuku, Chief. Julius Fuludu, Stephen Christmas, Powe Egbele, Alex Kimaki, Arerebo Wilson, Alex Alokpa, Chief. Felix Mienebi, Peter Kima Okiki, lsrael Omoko, aka Eginakpa among others stated that King Pereama Freetown JP promised jaw nation that he is owing them music debt and likewise ljaw nation owe him dance, especially now that he had been crowned Numupere ll of lzon-lbe.

ln their separate reactions, Comm. Josiah Oyakonghan, the Oyimi 1 of Niger Delta emphasized that it is not yet time for King Pereama Freetown to stop night burial show. " He was just made King and ljaw nation hold him in high esteem. He have to satisfy his fans both day and night show.  Whatever the case may be, he should tell us why the sudden change of plan. We his fans and the lovers of his brand of music are ready to pay the prize provided he rescind his decision," Oyimi noted.

While Alex Alokpa lamented that his aged father and mother are still alive, and when death call at God appointed time, he shall give them a befitting last honour. And who to perform is King Pereama Freetown. Therefore, he should not think of quiting night burial now, he should not go there at all, Alokpa reacted.

In his reaction, Chief. Julius Fuludu stressed that this is the time ljaw nation need the best of good music from Pereama Freetown, especially now that King Robert Ebizimo has gone to rest. He should proof to ljaw nation that he is the Numupere ll. " Though he started music at early age of 12, and since then he had been playing day and night. We know that age factor has come, it is not easy but he should remember his promise to ljaw nation with good melody and we the fans are ready to dance with him come rain or sun (day and night)," Fuludu asserted.

In another related development, Minister Bouy Ezonfade, Capt. Ebi Sibe, Grandmaster Peremobowei Okpe, among others have diverse view on the matter, supporting King Pereama Freetown's decision to quit night burial. They reiterated that King Pereama has tried his best in the ljaw music industry and that his decision to quit night burial ceremony is for our own good to enjoy him more in the future.

However, the protesting fans and lovers of ljaw owigiri highlife music has used this medium appealed to the governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, ljaw leaders, ljaw illustrious sons and daughters as well as other critical stakeholders to intervene on the matter and plead with King Pereama Freetown to rethink his decision, adding that ljaw nation are yet to enjoy the feel of good music from him, the statement added.

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, our reporter try every possible means to reach out to King Pereama Freetown JP, in order to hear from him of the latest development remains abortive because he didn't pick call neither respond to text messages.

Just-ln: Chakanda Bridge connecting Nigeria and Benin Republic collapsed

Just-ln: Chakanda Bridge connecting Nigeria and Benin Republic collapsed

 

The International Bridge connecting Nigeria and Benin Republic in Chakanda, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has collapsed, following a heavy downpour which began midnight on Sunday and continued till Monday.

The collapsed bridge which was constructed in 2010 during the administration of former Governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki could no longer contain the volume of water that flooded it during the downpour.

Meanwhile, socio-economic activities between the two countries along that border have been temporarily halted.

Some of the commuters who spoke want quick intervention of both countries in the interest of sustainable business activities.

Reacting to the development, the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umar Usman Seriki called on the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Kwara State Government to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the people in the area so as to find urgent solution to the collapsed bridge.

One of the residents of Yashikira, Mallam Lafia Gunu said the situation was worrisome as his mother; Hajia Halima Lafia who travelled to Benin Republic is now stranded there due to the collapsed bridge.

He appealed to the authorities concerned to urgently embark on the repairs of the bridge or put in place an alternative route for commuters to ply particularly those who earn their daily living along that route.

In his reaction, the Federal Controller of Works overseeing Kwara, North Central Nigeria, Engineer Kayode Ibrahim disclosed that his men have already embarked on an assessment trip to ascertain the level of damage and to find a temporary solutions.

Engineer Ibrahim said the staff of the Federal Ministry of Works would check the environment while the outcome of their visit would determine their next line of action.

He however, assured residents that an immediate solution shall be provided because of the economic importance of the bridge to both countries.

