A former chairman of Oporoza community, the traditional headquarters of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Amb. Labort Tonfawei, has commended the Pere of the Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba; High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, Mr. Matthew Tonlagha and other stakeholders for their untiring efforts in canvassing for the passage of the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko.

The former chairman's commendation is coming in the light of the recent signing and passing into law of the NMU bill by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Tonfawei further stated that the NMU bill passage will help to not only boost the Infrastructural development of the kingdom but that it will also serve as cost-saving to the Gbaramatu people in sending their wards to other maritime institute.

While applauding stakeholders for their positive contributions towards the successful signing of the NMU bill into law, Tonfawei noted that such personalities are deserving of honour for the milestone achieved.

He said,"I am grateful to our royal majesty and traditional father, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba, our Pere of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, for his fervent prayers for the growth and development of the Kingdom.

"I thank our Niger Delta foremost leader, High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo AKA Tompolo, the Izon Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, for his vision that gave birth to the NMU and for expending resources to ensure the maritime school stay its course.

"I also salute all other stakeholders such as Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, High Chief Dr. Godspower Gbenekama (JP), Chief (Barr.) Bosin Ebikeme, the national assembly members, Senator Joel Onowakpo and Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi among others for their pursuing the bill to its logical conclusion.

"The signing of the NMU bill into law has finally laid to rest our agitations and it will interest you to know that the maritime school, which is first of its kind, will usher in more development to the kingdom asides giving our children the opportunity to become professionals in the maritime sector.

"Another of the advantages in having such a school near by is that it will help us to save money in sponsoring our children to faraway places for their maritime education.

"This is indeed a commendable development and it is worth giving honours to its facilitators," Tonfawei added.

#penglobalcommunity #NMU #Gbaramatu #Delta