On Tuesday, the 2nd day of May 2023, families, friends, and other well-wishers of the Bebenimibo family, gathered at Okerenkoko Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, for a peaceful rally to mark the 20th year anniversary in memory and honour of one of the Niger Delta fallen heroes, the Late Apst. Aaron Bebenimibo, also known as 'The Bull of the Niger Delta Struggle'.

Tall, handsome, and dark in complexion are three physical traits that those who knew the Late Aaron would generally use to describe the activist. Yet, none of these traits measure up to that of a sacrificial heart the activist possessed and demonstrated in his active role during the conflict at the turn of the millennium that arose from the marginalization and neglect of the Niger Delta region, particularly the oil-rich but impoverished and polluted communities in the creeks.

In the height of the Niger Delta conflict, the administration of the 13th President of Nigeria, Musa Yar'Adua (of blessed memory), offered a presidential amnesty deal to those in the armed struggle, but only coming after many had paid with their dear lives, among them the Late Aaron.

"Today, the 2nd of May 2023 is the 20th year anniversary of our brother, Late Apst. Aaron Bebenimibo," said Amb. Ernest Bebenimibo, a brother of the late activist, while speaking to PENGlobal Community. "He died in the struggle to liberate the people of Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta from political marginalization, oppression, oil pollution, neglect and so many others, from the Nigerian government.

"The reason why we keep celebrating is that the relative peace we have been enjoying as a people in the Ijaw Nation and in the Niger Delta at large was as a result of the sacrifice of our fallen heroes that laid down their lives knowing well that they are going into gun battle with no guarantee of survival," the founder of the Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, added.

Marching in a long procession, majority of the participants in the rally were decked in red T-Shirts branded with the photo of the Late Aaron, while some carried banners of the fallen hero with the inscription 'Late Apst. Aaron Bebenimibo, Odudukurudu, The Bull of Niger Delta Struggle'.

In a long file, the participants marched through the concrete road of Okerenkoko community and chanted solidarity songs, accompanied by drummers and trumpeters before converging at a rally point for other ceremonies.

"Today, we have a member in the Delta State House of Assembly, a deputy governor of Delta State from Gbaramatu Kingdom," said Amb. Ernest as he reels out the benefits brought about by the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes. "We have the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko; Gbaramatu Kingdom is wearing a befitting look with internal roads, though more of private development."

Continuing, he said: "With their struggles we have a vice president, acting president and finally the president of this nation as an Ijaw man from the Niger Delta. With their struggle we have the NDDC, the Niger Delta Ministry, the Amnesty Programme and so many others, and by the special grace of God, more are still coming, though we are yet to attain the greatest height of the struggle," he noted.

Other activities that were held in memory and honour of the Late Aaron include a brief church service, the presentation of tributes by family members, fellow comrades and other well-wishers who praised the heroic stance of the late activist; and a presentation of a book extract about the fallen hero.

Appeals were also made to the leadership of the struggle and the kingdom to give proper recognition to those who laid down their lives, to ensure that their legacies endure the test of time.

Among prominent participants at the 20th anniversary include Chief Kari Deregbegha, Chief Ekomieyefa Uduboh, Chief Simeon Bebenimibo, Chief Mosco Johnny, Snr. Boan. Peter Ebierede German JP (Minister-in-Charge, Bibopere Zion, Okerenkoko), Hon. Beauty Warejouwei, APC Woman Leader; Comr. Ebipade Ekerefe (IYC Spokesperson), Comr. Wilson Uduboh (Executive Chairman, Kurutie Community & IYC, Gbaramatu Clan Chairman), among countless others.

The Late Apst. Aaron Bebenimibo who hails from Okerenkoko Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom was born in 1971 and died in 2003 as a casualty of the Niger Delta struggle. Other Okerenkoko citizens who also died in the struggle include Joshua Akurusa Johnny, Emmanuel Oturubo, Bomby Adonkia, Joseph German, Isaac Ekpebide, Kabaka Ife, Atu Keniye among others.

View photos on PENGlobal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/6BemWa177ijTPq9v/?mibextid=oFDknk

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