A prominent Ijaw political and community leader, Chief James G. Orubu, has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for what he described as the remarkable cultural, political and economic progress recorded in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a press statement titled "Congratulations to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo," Orubu praised Tompolo's commitment to reviving the cultural heritage of the Gbaramatu people, promoting grassroots development, and advancing the long-standing struggle for resource control in the Niger Delta.

According to the elder and native of Opuede Federated Community, Tompolo's emphasis on cultural revival has strengthened the identity of the Gbaramatu people and inspired pride in their heritage.

Orubu noted that understanding and preserving one's cultural roots remains fundamental to the struggle for freedom and self-determination, adding that Tompolo has successfully encouraged the people to reconnect with their traditions.

On the political front, the elder statesman described Tompolo as a "natural political strategist" whose leadership philosophy has been validated by recent political developments in Warri Federal Constituency.

Drawing a comparison with formal political education, Orubu remarked that while many study political science in prestigious institutions, Tompolo learned practical politics in the creeks of Gbaramatu and has demonstrated exceptional leadership through his grassroots-oriented approach.

He said Tompolo's home-based development philosophy, which encourages people to invest in and develop their ancestral communities before seeking opportunities elsewhere, has been vindicated by the recent political census and ward delineation outcomes.

Orubu urged sons and daughters of Gbaramatu Kingdom who have built homes in urban centres to also invest in their native communities, stressing that abandoning the villages contributes to rural-urban migration and weakens community development.

He further commended Tompolo's unwavering advocacy for resource control, describing him as "resource control personified."

According to him, effective protection of the environment and its resources can only be achieved by those who reside within and understand the ecosystem.

"The federal government recognises that those living in the creeks are the true custodians of the environment and the natural resources found there," he stated, adding that Tompolo has consistently championed this awareness for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.

Orubu maintained that Tompolo's creek development policies—including home-based population enumeration, promotion of rural development and environmental protection—have now been vindicated by recent government recognition of community-based census enumeration.

Reflecting on his own political career, Orubu described himself as one of the pioneers of the Warri Ijaw political struggle, and recalled being the first and only Ijaw politician to contest the Warri chairmanship election and challenge its outcome in court, as well as instituting a landmark legal action against the then National Electoral Commission (NEC), which eventually culminated in a Supreme Court victory in the celebrated Orubu vs NEC judgment of December 1988.

The elder statesman appealed to the current political leadership to recognise and honour the sacrifices of veterans who laid the foundation for the struggle, saying such recognition would inspire younger generations to continue serving their people with dedication.

"In the light of the foregoing and more, I was a political war horse of the Warri Ijaws. Now I am old, I therefore deserve some attention from the ruling class. This will encourage the youths that are now serving and who shall be old like me tomorrow that what they are doing shall not be in vain, history will record it," he stated.

Elder Orubu offered prayers for continued wisdom, strength and success on Tompolo in his leadership journey and wished for sustained peace, unity and progress in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri Federal Constituency and the Niger Delta region at large.