Thursday, the 23rd day of November 2023, sympathisers joined families and friends of the late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, the Pere Gbolu-wei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, to convey his remains to his hometown, Okerenkoko Federated Community in the Warri South-West Local Government Area, for final burial rites.

The final journey of the late High Chief Governor began from the Safe Haven Mortuary in Okumagba Avenue, to Miller Waterfront near NPA in Warri, where the casket conveying his remains was placed on board a decorated vessel with spaces for passengers and for the Ijaw maestro musician, Chief Abraham Takemebo and his musical band, to provide entertainment through the seven hours journey.

Among personalities that joined the procession from land and through the water are the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Warri South-West constituency, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, Chief Kestin Pondi, and other members of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs.

Also on board is the Chairman of the Gbaramatu chapter of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Mr. Monday Aboh; a former chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Council, Hon. George Ekpemupolo; the chairman of the Gbaramatu Ibe Gbolei, Warri, Rev. Dr. Johnson Bibogha (JP); the chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Comr. Pedro Bekenawei; the chairlady of Ijaw White Ladies, Hon. Gladys Omare; women leaders in the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Madam Beauty Warejouwei and Dcns. Ati Edafe, respectively, among so many others.

As earlier announced by Amb. Ernest Bebenimibo, founder of the Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation, EBF, with music booming on board, at exactly 10am on the dot, the vessel conveying the remains of the Late High Chief Governor departed for its destination as the cruise procession by water slowly headed for its destination, Okerenkoko.

Activities on board the vessel mainly centered on dance from the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs in honour of their departed colleague. The chiefs were joined by the Ijaw white ladies sociocultural group and other women as well as youths who swayed to the melodic tunes of Chief Abraham and his band in lifting up the mood of the children and other family members of the late Pere Gbolu-wei.

In the early hours of the evening, the vessel arrived Okerenkoko to the cheering crowd of sympathisers that had been waiting in the community's concrete jetty for the arrival. The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs took their positions in front of the vessel on arrival to lead the procession on disembarking.

The pall bearers, gliding to the sounds from the trumpeters and drummers, and followed by the large company of the massive crowd, carried the casket housing the remains of the Late High Chief Governor to his residence for the lying-in-state ceremony. What would follow next is the funeral service and a social all night wake-keep ceremony.

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