The ancient kingdom of Gbaramatu, Warri South-West was agog yesterday when the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON led a delegation of some Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum Exco members to Oporoza to pay a courtesy visit on the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM. Oboro-Gbaraun 11(Aketekpe, Agadagba)
The Urhobo monarchs were received at the Oporoza by troupe of dances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw nation
At the magnificent palace, spokesman for Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama described the visit as home coming of brothers who were once part of the Gbaran dynasty. He appealed that the cordial relationship between Ijaws and the Uvwie Kingdom in particular as well as the Urhobos should not be broken and that the visit was a reunion of Gbaran dynasty
Chief Gbenekama said the Ijaws were currently endanger species in Nigeria and that despite the enormous wealth around them they had to fight to get their entitlements unlike other communities who often get government patronage on a platter of gold
He appealed to the Uvwie monarch to consider the Gbaramabu kingdom request to built a mini-palace in Uvwie to cater for the interest of his people while they were prepared to give land in Gbaramatu kingdom for a similar project so as to foster more closer relationship between the two brother kingdoms
Responding, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom thanked the Gbaramatu people for the warm reception saying it was a historical fact that people would always move from one place to another but it was important communities knew their roots
On the request for building a Gbaramatu palace extension in Uvwie, the Uvwie Monarch urged his Gbaramatu brothers to consider a guest house saying that they can only be one palace in a kingdom
The Uvwie monarch stressed the importance of peace saying that investors will always be attracted to communities that were hospitable citing the example of Amsterdam that was literary built on top of water. He said the visit was the beginning of better days ahead and promised to return to Gbaramatu kingdom alone.
Also speaking the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1 noted the massive reception for the Urhobo monarchies despite the short notice, expressing gratitude that the visit was the happening during his lifetime.
He said the visit had also strengthened the ancestral roots between the Ijaws and the Urhobos who would always remain one
Also present were the Ovie of Arhawarien Kingdom, HRM Solomon Okukeren 111, and the Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, HRM Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle, Okorefe 1
In a vote of thanks, the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM Aduo 111 thanked the Urhobo monarchs for the visit promising also better days ahead for the Urhobos and Ijaws in recognition of their ancestral linage
Pictures of Uvwie and Gbaramatu Monarchies as well as High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo
According to some historian, Izon communities and clans in Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo and some Uvwie families are believed to have migrated from Oporoza.
