TOM POLO, AGADAGBA, HOSTS AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI’S ROYAL TRAIN TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CULTURAL FIESTA IN GBARAMATU

A Night of Drums, Dance, Brotherhood and the Renewed Spirit of Ijaw Unity

Deep in the historic creeks of Gbaramatu, where the waters carry centuries of Ijaw history and the land holds the footprints of generations of warriors, an extraordinary evening of culture, friendship and brotherhood unfolded.

It was a night when tradition took centre stage, drums spoke the language of the ancestors, and two prominent sons of Ijaw land, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Da Amakiri Tubo , Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, the Amanyanabo of Chiefdom and Principalities of The Source, Elem Kalabari
evening in the company of their kinsmen.

The evening began quietly with dinner, but Gbaramatu had something special waiting for its distinguished visitors.

Chairs were arranged in a circle, creating an intimate setting that reflected the communal spirit of the Ijaw people. One after another, high chiefs, the Gbaramatu monarch, respected elders, prominent personalities and townspeople arrived. The drummers came prepared, the dancers were ready, and an air of expectation settled over the gathering.

Nothing was left to chance. The people of Gbaramatu had planned a fitting welcome, and they intended to make it memorable.

Interestingly, the principal business that brought the royal delegation to Gbaramatu had already been successfully concluded.

Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari and his entourage had come to formally invite the Agadagba of Gbaramatu to Se Diye, scheduled for December 19, 2026. The invitation was warmly received, and the Agadagba promised to attend. Mission accomplished.

With the serious business of the visit in the bag, the evening belonged to culture, friendship and celebration.

And what a celebration it became!

The Gbaramatu cultural dancers opened the performances with a spirited display of traditional songs, energetic movements and beautifully coordinated dance routines. They had large numbers. Very intimidating.

For approximately 45 minutes, they entertained an appreciative home crowd, drawing applause and admiration as they demonstrated the richness of Gbaramatu’s cultural heritage.

Their performance was impressive, but the evening was about to take another exciting turn.

Enter the legendary Ogele Boys of Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari!

Seasoned performers who have accompanied the Amanyanabo across Nigeria, the Ogele troupe brought their unmistakable rhythm, infectious energy and remarkable coordination to the gathering.

For more than 30 minutes, they commanded everyone’s attention.

Their songs rose above the night air, their drums maintained a compelling rhythm, and their movements flowed with the confidence of men who have spent years perfecting their craft.

The audience was spellbound.

If the Gbaramatu dancers had ignited the evening, the Ogele Boys ensured that the cultural fire burned even brighter.

Together, both groups delivered a magnificent celebration of Ijaw identity.

Ijaw traditional dancing is not for the faint-hearted. It is a vigorous expression of rhythm and movement, where the head, shoulders, waist, hands and feet appear to answer the drums in perfect agreement.

Even those seated could hardly resist the temptation to clap, sing along or sway to the music.

And right there, in the middle of this cultural spectacle, sat two men enjoying the simple pleasures of an extraordinary evening.

Tompolo, Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, was dressed in his familiar casual style, wearing his trademark face cap, black jeans, a T-shirt and white Crocs.

There was no elaborate display of wealth or power. He appeared completely at ease in the company of his brothers.

Like his royal guest, Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, he drank only water.

The men exchanged jokes, shared laughter and applauded the performers with genuine delight.

For those precious hours, the atmosphere was relaxed and informal. The evening offered an opportunity to enjoy the company of old friends, celebrate a shared heritage and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood.

Far away from the noise and pressures of public life, deep within the sacred waterways of Gbaramatu, something beautiful was taking place.

It was as though the ancestral spirits of the land were bearing witness to a renewed sense of unity and common purpose among the sons of Ijaw land.

The gathering carried a significance beyond the colourful performances.

Here were men whose paths had been shaped by the struggles, sacrifices and aspirations of the Niger Delta, sitting together in peace, sharing stories and enjoying the cultural treasures of their people.

It was a celebration of friendship, mutual respect and the enduring ties that bind the Ijaw nation.

A ROYAL ENTOURAGE OF DISTINGUISHED IJAW PERSONALITIES

Accompanying Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari on this memorable visit were four of his children: Princess Nene Amirah Dokubo-Asari, Chief Dienyefa Dokubo-Asari, Chief Amieyeofori Dokubo-Asari and Hassan Dokubo-Asari.

The royal entourage also included several prominent personalities.

Among them was Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, Paramount Head of the Queen Elebabene Da Ogo Group of Houses and Satellite Communities of the Kalabari Kingdom.

Also present were Alabo Otonye Williams, Amadabo of Mbiama Kingdom, Alabo Ala Hart, Vice President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Alabo Lawrence Danagogo, Alabo Daerefa Braide and Alabo Jude Tabai.
How can I forget the billionaire business man, Chief Tunde Smooth.

Others included Dennis Braide, Chief of Protocol, Bright Isokariari, Special Assistant on Media, Godswill Iyalla, and, of course, Al Humphrey Onyanabo, the storyteller, who was there to witness and preserve the memories of this remarkable gathering.

Each personality brought a distinct presence to an evening that celebrated the dignity, heritage and shared identity of the Ijaw people.

WHEN THE DRUMS FINALLY RESTED

Long before midnight, the festivities came to a close.

The royal entourage had an early departure scheduled for 6 a.m. the following morning. But we had to stay back a few hours to witness the Egbesu worship service which is story for another day.

Ahead lay a long boat journey through the winding waterways to Warri, followed by the onward trip to Obuama.

But while the visitors would eventually leave Gbaramatu behind, the memories of that evening would travel with them.

The music, the dancing, the laughter, the warmth of their hosts and the unmistakable spirit of brotherhood had created something worth remembering.

For Tompolo and Amanyanabo Dokubo-Asari, the gathering offered another opportunity to renew the bonds of friendship and shared heritage.

For the people of Gbaramatu, it was an occasion to showcase their hospitality, their traditions and their pride in being Ijaw.

And for everyone privileged to witness it, the evening was a reminder that the strength of a people lies not only in their history of struggle but also in their capacity to come together, celebrate one another and find common ground.

The drums may have fallen silent, the dancers may have retired, and the royal boats may have departed, but the echoes of that beautiful evening will linger.

Gbaramatu gave us more than a cultural fiesta. It gave us memories of brotherhood, friendship and a shared heritage that no distance can erase.

And long after the last boat has disappeared into the creeks, Gbaramatu will remain in our hearts.

Al Humphrey Onyanabo
The Storyteller,
08109975621