Oporoza, the traditional seat of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, became the spiritual centre of the Ijaw Nation as High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Tompolo, led a deeply reflective three-day fasting and prayer session dedicated to peace, unity, and divine protection across Ijaw land. From December 5th to 9th, 2025, the ancient Gbaraun Egbesu Temple witnessed one of its most solemn and symbolic gatherings as royal fathers, high chiefs, priests, and believers of the Egbesu faith converged for the annual pilgrimage that marks the close of the year.
This year’s spiritual exercise revolved around the theme, “Peace in Nigeria and Peace in the Niger Delta,” a message that resonated strongly with all who journeyed to Oporoza. The atmosphere carried the weight of national anxieties, local realities, and communal expectations, making the gathering not just a religious obligation but a moment of collective reflection on the state of the nation and the future of the Ijaw people.
His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, Pere of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, led the procession into the sacred grounds. The presence of esteemed monarchs from Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Delta States elevated the significance of the event, turning Oporoza into a meeting point of thrones and ancestral spirituality.
Among the monarchs present were the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, the Pere of Gbanraun Kingdom, the Perekere of Oporomor Kingdom, the Pere of Furupagha Kingdom, and the Pere of Tubutoru Kingdom, all of whom joined hands in prayers for the well-being of their people.
For days, the temple rang with the sound of prayers, chants, drum invocations, and spiritual supplications. Fasting, cleansing, and thanksgiving rites were performed as worshippers redeemed long-standing vows, offered sacrifices, and renewed their appeals for guidance and protection. The high priestesses and women of the land added colour and depth to the ceremony through traditional dances and chants that echoed the heritage of the Ijaw people.
The high point of the pilgrimage was the thanksgiving session, where His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, offered prayers for all sons and daughters of Ijaw land, asking for divine mercy, peace, and prosperity as the new year approaches. His voice, calm but commanding, carried the hopes of thousands who rely on the spiritual protection of Egbesu.
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, High Chief Barr. Macdonald Igbediwei delivered a message that reflected the worries of the nation. He lamented the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that every community feels the impact of violence regardless of where it occurs. His appeal for peace was both emotional and profound, urging Nigerians to express grievances through peaceful means and reminding all that forgiveness remains the highest form of strength. “There is no price too high for peace,” he said, capturing the essence of the gathering.
The ceremonies featured cleansing baths, fortification rites, traditional dances, processions, and redemptions that symbolised renewal, unity, and divine connection. Rams were offered, chants ascended into the sky, and the ancient temple walls absorbed the prayers of a people seeking stability and harmony.
Beyond the ceremonies, the event stood as a reminder of the unbroken bond between the Ijaw Nation and its ancestral roots. As participants returned home, the message ringing through the creeks was clear: peace is priceless, unity is essential, and the Ijaw spirit remains unshakable