Singer Harrysong Dares God, says God Does Not Live In Heaven

Singer Harrysong Dares God, says God Does Not Live In Heaven 

Nigerian singer, Harrysong has stated that one can not be in a location and later create that same place, hence God is not in Heaven according to Gen 1.1.

He noted this on his Instastories in the early hours of Wednesday.

Harrysong quoted Gen. 1.1 in the Bible, and urged people not to just read, but “study, think and do research.”

Emphasising the aforementioned Bible verse, the singer maintained that heaven was not God’s home.

He said:

“Genesis 1-1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

How possible for you to be in a location and later create that location?

Don’t just read.. study, think, research.”

In a related news, Nigeria cleric, Abel Damina, a few hours ago argued that the statement: “Clap for Jesus/God” is not a way of worship from the Bible.

King Pereama Rejoice with Tompolo, Hails FG, Sylva, Adokiye, others for a Job Well Done

King Pereama Rejoice with Tompolo, Hails FG, Sylva, Adokiye, others for a Job Well Done

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa______ As Niger Deltans continue to celebrate with their illustrious son, the ljaw Owigiri Highlife Music Maestro, King Pereama Freetown JP, the Numupere ll of lzon-lbe, has added his voice with other well wishers across the globe to congratulate and rejoice with the former Niger Delta Warlord, High Chief Priest. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, on his recent award of Oil Pipeline Surveillance Contract by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He also extended his heartfelt appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, Chief. Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Adokiye Tombomeleye, the Group Executive Director, Upstream and other top officials of NNPC for facilitating the new deal with Tompolo and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

King Pereama Freetown JP, released the congratulatory message to the press in Yenagoa, the Jarusalem of ljaw Nation on Sunday, stated that President Buhari led administration has taken the best decision so far, in reviewing and awarding the pipeline surveillance job to Tompolo, stressing the man has the experience, capacity, voltage and the connections to deliver on the assignment given him.

He noted that Tompolo is a house hold name, Mr integrity, a man of his words, tested and trusted. He will make Nigeria and the Niger Delta Region proud by making sure oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism is drastically reduced to the barest minimum if not completely stopped.

However, King Pereama Freetown JP, has pleaded with ljaw nation, especially ex-agitators as well as other critical stakeholders to cooperate and unite with Tompolo in order to remediate our battered environment by the activities of illegal bunkers in the riverine communities.

Tompolo to Engage over 25,000 Youths with Pipeline Surveillance Job

Tompolo to Engage over 25,000 Youths with Pipeline Surveillance Job

Francis Tayor

Warri______ Youths across the Niger Delta Region South-South Nigeria are to be economically empowered as former Niger Delta warlord, High Chief. Government Emkpemupolo alias Tompolo set to engage over twenty five thousand (25, 000) unemployed youths with oil Pipeline Surveillance security job in order to fight illegal bunkering.

This was disclosed on Friday in Oproza, headquarters of Gbaramantu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, during a meeting with the leadership of various communities, clans, stakeholders, youth bodies amongst others from the various ethnic groups in the region.

Addressing the mammoth crowed at the pavellion in Oproza, Tompolo said the essence of the meeting was to inform them of government readiness to completely stop oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta riverine communities.

He made them to understand that illegal bunkering had caused more harm to the people's health and the region than a blessing. He noted that the activities of illegal oil bunkering has polluted our rivers and lands beyond remediation. 

" Go home and tell your brothers and sisters who are unto illegal oil bunkering to henceforth stop and go into other businesses, stressing that it is for their own good and for the interest of everybody living in the region, Tompolo stated.

It will be recall that last week, the Federal Government has renewed a multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

The Federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited reportedly signed the deal with Tompolo to end illegal bunkering, illegal refining, and other forms of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

A source was quoted as saying Tompolo held a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in his Oporoza country home in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State on Wednesday. He said a mammoth crowd of stakeholders from the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa State, turned up for the meeting. He said the number in attendance was over 5000.

According to the source, the deal with the ex-militant who has great knowledge of the creeks is worth over N4billion monthly. The source was quoted as saying that the duties of the former MEND commander will be to monitor and oversee other surveillance contracts, contractors and their activities in the entire Niger Delta.

