A former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Primary School Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare has described ex-militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo as a true patriot of the Niger Delta region.
Prof. Muoboghare made the remarks at a Colloquium/Book Presentation in honour of Professor Godini Gabriel Darah at the Petroleum Training Institution (PTI), Conference Centre, Effurun.
He said Tompolo is a true patriot of the region for the major role he played in founding both the (MEND) and also his fighters that drew the Federal Government’s attention in establishment of the Maritime University at Okenrenkoko.
The former Basic and Primary School Education Commissioner lampooned persons criticizing Tompolo for selling his buildings and other facilities at the International Diving School he built at Kurutie, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, to the FG at an alleged sum of N13 billion, which the Federal Government acquired for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko to have a rethink saying that FG cannot even build those facilities at that cost as a result of the difficult terrain.
The book titled Scholarship and Commitment: Essays in Honour of G. G. Darah was edited by the trio of Sunny Awhefeada, Enajite Ojaruega and Peter Omoko, and published by Lagos-based publishing outfit, Malthouse.
The event was chaired by the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and the Special Guests of Honour, the Governors of Delta and Bayelsa States, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa and Hon Seriake Dickson were represented by their Chiefs of Staff. The 101-year-old Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM, Ovie Richard Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro 1 and HRM, Matthew Ediri Egbi JP. Owawha 11, the Okobaro of Ughievwen kingdom were in attendance. Other dignitaries included the former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, Rev Fr Christopher Ekabo, Hon Evelyn Oboro, Hon Efe Afe, Chief Francis Arhiyor, the academia and others.