Honouring custodian of ancient Laws, modern justice: Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LL.D) to Tompolo

By Asiayei Enaibo

The world is guided by natural laws, and these laws are revealed to those who are conscious of their depth and the meaning of the Universe.

They emanate from the soul and the mind, and today I have a story rooted in the decrees of the gods of our ancestors.

High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo is a symbol of these ancient natural laws—laws that governed the old world and still manifest in our modern age.

These are the laws that shaped the existence of Aziza, Father Igologolo, the principles of Biniebi Mardinorbou, and the creed of Egbesu.

Tompolo carries this as a divine message to his generation. The fundamentals of law are the natural laws that govern the seen and the unseen forces of nature within the auspices of human circles—birth and death, ethics, values, customs, and the laws that define the uprightness of the developmental chain of human operation as universal elements.

The birth of Tompolo is a divine law written in the book of Aziza, destined to be expressed in human form in his current incarnation.

Today, the honour bestowed on him by Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State, through the Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), is a fulfilment of these natural laws.

It aligns with the principles of time and season that have guided and protected him. These laws have always lived within his heart.

As custodians of natural laws, customs, practices, and beliefs, we witness a fitting recognition given to Ekpemupolo. It is a testament to the principles he has upheld throughout his life—peacebuilding, education and community development—now made visible through this honour.

As SA to High Chief Ekpemupolo on Osobor matters, I know that the Master understands these laws deeply. They have guided him from the beginning—laws of equity, justice, and development.

These laws compelled him to stand for the people of the Niger Delta, who have long been oppressed by multinational powers and the Federal Government. One man stands out as the connecting rod to our sensibilities and development in all ramifications.

These natural laws guided him to fight for justice, and that justice attracted development to the Niger Delta region. It brought equity and transformation to our communities.

When I heard that Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, had confirmed the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Laws (LL.D) for Dr. Tompolo during their 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th convocation ceremonies—an award received by Dr. Paul Bebenimibo on behalf of the Master—

I was spiritually awakened within the soul of the waters, the winds, and the creatures that dwell within the natural system. The doves, the cuckoos, the dolphins, the Biniegbesu that Tompolo feeds—these laws protected him in times past.

The Opuaduwes, to whom he offered drinks before ceremonial activities, were also expressions of natural laws. Tompolo stands at the epitome of these sacred principles.

Today, I congratulate my Master, Father Igologolo, the face of natural justice and the symbol of the natural practices and beliefs of our people. The purity and justice he stands upon have shaped his vision and taught us never to pollute our environment, for the destruction of nature is the destruction of self.

Through Tantita, he created environmental justice and protected our environment and the aquatic world. The fishes are happy, the land is happy, and the air is happy. Why then should humanity not honour Ekpemupolo? His commitment, determination, and focus through the darkest nights became the compass that guided him through the laws of the ages.

Tompolo exemplifies the natural laws of justice, forgiveness, empathy, love, and morality. There is no circumstance on earth, or offence humanity commits that reaches Tompolo’s jurisdiction, that the Jurist Tompolo will not forgive. He will softly say: Owabrasin, leave him and let him go, after diligent probing and cross-examination.

No matter the provocation, the laws of nature and forgiveness—rooted in empathy, morality, and finding solutions to prevent future occurrences—guide him. From the societal conditions that push youth into crime, he believes government must create employment to engage them and rehabilitate them into society.

Thus, the Honorary Doctorate in Law awarded to Tompolo is a testament to morality, principles, forgiveness, love, and care.

This is what governs the purpose of creation and the love of human existence. John Donne once said: “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.”

The suffering of humanity affects Tompolo, and his love, morality, sincerity, and drive for development are the creeds guiding the uprightness of society.

He looks at the natural flow of the tide, then Amaseikumor will appear from the forest to better society and humanity. Any man who upholds such natural phenomena is beyond a jurist.

Tompolo is law, and the honorary degree is an affirmation of his mindset toward natural, environmental, and aquatic justice.

Congratulations to him, and congratulations to Edwin Clark University for deeming it fit to honour him. They have affirmed a truth: this man embodies the law, and no law exists without natural laws. Tompolo is the natural law. Congratulations.

Asiayei Enaibo
SA to Dr. Tompolo on Osobor Matters
Writes from GbaramatuVoice