He said it was a similar role Tompolo played during the former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan when Diezani Alison-Madueke was the Minister of Petroleum.

“The government merely reviewed and restored his old contract. Before the cancellation of his contract, the arrangements he put in place tackled illegal bunkering and increased production quota to over two million barrels per day. But the new government cancelled the contract, declared him wanted and he was later exonerated of all wrongdoings.

They have realised the need to bring him back because currently, the country is losing over 500,000 barrels per day to illegal bunkering” he said

The source said the new deal was brokered by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva and some NNPC top officials including the Group Executive Director, Upstream, Adokiye Tombomelye. According to the source, NNPC as a new profit-making venture was determined to curb all illegal activities affecting its operations and making it run at a loss every month.

He named persons at the meeting as former presidents of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Udengs Eradiri and Eric Omare; priests of Egbesu, Ijaw religious organisation, led by Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei; leaders of all youth groups in the Niger Delta, heads of notorious cult groups in the region among others.

He said prominent among those in attendance were former unit commanders of MEND such as Eris Paul, aka General Oguboss; Pius Wareyal, aka General Pius; Joshua Macaiver, Pastor Reuben Wilson, Young Shall Grow and all the second phase “generals”.

Botu Calls for unity among Niger Deltans, Salutes Tompolo on Surveillance Contract

Botu Calls for unity among Niger Deltans, Salutes Tompolo on Surveillance Contract

By Ndu Samuel 

Revered Niger Delta youth leader who is the head of surveillance Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Prince Emmanuel Botu, popularly known as (Olotu) on Friday stated that the unity of Niger Deltans is Key to the region's development.

Prince Botu made the assertion yesterday in Warri while marking his glowing birth anniversary, stressing that his birth anniversary wishes is that apart from his self development, he wishes to see a more developed Niger Delta and Ijaw nation. 

However, the Niger Delta youth leader and renowned philanthropist noted that he is thankful to the Lord Almighty to enable him see his birth anniversary, stressing that he will continue to be indebted to God for all the good things in his life so far. 

Speaking further, the Olotu as he is popularly called has charged Niger Deltans to genuinely love themselves and not betraying themselves before others in the Nigerian state, adding that such behaviour has greatly hampered the progress of the region. 

Nevertheless, he stated that the stagnated development in the region over the years is mostly caused by lack of unity and genuin love among Niger Deltans.

Prince Emmanuel Botu had also added his voice to that of other good spirited Nigerians in congratulating High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo on the recent award of a pipeline surveillance security contract by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Olotu had expressed optimism that Tompolo will no doubt deliver fully in handling the Surveillance Contract by securing the pipelines, maintaining that such development deserved to be commended. 

Meanwhile, rejoicing over the birth anniversary celebration of the young and visionary Niger Delta Prince, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill who is the President of Delta Ijaw Comrade Community (DICC) had described Botu as a blessing to Niger Delta. 

Amb. Princewill continued that he has several reasons to celebrate Prince Emmanuel Botu because he has used his body and personal resources over the years in contributing towards the growth and development of the Niger Delta region. 

Princewill asserted that he will always celebrate and encourage any Niger Deltan that has been contributing meaningfully towards the region's development, stressing that Botu is one of such personage that has been silently adding value to the region's development, stating that his good deeds has been under reported over the years. 

He noted that through his contacts, Prince Botu has empowered and secured the employment of several Niger Delta youths into commissions and ministries in Abuja, praying that the Lord Almighty shall continue to guide, protect and give him long life and prosperity. 

Wayles Marks late Mother's 3rd Anniversary, Greets Gov. Okowa, Diri, others

Wayles Marks late Mother's 3rd Anniversary, Greets Gov. Okowa, Diri, others

...... As Anglican Bishop Says, the High Chief's Mother Left A Lasting Legacy

 ....Tasks Christians On Humility, Service To God And Humanity.

By Victor Bieni, Patani

The Chairman, DE WAYLES  GROUP OF COMPANIES, High Chief Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore (JP) has Commended all those who attended the Thanksgiving Service to mark the 3rd Year Anniversary Memorial Service of his departed Mother, Deaconess (Mrs) Magdalene Zipuamere Egukawhore (Nee Okoro)  today at St. Matthew Anglican Church, Patani, Delta State.

