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Just In: Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi Passes Away, Chief Engr. Pondi Mourns Beloved Father-In-Law
By Divine Perezide
The Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has been plunged into deep sorrow following the passing of their revered patriarch, Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi. The esteemed octogenarian reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, May 1, 2025, as confirmed by his family.
Capt. Elaweremi, who was the oldest living member of the Ayakoromo community residing in Warri, was widely respected for his upright character and positive influence on many across the Niger Delta region during his lifetime.
Of significant note is that the late Elaweremi was the father of Mrs. Blessing Pondi, the beloved first wife of High Chief Engr. Kestin Pondi of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Reacting to the shocking news, Engr. Kestin Pondi expressed his grief and admiration, stating “Late Pa. William Elaweremi was a father figure to me and treated me like a so.” He extended his heartfelt sympathies to his wife Blessing, her siblings, and his cherished mother-in-law, Mrs Beauty Elaweremi. He urged them to find strength in their faith, adding; “Papa is sleeping in the bosom of the Lord his creator.”
Since the announcement of Pa Elaweremi’s death, a steady stream of friends, well-wishers, and sympathizers from both the Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo and the Pondi family of Sokebolou in the Ogulagha Kingdom have gathered at his residence in ijaw Quarters, Bendel Estate, Airport Road, Effurun, Warri, to offer their condolences.
On the first day of mourning, ronowned community figure Chief Kingsley Takemebo, also know as Mienkuro 1, offered musical consolation to Chief Mrs. Blessing Pondi and the entire Elaweremi family, urging them to take heart during this difficult time.
Among the notable individuals who paid condolenc visits were Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, MD of Fenog and Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Engr. Kestin Pondi; Chief Godfrey Pondi, GM of Operations at Tantita; Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, House of Representative member for Burutu Federal Constituency; Chief Kenneth Obogu; Chief Barrister Smooth; Chief Boro Opudu; Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, Delta State House of Assembly member for Burutu North; Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. George Ekpemupolo; Chief Lucky Youbogha; Ambassador Binebai Prince will, IYC Worldwide Spokesman; Chief Ebimobowei Oguma, and several others.
Photo Credit: The Liberator Newspaper
News
DELTA DEVELOPMENT: MULADE URGES GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI TO INDUSTRIALIZE DELTA STATE THROUGH AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE
By Admin
Delta State born environmentalist and development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to adopt a pragramatic approach towards industrializing Delta state.
While stating that leaders all over the world now adopt strategies to harness the resources of their countries for more infrastructural development, job creation and economic growth, translating to wealth creation, Comrade Mulade said Delta State cannot be an exception, especially as the State is richly endowed with human capital and natural resources which are the keys to unlocking the greatness of the State.
The development advocate and the Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-west LGA called on the State Governor to industrialise the State using its agricultural and aqua-cultural endowments. He said “Delta State is greatly endowed with arable land and marine resources that can turn the State into a food basket for local consumption and create revenues via exports while also achieving the aim of diversifying from an oil-dependent economy in the long run.”
The Gbaramatu Chief noted that adopting an agro-based industrialisation strategy would go a long way to creating wealth for the State’s teeming unemployed youths and women. “By engaging them, it will reduce the rate of unemployment and food scarcity, while boosting food sufficiency and its affordability, a key to reducing the poverty index of the State,” he asserted.
He stated that the industrialisation of the State through agriculture and aqua-culture would create opportunities for youths and women, and curtail the wastage of idle human resources and turn them into assets that can contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State.
According to Mulade, “agro-based industrialisation will help to reduce the insecurity challenges and criminal tendencies and immorality prevalent in the society. As the saying goes, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. When the youths and women are meaningful engaged, this will improve peace and reduce anti-social behaviors like armed robbery, prostitution amongst others, and in the long run attract more investors into the State.”
He said apart from crude oil, “the many resources in the riverine areas of the State are greatly untapped especially in the aquacultural sector. The potentials of unemployed youths in the creeks can be tapped thereby turning the coastal areas into exporting zones of seafoods and revenue generation.”
He stated that failure of the State government to meaningfully engage the next generation would amount to societal devastation that would be difficult to recover from as the negative impact would be disastrous.
He, therefore, appealed to the Oborevwori Administration to prioritize the industrialisation of the State through agriculture and aquaculture, as Delta has a lot to benefit in the long run. “This poor areas should be strategically looked into, devoid of politics, for the interest of the future of our dear Delta State.”
Pope Francis dies at 88 from stroke and heart failure, Vatican says: Live updates and reactions
The Vatican announced that Francis died on Monday morning, a day after emerging from convalescence to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter.
Pope Francis greets the faithful in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis greets the faithful at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013. (Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican’s top doctor said Monday. Francis was 88.
The stroke led to a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said in a statement reported by multiple news outlets.
Francis died Monday at 7:35 a.m. at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse at the Vatican where he lived.
In a statement, Arcangeli said Francis also suffered from episodes of respiratory insufficiency and had previously had bilateral pneumonia, as well as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Francis recently spent more than a month in the hospital with double pneumonia. But he emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and make a surprise popemobile ride through the piazza.
It was his last public appearance before his death.
Credit: Dylan Stableford and Katie Mather
By Divine Perezide
The tranquil town of Oporoza in Delta State came alive with vibrant celebrations as the Amaseikumor Festival commenced, transforming the peaceful community into a lively cultural destination. Known for its ancestral significance, the festival drew visitors from across the globe, eager to witness the colorful traditions of the Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Amaseikumor, meaning “no evil should befall the community” in the Gbaramatu Ijaw dialect, is a time-honored celebration dedicated to paying tribute to forebears and divinities, expressing gratitude for harvests, and showcasing the rich customs of the Gbaramatu people. This year’s edition kicked off with remarkable energy, drawing attention from cultural lovers, foreign tourists, and dignitaries from various parts of the world.
The annual event has become a cultural and economic cornerstone for Delta State, significantly boosting tourism and driving local commerce. As festivities began, community members welcomed the large influx of visitors with open arms.
“We are extremely elated to have people from different parts of the world gather here to celebrate our culture and tradition. This festival is a demonstration to the unity and diversity of our people,” residents expressed proudly.
The festival features a wide range of traditional activities, including dance performances, exhibitions of indigenous art, and cultural presentations. A standout moment is the grand parade of the elegant Amaseikumor Masquerade, touted as the king of all Masquerade, where participants don bright, colorful garments and perform traditional dances and rituals that reflect the spiritual and cultural essence of the Gbaramatu people.
Many day 1 attendees were visibly moved by the experience. “I have never witnessed anything like this before, it’s truly a sight to behold,” said a tourist from the United States, visiting the festival for the first time in 2024.
Beyond its cultural impact, the Amaseikumor Festival has also given a significant boost to the local economy. The influx of tourists has led to increased demand for accommodations, traditional cuisine, and locally made crafts. Vendors and small business owners are experiencing a surge in sales, hoping the positive economic ripple continues even after the festival ends.
As the celebrations go on, the people of Gbaramatu are filled with pride, seeing the world engage with their rich traditions. The Amaseikumor Festival continues to stand as a powerful symbol of cultural preservation, community unity, and the beauty of diversity.