Delta community affirms Gbaramatu-Ijaw roots
The people of riverine Kantu (Ikantu) community in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State, have affirmed their Gbaramatu Kingdom ancestry, pledging “loyalty and allegiance” to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HM Oboro Gbaraun II.
Leaders, including Chiefs of Gbaramatu kingdom, who hail from the community, while speaking at a press conference held at the community hall on Friday, said the clarification became necessary following an “age-long misrepresentation” that Kantu is an Itsekiri community.
A statement by the leaders, including Chairman of Kantu Community Working Committee, Mr. Windfree Atemubaghan; Pa. Edwin Atikan Atemubagha, the Ama-Okosuwei of Ikantu; Chief (Lt. Col) S. Economic (Rtd), Seipakumor of Gbaramatu and Clan Chief representing Kantu; Chief Arthur Eyiangho, the Ebiyemeyewei of Gbaramatu; Chief Shola Gbofeyin, the Amadiwei of Kantu; Pa Isaac Meneko, Ikantu Elder; Joseph AdidiChief priest; Stephen Efejuku Esq., Legal Adviser; Endurance Ufene, Youth President among others, condemned the plot by some indigenes to ascribe the community to their maternal lineage.
Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of Kantu Community Working Committee, Mr. Windfree Atemubaghan, narrated the founding of the community by an Ijaw man, Oweijibri, who hailed from Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom community around the 11th century.
He explained that the Itsekiri Language became the majorly spoken language in the community due to intermarraiges between their ancestors and the Itsekiris.
“The male children of Oweizibiri married Itsekiri women who also gave birth to other aildren. In the course of growing up, the children were more attached to their mothers, who spoke their Itsekiri dialect with their children. And some of the children also inter-married with other Itsekiri indigenes. As such, Itsekiri language became dominantly spoken by majority of Ikantu people. This is how the Ikantu Community which is one of the major Communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom became affiliated to Itsekiri people.
“From the above, we wish to categorically inform the general public, Local, State, and Federal Government and the International Community that Ikantu is an Ijaw Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom and is never, was never and will never be part of Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
“Some of the descendants of our ancestor, Oweizibiri are still bent on alienating their father (Ijaw) land to their maternal Itsekiri nationality. We strongly condemn this attitude of these persons because it has created antagonism for the people of Ikantu Community, among their kiths and kin in Gbaramatu Kingdom and the larger Ijaw nation.
“In conclusion, we wish to state and inform the general public, Local Government, State, Federal Government and the International Community that Ikantu is an Ijaw Community having an ancestral affinity with Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State and will continue to remain in the Traditional Institution of Gbaramatu Kingdom,” the community chairman stated.
On his part, Pa. Edwin Atikan Atemubagha, the Ama-Okosuwei of (Ikantu) Community, emphasized the need for peace in the area, as the false narrative was causing tension in the area.
The Fiyewei (spokesman) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who was part of a delegation of HM Oboro Gbaraun II, to Kantu, welcomed the affirmation of the community leadership that Kantu is an Ijaw community in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
