2025 Amaseikumor Festival Concludes in Grand Style, Reveals Gbaramatu Kingdom's Legacy
By Ezekiel Kagbala
The auspicious Amaseikumor Festival, a celebration of the rich cultural heritage in the Niger Delta region, led by the achient Gbaramatu Kingdom, concluded on Friday, April 25th, 2025 in a grand style, showcasing the kingdom's legacy and its commitment to ethnic unity and cultural preservation.
The festival, which took place in Oporoza, the heart of the Warri-South-West Local Government Area, attracted thousands of attendees, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, SAN, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Federal Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande were among top dignitaries that graced the grande finale of the annual Amaseikumor festival of Gbaramatu Kingdom, with call for national unity.
Members of the House of Representatives including Honourables Thomas Ereyitomi, Ben Etanabene, Julius Pondi, Fred Agbedi, and 40 others were also in Gbaramatu Kingdom to celebrate with the people.
The grand finale of the week-long festival kicked off just before noon Friday, with the arrival of traditional rulers across the Niger Delta, led by His Royal Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, Pere of the Gbaramatu Kingdom at the pavilion in Oporoza, headquarters of the kingdom.
Other monarchs were the Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I; the Dein of Agbor, Keagborekuzi I; the Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw-Ibe, Opukutu III; the Pere of Gbanraun, Gbanraun X Agadagba; the Perebof Iduwini, Ogiobo IX; the Agadagba of Tubotoru, Okirimini I; the Agadagba of Okomu, Kalasuo III ; the Agadagba of Olodiama, Alagbabunafa III; the Ebenenawei of Ogulagha, Torububuo I; the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh; the Ovie of Uvwie, Abe I; Ovie of Idjerhe, Udurhie I; Ovie of Okere-Urhobo, Owhotemu II, among others.
Addressing reporters, Keyamo charged Nigerians to utilise culture and tourism to sustain peace and national unity in the country. "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.” he said.
At about 2pm, the long awaited Amaseikumo Masquerade accompanied by other masquerades, sauntered into the arena, with hundreds of followers, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, Egbesu Chief Priest and the Chairman of Tantita Security Services and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, on the entourage.
Amaseikumo, an ancient riverine deity whose celebration dates back to “14AD, means good living.” The festival, it is believed, would bring peace, unity, prosperity and protection to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, led other executive members and the Delta State Council of the union to the ceremony.
On his part, Comrade Yahya lauded Gbaramatu Kingdom for their commitment to cultural preservation, just as he emphasized the media’s role in promoting unity.
“Culture is the soul of any people. By celebrating who we are, we build bridges of understanding among Nigeria’s diverse population. This festival is a lesson in unity that should be replicated nationwide,” he asserted.
Also, notable Niger Delta environmentalist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, called on Nigeria’s political leaders to take a cue from cultural gatherings such as the Amaseikumor Festival to promote peaceful coexistence rather than divisiveness.
Our political elites must leverage events like these to foster dialogue and unity. A united Niger Delta means a peaceful Nigeria. We must work together as one people to overcome our challenges.”
President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, the leaderships of the Ijaw Youth Council, the Urhobo Progress Union and the UPU Youthwing, were among ethnic nationality groups present at the occasion.
Towards the end of the ceremony King of Afrobeats, Davido Adeleke, Obi Cubana, Kaycee, E-money, Kanayo O Kanayo amongst others made a grand entry into the Arena.
