The Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, High Chief Amb. Dr. Godspower Gbenekama JP, has announced plans to build a three classroom block for the take-off of a primary school in Azama community in honour and memorial of his beloved late wife, Amb. Mrs. Blessing Oghale Gbenekama JP.

The Fiyewei made the announcement at the inauguration ceremony of a new set of Azama community executive council leadership held on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The inaugurated members who are tak8ng over from the Mr. Mark Tamaraenade Oritsejolor-led interim leadership and are expected to pilot the affairs of the riverine community for another three years are: Arthur Gbenekama (Chairman), Layefa Ikpidi (Vice Chairman), Hon. Christopher Omula (Secretary General), Lucky Otutufugha (Assistant Secretary), Rocky Kimawei (Public Relations Officer), Godspower Akori (Financial Secretary), Cecilia Amami (Woman Leader), and Beatrice Meeting (Treasurer).

Among guests in attendance are Chief Emami Azagidi (Amadiwei of Azama), Elder Amos Okoro, Elder (Engr.) Godspine Ebikeme, Chief Matthew Pudie, Chief (Mrs) Mercy Gbenekama, Bishop Felix Piniki, Pastor Akori Ebi Mulade, Hon. Paul Uyatede, Hon. Shadrach Ebikeme, Mr. Truston Gbenekama, Apst. Preye Teibowei, Apst. Steven Epiri, among other personalities.

Earlier, Barr. Friday Emotimide, chairman of Gbaramatu Lawyers Association, performed the swearing-in by reading the oath of office to the executives in the community town hall, in a brief ceremony that was witnessed by community elders, youths and women.

The outgone interim chairman, Mr. Tamaraenade, in his counsel charged the inaugurated exco members to build on existing achievements and continue to promote unity among community members in order to enthrone peaceful coexistence for a viable atmosphere for infrastructural development.

Responding, the Azama chairman, Comr. Gbenekama, in his acceptance speech, on behalf of the exco members, thanked all in attendance for their love of community and appealed to the people of Azama to join hands with them to move the community forward.

He further revealed to the audience that one of the priority project the exco intends to achieve is the establishment of a school in the community, which currently has none, citing the importance of education in community development.

Another major highlight was the inauguration of the youth exco leadership by the Azama Chairman, comprising of Emotongha Amami (President), Hope Omula (Vice President), Franklin Ikpidi (Secretary), Timi Perebo (P.R.O), Justina Meeting (Treasurer), and Precious Gbenekama (Financial Secretary).

Speaking later with PENGlobal Community, the Fiyewei, High Chief Amb. Dr. Gbenekama JP, said the school project, which is to be named "Amb. Mrs. Blessing Oghale Gbenekama JP Memorial Block, Etibo Primary School, Azama" is one of the legacy projects he intends to use to keep alive the memory of his late beloved wife and will serve as a take-off project for the community school.

In his words, "I need to keep my wife's memory alive. I decided to build a block of three classroom. Since there's no primary school in the town, I want to use the memorial block as a take-off building for the proposed primary school and at the same time maintaining the memory of my wife because of the love she has for children, the love she has for education and the love she has for the development of my community.

"So, this project is a take-off block for the proposed school. There is already a staff quarters that can accommodate six teaching staff built by the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) when I was the vice chairman during the Amb. Jude Ukori's tenure as chairman of the Foundation," he added.

Speaking further he used the opportunity to express his gratitude to Niger Deltans and indeed the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom for the show of love during "the trying period of my life" emphasising that his choice of the project is to immortalise his deceased wife because of her total love for his people, children and education.

Recall that the late Amb. Mrs. Blessing Oghale Gbenekama JP passed away after a brief illness on Friday, June 7, 2024, and was laid to rest in Azama community on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

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