The Okerenkoko Youth Development Movement (OYDM) led by its President, Comr. Philemon Bebenimibo, has expressed gratitude to the Pere of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West council area of Delta State, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba; High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, and a host of other stakeholders on the recent signing into law the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU).

The umbrella body of youths in Okerenkoko Federated Community, in their message of gratitude on Saturday, noted that with the NMU bill signed into law, the completion of the permanent site of the NMU will now be the priority of the federal government, which will in turn impact positively on the community by way of job creation, infrastructures, boost revenue among other benefits.

Comr. Bebenimibo in the note of gratitude also praised Tompolo for his visionary ideals in not only nursing and birthing the NMU project, but also playing a pivotal role in its sustenance when the institute was going through challenges.

The youth body also commended other personalities in the Niger Delta region for standing by the Gbaramatu people to advocate for the maritime university. 

Part of the message reads: 

"We, the youths of Okerenkoko Federated Community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, under the umbrella body of Okerenkoko Youth Development Movement (OYDM), led by its President, Comr. Philemon Bebenimibo, hereby convey our message of gratitude to our leaders as regards the signing into law, the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU).

"As host to the NMU's permanent site, we the youths are elated on the recent development which would not have been possible in the absence of the sacrifices made by some of our leaders within and outside the kingdom.

"We are therefore grateful to our traditional father, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba, for his prayers and constant appeal to the federal government.

"We also salute our brother and national leader, High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) for his nursing and birthing the university as his pride. We also thank him for not giving up in the battle to bring higher education to the doorsteps of his people as demonstrated in the long painstaking years of footing some expenses of the school through the Tompolo Foundation.

"We greet all other Gbaramatu sons and daughters too numerous to mention, whose contributions are enormous and have today collectively produced the desired results.

"We are also grateful to all other key stakeholders outside the kingdom for standing by the Gbaramatu people and championing the materialisation of the NMU, a pride to all Niger Deltans.

"After so long in the waiting, Okerenkoko is set to witness positive transformation like it is in other places that play host to tertiary institutions of learning. This development will sure bring about developments in all ramifications such befitting public and private infrastructures as well as opportunities for the youths through job creation," the OYDM President added.

#penglobalcommunity #NMU #Gbaramatu