It was a massive turnout of guests at the private residence in Warri of the late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, the Pere Gbolu-wei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, during the Service of Songs ceremony that held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, organised in honour of the prominent chief who joined his ancestors on the 11th of October 2023.

Among them are Chief Favour Izoukumor, the Executive Director of Social Services in the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC; Chief Oboko Bello, founder of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC; Chief Oyagha Heavens JP, a former regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom; Chief Samuel Okirika JP, Mr. Ziko Joseph, Engr. Olaye Messiah, Mrs. Beauty Warejouwei, and Mrs. Fanty Wariyai.

Among ministers in attendance are Rev  and Mrs Jethro Ayemobuwa of the Life Church of God Ministry, Rev. Emmanuel Imeleye of the Four Square Gospel Church International, and Rev. Prophet Dr. Joseph Irawo JP of the Zion Land of Canaan Ministry International, AKA Land of Milk and Honey, and Rev. Amb. Dr. Johnson Bibogha of the Akikoromo Zion C&S Church and Chairman of Gbaramatu Ibe Gbolei.

The Rev. Ayemobuwa of the Life Church of God Ministry, in a sermon titled 'Where Else After Death?' and with words of admonition taken from the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, charged those in attendance to note that such ceremony is organised for the living to avail them with the opportunity for self-reflection as the present life lived by humans has a termination point but which is not the end as hereafter two destinations: Heaven or Hell, awaits all.

The sermon was thereafter capped with the taking of offering and a prayer offering for the Pere Gbolu-wei's family by Rev. Imeleye.

Earlier, the brief ceremony that was anchored by Amb. Ernest Bebenimibo, founder of the Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation (EBF), witnessed praise session, a Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 taken by a daughter of the late Pere Gbolu-wei, Mrs. Seigha Pondi, presentation of the biography by the eldest son, Mr. Godbless Governor, titled: 'A Brief Biography of the Late Boanerge High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, The Pere Gbolu-wei of Gbaramatu Kingdom (1953 - 2023)', which reads as follows:

"This is the life history of late Boan. High chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, popularly known as JOGOF; who was born on the 12th day of March 1953, to the families of late Pa Governor Deregbanghan of Ibu-elei  and Okiri Idumu (Quarters) in Okerenkoko community, Warri South West L.G.A and Sen-ware Quarters in Izon-burutu of Burutu L.G.A and to late Mrs. Alu Governor (Nee Ebiboh) of Lotie-biri and Pere-biri (Quarters) in Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Warri South-West L.G.A, all of Delta State, Nigeria.

"The Late Boanerges, High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, attended L.A Primary School, Okerenkoko, from 1969 to 975, where he obtained his first school leaving certificate. He later attended Ogidigben Grammar school from 1975 to 1977.

"The Late High chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, a young but highly energetic man, took to fishing as his primary occupation immediately after his secondary school education.  The Late High chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan in his pursuit of life, found love and entangled. He got married to his first wife, Late Mrs. Margaret Poribagha Governor of Okri-Idumu in Okerenkoko community in the year 1979 and later married five more wives and was blessed with many children.

"The Late High chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, a year before marriage in 1978, worked with Sedeco Forest Company as a Dingi driver (speed-boat driver). He returned to the education sector but this time as an auxiliary teacher in Local Authority School (L.A), now known as Okerenkoko primary school; it was only a brief stint, from 1981 to 1982. He also taught at Oboro Grammar School, Benikrukru in 1983. He worked briefly as a local transporter between the years 1983 and 1984. He later returned to his community Okerenkoko, to continue with his predominant occupation of fishing before he ventured into the petroleum business. His love for the marine transportation business made him obtain some formal training in the sector.

"In the year 1986, the late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, relocated to the City of Warri in search of greener pastures, where he ventured into different businesses. He later became a local contractor at the Odidi oil field. He was also a Heli-deck contractor as a partner.

"In 1998, the late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, was majorly a petroleum product supplier up till 2012. He became a full-time businessman and contractor to various companies and government agencies. He was the Chairman and Chief Executive officer (CEO) of JOGOF Nig. Ltd, Joblessebi Nig. Ltd and the renowned Teebilos Hotel Ltd, Warri, Delta State.

"The late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan was a key player in community development. He was appointed Defense Chairman to Okerenkoko community. He also acted in the capacity as Special Adviser to the community group, Okerenkoko Febagha Ogbo and one of the board of trustees in the community.

"During the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan was a major proponent of the struggle, who contributed vastly to the fight against the oppression, underdevelopment, exploitation and marginalization of his Niger-Delta people by the Nigerian Federal Government and Multi-national Companies in the region. As a bona-fide son of the soil, who had an undeniable love for his people, he supported the struggle physically, mentally, financially and otherwise, to see that his own community Okerenkoko Federated in Gbaramatu Kingdom and Niger Delta at large, is liberated from every ill treatment meted on his region.

"In the year 2008, April precisely, the late Boan. High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan was conferred with the traditional title as the Pere Gbolu-wei (traditional prime minister) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, by the then King Ogei Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba of Gbaramatu kingdom, due to his zeal to serve, protect his people and his contribution towards humanity, with his deeds in sponsoring youths in different schools, empowering of men and women in their trades or businesses. His kind heart towards his people cannot be over emphasized. His deeds can't be forgotten.

"The late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan, was a dedicated member of Cherubim and Seraphim. He worshipped at the Bibopere Zion Church, aka Solution Centre in Okerenkoko Federated Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, up till 1989. He became an ordained minister of the Church by St Elisha Leno (of blessed memory, King of Zion the 1st), with the approval of St Adam Bolei, the then minister (Pastor) in charge of the church.

"Due to his dedication to the work of God in the church, he was later promoted to the position of Boanerges, by St I. O. Jemine (of blessed memory, King of Zion the 2nd). He participated actively in the activities of the ministry. He later became a member of Christ Mercy Land and Deliverance Ministry. He was actively involved towards the early growth of the ministry and was made one of the elders in the church by the founder, Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Funfeyin. He was also highly dedicated to the things of God in his service to the church till his last day on earth.

"The late High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan served his family, community, kingdom, humanity and God from the depth of his heart. Death, no matter how much we all run from it, is a visitor that visits anyone without pre-information. Nature has it that, the late Boan, High Chief Jonathan Tukutu Governor Deregbanghan would answer the call of death, only after a brief illness on the 11th of October 2023. 

"He is survived by five (5) wives, thirty-one (31) The brief ceremony that was anchored by Amb. Ernest Bebenimibo, founder of the Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation (EBF), began few minutes past 4pm and witnessed praise session, a Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 taken by a daughter of the late Pere Gbolu-wei, Mrs. Seigha Pondi, and the biography read by the eldest son, Mr. Godbless Governor. and thirteen (13) grandchildren.

"May his humble and gentle soul rest in the Bossom of the Lord. Amen."

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