The business mogul disclosed this to the media today being  Sunday, 14th day of August, 2022 at St  Matthew Anglican Church, Patani, Delta State as DE WAYLES GROUP OF COMPANIES Boss, High Chief Wayles honors beloved departed mother for the lasting legacy she left behind for him, his siblings and the society at large.

Recall that Late Deaconess (Mrs) Magdalene Zipuamere Egukawhore (Nee Okoro) passed on as a devout Christian and dedicated Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, whose lives, service to humanity has left a lasting and indelible footprint, at  the age of  77 years (28th August, 1942 -15th August, 2019). High Chief Wayles also said that these yearly remembrance activities are meant to immortalize his beloved mother.

Speaking at the Thanksgiving Service, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Reverend Victor Ebipade Okporu, extolled the qualities of his departed mother whom he described as an exceptionally virtuous woman who had left good legacy and impacted positively on the lives of all those who came in contact with her during her lifetime. 

The Anglican Bishop represented by Venerable Simeon E. O. Ariye, Cathedral Supervisor, who dwelt on the topic: "The Greatest Gifts", while delivering his sermon using biblical quotations admonished Christians to have good minds, the qualities of a child; humble themselves like children and reconcile with everyone that has offended them to make themselves acceptable to God, and express the good image of God.  

While drawing more illustrations from some Biblical quotations: The book of 1st Samuel Chapter 18, and Mark 9 verse 41, the Clergyman, also stressed  the need for Christians to make human capital development very imperative in their lifestyle, by supporting the less-privileged citizens, Christians and the work of God for societal development, growth and development of Humanity.

At the Thanksgiving Service, the Marine, Construction and Oil Magnate who spoke on behalf of the family  commended the church, Clergymen for their support, His Excellency Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, ably represented by his SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah and His Excellency, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri represented by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Commissioners, Executive council members and other top government funtionaries, dignitaries across the Niger-Delta and Nigeria in general,  for their  attendance as he promised to key into the call  for human capital development and support for the less-privileged citizens raised by the officiating clergyman.

He noted that the next Anniversary memorial service of his beloved mother will be a replica of practical exhibition of God's call for human capital development, a norm he said will continue as he give God all the glory for today's Thanksgiving Service. He commended those that came from far and near even as he hosted the people, guests with sumptuous entertainment, wishing them safe journey to their various destinations.

Others in attendance  during memorial Thanksgiving Service were: HRM of Kabowei, Okpolo (Enhwe) and Obotebe Kingdoms,

 High Chief Tunde Smooth, Chief (Evang.) Johnbull Ejovi, High Chief Enahoro Eta, Chief (Barr) Kingsley Esiso (Delta State PDP Chairman),

Chief of Staff to Governor (Sen.) Ifeanyi Okowa, Rt. Hon Ovie Festus Agas, Chief (Dr) Mrs. Stella Aganwu, Dr. Barry Gbe, Sir Clement Moni, Hon. Dan Yingi, Surv. Elias Ovesuor, Chief Tony Okoh, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Prof. Chris Akpotu and Executives of Isoko Development Union, Olorogun Fred Majemite, Dr. McCarthy Ijibor, Dr. (Engr.) Daniel Omoyibo, Chief Peter Asagba, Chief Frank Omare, Hon. (Chief) Michael Okah (Commissioner of Transportation), Hon. Godspower Asiuwhu (Commissioner of Environment), Chief Patrick Abe, Kingsley Ogedegbe, Capt Gabriel Brobor, Management and Staff of First Bank of Nigeria and other Banks, James Welch Old Boys Association, former and serving commissioners, Members of the State Executive Council, Community leaders, Clergymen and members of  Anglican Church to mention but a few.

Speaking to newsmen at his residence during the reception organized for  Guests after the Thanksgiving Service, High Chief Wayles then eulogized his  beloved mother. He said: "My beloved mother was a devout Christian, a loving, dedicated, a humanitarian and a great example to Womanhood and a great personality  whose life affected in no small measure, her children, Communities and the society at large".