Ogheneruona Tejiri, Oporoza
As the the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South West Local Government Area brings their annual cultural festival of Amasiekumor to a close weekend, Chief Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and Comr. Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) called on Nigerians to live in peace, unity and harmony.
They made the call during the grand finale of the festival at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a chat with journalists, Chief Keyamo said that the festival which is celebrated by the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom brings peace and harmony amongst the ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region.
He stressed that like the Argungun Festival in Sokoto State, the Amaseikumor Festival being celebrated by the People of Gbaramatu Kingdom stands for peace, unity and harmony.
According to the Minister, “Amaseikumor Festival represents the people of Niger Delta. We must do everything as a people to preserve our culture and traditions. This is our identity as a people.
“This is more than just a celebration. It is about identity, unity, and peace. Festivals like Amaseikumor reminds us of the strength in our cultural roots. We must preserve these traditions as they foster harmony among our people. Let’s live in peace and unity.”
Also in a chat, Comr. Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, National President, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) commended the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom for yearly organizing the Amaseikumor Festival.
While noting that it is a way of preserving the Nigerian culture, Comr. Yahaya called on various ethnic groups and tribes in the country to showcase their culture to the world.
He added that Nigerians should promote things that will bring unity, oneness and harmony to the country.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)also prayed God almighty to give the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom the strength to sustain their culture through the Amaseikumor Festival.
Comr. Yahya lauded Gbaramatu people for their commitment to cultural preservation, just as he emphasized the media’s role in promoting peace and unity.
According to Comr. Yahya, “culture is the soul of any people. By celebrating who we are, we build bridges of understanding and unity among Nigeria’s diverse population. This festival is a lesson in unity that should be replicated Nationwide.
Also speaking, Comr. Sheriff Mulade, an Environmental Rights activist said that the essence of the festival is to promote peace amongst the Ijaw Nation and the people of Nigeria.
Chief Mulade called on politicians in the country to take advantage of the festival by promoting peace, unity and oneness among the people instead of crisis and war.
According to Chief Mulade, “it is important for us to work as a people in unity because there will be peace across the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
Oporoza Community, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom was agog as top government officials that includes Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum, an array of Members of House of Representatives that includes Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Donald Ojogor, tourists, an array of first class monarchs across Nigeria, David Adeleke aka Davido with other entertainers and celebrities, traditional and culture enthusiasts and worshippers joined the people of Gbaramatu in the celebrations.
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