In a historic moment for the Niger Delta, High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
The landmark decision, made in early 2025, marked the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise that had been a beacon of hope for the people of the region.
For nearly a decade, the Nigeria Maritime University had been in existence, but without a legal framework to enable it to operate at full capacity.
The university, founded in 2014, was a symbol of potential that struggled to take flight, constrained by a lack of legal backing.
However, the signing of the 2025 Act provided the necessary foundation for the institution to thrive and reach its full potential.
In a heartfelt statement, Tompolo, as Ekpemupolo is popularly known, commended President Tinubu for his timely and courageous decision.
“We can’t thank you enough for this heart-warming gesture,” Tompolo wrote in a letter to the President.
The letter, addressed on behalf of the people of the Niger Delta, including the leadership of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, expressed deep appreciation for the historic move that would transform the future of the region and the nation.
For years, the people of the Niger Delta had watched with hope as the university struggled for its legal status.
Tompolo described how, for a decade, the institution had been operating “on life support,” unable to fully realize its potential.
The signing of the bill, he said, was a game-changer, breathing new life into the university and giving it the legal framework necessary to flourish.
Tompolo also emphasized the broader significance of the university’s full establishment, noting that it would not only benefit the Niger Delta but would also have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The university’s development would help close the knowledge gap in the sector, creating employment opportunities and curbing youth restiveness in the region. “This is a victory not just for us, but for the entire nation,” Tompolo remarked.
Reflecting on President Tinubu’s leadership, Tompolo acknowledged that the signing of the maritime university law aligned with the president’s commitment to the development of the South/South zone and his overarching goal of advancing education and innovation across Nigeria.
“Your vision and dedication have given our people renewed hope,” Tompolo continued, highlighting how the law would provide a stepping stone for the region to become a key player in the global maritime industry.
In a touching reminder of President Tinubu’s visit to Oporoza, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, in November 2022, Tompolo recalled the promise the President made to the people.
Tinubu had assured them that, upon his election, he would ensure the university’s legal backing. “This is a promise made and a promise fulfilled,” Tompolo noted, acknowledging that the president had honored his word to the people of the Niger Delta.
Tompolo concluded his message by rallying the people of the region to continue to support the president’s administration and work together to build a brighter future.
“Let us sustain the prevailing peace in our region and unite behind Mr. President to attract more development strides to our zone,” he urged. The establishment of the university was just the beginning, and with collective effort, the people of the Niger Delta could look forward to a future filled with new opportunities.
In the eyes of the Niger Delta’s people, President Tinubu’s decision to sign the law had cemented his place as a true friend of the region. Through this act of courage and commitment, he had given them the gift of a brighter, more prosperous future.
