Ijaw Youths Council Felicitates with Tompolo over his birthday
By Amos Odhe.
The Ijaw Youth Council IYC , has felicitated with the foremost Ijaw leader, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo on his birthday.
A statement signed by the National Spokesman of IYC Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, described Tompolo as a visionary leader, a social engineer and ambassador of peace that has ensured that the youths of the South-South region imbibe and sustain the existing peace in the region.
Ekerefe pointed out that despite attaining the exalted age which is another milestone in the life of any individual, it showed a fitting moment for all Ijaw Youths to reflect on the life style of their hero and re-dedicate their lives for the betterment of the society.
Ekerefe noted that “Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, who is the Odokorikodo 1 of Niger Delta, the Pena Odoko of Ijaw nation, means different things to different youths of the region, who also studied his lifestyle, dedication to the cause of ijaw people, which symbolises the struggle for the upliftment of the ijaw people and communities over the years through philanthropy.
“The people of the region are not surprised about the outpouring of goodwill and best wishes showered where he stands with the people of the Niger Delta.
“We want to also use this opportunity to continue to thank Tompolo for his untiring contributions to the peaceful transition within the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) over the years. We thank him for ensuring an equitable participation of Ijaw Youths, within and outside the council, in the affairs of the state and the region as a whole. We, the Ijaw Youths, are deeply indebted to your exemplary leadership.
“He is our Icon. He represents the struggle of the Niger Delta. His contribution to the struggle to emancipate our people from the oppressive leadership of Nigerian Government. That struggle resulted to an Ijaw man, Goodluck Jonathan, a minority to be president of Nigeria.
“That his contribution attracted the Nigeria Maritime University. His persistent struggles brought about Amnesty Programme. So many of our young ones who would not have gone to university are now graduates. That’s because Tompolo stood his ground to make what is wrong, right.
“The man is always standing for what is right, which is justice for his people. Instead of the Nigerian state to use the excuse of anti-oil theft campaign to invade scores of ijaw communities, he was consulted and we as a people through TANTITA security are checking the cases of crude oil theft thereby promoting participation of the Ijaw communities in security and promotion of safe environment.
“Our prayer is that God will continue to guide and protect him. For us, he is a living legend.
