The need for Gbaramatu Kingdom to be a part and to benefit from emerging industrial revolution has been echoed by an elder and leader, Chief James Orubu, who called for the "declaration of a State of Emergency on Education" in the kingdom, as among solutions that will address challenges limiting its participation in a fast-changing world.

The call is contained in an exposition written by the leader from Opuede Federated Community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, titled: "Industrial Revolution: How prepared are we in Gbaramatu Kingdom?" 

Chief Orubu, who noted that the world is fast changing with the developments of telecommunication technology such as Artificial intelligence (AI) in a digital age, revealed that without first addressing the plights of primary and secondary education in the kingdom, the area will be lagging behind.

He said, "Today, the world is moving fast in technology, the velocity is high. It is supersonic. Today, the world has become a global village through telecommunication technology. Knowledge is increasing, fulfilling Bible prophecy.

"The big question arises; where are we in Gbaramatu kingdom? To answer this all-important question, is the plight of our primary and secondary schools. This is the foundation of better education, be it Science or Arts all over the world.

"Ugborugbo Primary School, Opuede, Gbaramatu Kingdom as a Case Study. The teachers collect their salaries without work. The school exists only in name. The deplorable situation demands urgent attention if we must be in the industrial revolution now swooping. The world is going digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum," he maintained.

The Opuede leader hailed High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for his many educational subvention, but clarified that other stakeholders must also join forces with Tompolo to make a huge difference in the education sector.

"Gbaramatu must declare a State of Emergency in this sector. Our indefatigable High Chief, the G.O.C. has tried and is trying, but we need more. We want other philanthropic organizations and goodwill people to support," he clarified.

On the declaration of a state of emergency on education in the kingdom, the Opuede elder suggested the provision of plastic desks and chairs to all schools in Gbaramatu Kingdom; the offer of very attractive incentives for teachers such as free transport for teachers and riverine allowances to faithful teachers; offer of incentives to government school inspectors; the employment of a capable supervisor for supervision of schools and reporting to the Ministry of Education the performances of teachers; the setting up of a School Management Committee consisting of two (2) members from each of the communities hosting a school to oversee the welfare of schools in the kingdom; and the provision of a boat to facilitate easy movement.

According to Chief Orubu, though the above approach is expensive to implement, he however warned that the "urban-rural (rural) migration policy" of the Ijaws would not be effective "if the schools are not functional" stressing that the above "should be done if we want to provide a qualitative education for our children" especially as the benefits are innumerable, one of which he claimed is the preservation of language and culture.

For an easy implementation of the above, the Opuede leader further advocated that "all institutions and companies in the kingdom and beyond should contribute to the initiative" and the hosting of a seminar at Oporoza with the proposed topic: “The Importance of Home-Based Primary and Secondary Education” to be delivered by qualified resource persons for more awareness creation.

"This seminar should be once in every year for 3 years. This should be a part of the corporate social responsibilities of the companies in the kingdom. For the riverine or rural students to be able to meet up with cut off points of universities including our Maritime University, this is unavoidable (sine qua non)," he urged.

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