THE BATTLE FOR IDENTITY: WHY GBARAMATU STUDENTS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR ROOTS

As NAGS prepares for its 7th Mega/Elective Convention, a new generation is embracing the responsibility of preserving the heritage, values and legacy of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom.

On June 4, 2026, a delegation of students from across the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom walked into the palace of the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba.

They were not seeking political endorsements.

They were not pursuing contracts or personal interests.

Instead, they came seeking something increasingly rare in a rapidly changing world: wisdom, guidance and royal blessings.

Led by Comrade Ubebe Brakoru Kester Denyefa, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee (CPC) of the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) Worldwide, the delegation had embarked on a mission that would, within days, take them from the royal palace to the highest socio-cultural leadership of the Ijaw people.

Four days later, on June 8, the same committee paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), High Chief Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei, Esq., who was subsequently unveiled as the keynote speaker for the association's forthcoming 7th Mega/Elective Convention.

The symbolism of those two visits was profound.

In less than a week, Gbaramatu students had consulted two pillars of their society: traditional authority and ethnic leadership.

The message was clear.

The forthcoming convention is not merely about electing new executives. It is about safeguarding identity, preserving culture and preparing a generation for leadership.

A GENERATION AT A CROSSROADS

For decades, conversations about the Niger Delta have focused largely on oil exploration, environmental degradation, resource control and political representation.

Yet beneath these headline issues lies another challenge—one that rarely receives national attention.

It is the challenge of preserving identity.

Across the region, thousands of young people leave their communities annually in pursuit of education, employment and better opportunities. Along the way, many become disconnected from their languages, traditions, customs and local histories.

The concern is not unique to Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It is a reality confronting indigenous communities across Nigeria and beyond.

What distinguishes Gbaramatu students, however, is their determination to confront the issue head-on.

The theme of the 7th Mega/Elective Convention, "Culture and Identity: Preserving the Heritage, Values and Legacy of Our People," reflects a growing awareness among young people that development and identity must go hand in hand.

A community may achieve economic progress, build institutions and expand educational opportunities, but if it loses its collective memory and cultural consciousness, it risks losing the very essence of its existence.

THE DOUYE SIMON ERA

The cultural reawakening currently being championed by NAGS did not emerge overnight.

It is taking place under the leadership of Comrade Douye Simon, who was elected President of NAGS Worldwide on April 1, 2023, during the association's Mega/Elective Convention held in Benikrukru Community.

A native of Okerenkoko Federated Community and a Civil Engineering student of the Nigerian Maritime University, Douye Simon assumed office at a time when NAGS was seeking to strengthen its relevance among students both within and outside Gbaramatu Kingdom.

He succeeded the administration of Comrade Doubra Timiyan and inherited the responsibility of leading an association with thousands of members spread across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

Working alongside him are members of an executive council comprising Seigha Nesiama as Vice President, Afiyagba Miyenka as Secretary General, Kele Precious as Public Relations Officer, Erete Ayapere as Assistant Secretary, Gbajor Blessing as Treasurer, Princess Joko as Financial Secretary, Ediseimokumor Abei as Director of Socials, Blessing Ekpetipu as Director of Welfare, Kpadowei Doubra as Provost and Tamarapreye Elekute as Director of Sports.

Together, the administration has pursued programs aimed at educational advancement, student development and community engagement.

From academic empowerment campaigns in riverine communities to voluntary teaching programs and leadership initiatives, the administration has consistently emphasized the importance of education as a tool for societal transformation.

Now, as the administration approaches the end of its tenure, it appears determined to leave behind another legacy—the promotion of cultural consciousness among Gbaramatu youths.

WHY THE PERE CAME FIRST

The decision of the Convention Planning Committee to first visit the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom before engaging other stakeholders was no coincidence.

Traditional rulers remain custodians of history, culture and communal values.

By seeking the blessings of the monarch, the students acknowledged a timeless truth: a people cannot chart a meaningful future without understanding and respecting their past.

The visit served as a symbolic bridge between generations.

It reflected an understanding that while young people may drive change, they must remain connected to the institutions that preserve their identity.

The royal father's emphasis on peace, unity, cooperation and collective responsibility reinforced the values that the convention itself seeks to promote.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INC PRESIDENT

If the royal visit connected students to their roots, the engagement with the President of the Ijaw National Congress connected them to a broader national conversation.

As the foremost socio-cultural leader of the Ijaw people, High Chief Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei represents a voice that transcends community boundaries.

His selection as keynote speaker underscores the importance of the convention's theme and situates the event within the larger struggle to preserve Ijaw culture, history and identity.

For many students, the opportunity to engage with such a figure offers more than inspiration; it provides a sense of belonging to a wider historical movement.

BEYOND ELECTING EXECUTIVES

When delegates converge on Kokodiagbene Community from July 24 to July 26, 2026, they will participate in elections, discussions, networking sessions and cultural activities.

However, the true significance of the gathering extends far beyond the electoral process.

The convention presents an opportunity to cultivate future leaders who understand that leadership is rooted not only in ambition but also in service, responsibility and cultural awareness.

The next generation of lawyers, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs and public servants emerging from Gbaramatu Kingdom will inherit the responsibility of preserving the values that define their people.

The convention seeks to prepare them for that task.

THE REAL STORY

At first glance, the 7th Mega/Elective Convention may appear to be another routine student gathering.

In reality, it represents something much deeper.

It is a reflection of a generation determined to reconnect with its roots.

It is an affirmation that cultural preservation is not the responsibility of elders alone.

It is a declaration that heritage survives only when each generation chooses to protect and promote it.

As July approaches, attention will naturally focus on elections, speeches and convention activities.

Yet beneath those events lies a more profound story—the story of young people striving to define their place in history while safeguarding the identity of their people.

For Gbaramatu Kingdom, that struggle may ultimately prove to be one of the most important battles of all.

This version reads more like a Sunday newspaper feature or magazine cover story, weaving the convention, the CPC visits, the Douye Simon administration, and the broader cultural significance into one coherent narrative.