Wednesday, September 10, 2025, marked the fourth remembrance of Elder Statesman Chief (Dr.) Evang. Samson Youkore Mamamu (JP), the Ijaw Toro-Ebediwei of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in the Warri South-West, a former regent of the kingdom, a one-time chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Western Zone; the Founder and General Overseer of God's Ministry of Healing and Deliverance, Salvation City in New Ogbe-Ijoh, among other legacies.

The fourth remembrance held at the site of the church founded by the Ijaw icon in Salvation City, New Ogbe-Ijoh, with the Mamamu families and community representatives converging at the Memorial Tomb of the elder statesman for a brief service on Wednesday.

The brief praise and worship session which was anchored by the Coordinating Minister of the church, Pastor Edwin Boyi, who delivered a brief sermon in reflection of the departed leader's legacy, climaxed with the laying of wreaths by the children at the Memorial Tomb of their beloved father.

Paying tributes to their beloved father, Chief (Comrade) Mamamu Bene Youkore, a son of the late icon, in an emotion-laden tone said that his "father's legacy will continue to strengthen the family", while his brother, Mamamu Shadrack urged the family members to embrace "unity, love, and a deep reverence for God" and added with words of encouragement that they all should "carry forward the values instilled on them by their late leader and to live a life worthy of imitation."

In her heartfelt tribute, a daughter, Mrs. Clara Mamamu-Ibani emphasized the importance of sustaining the legacy of their late father by fostering a close fellowship with God, and reminded all of the hallmark virtues of their father whom she said "was a man who spoke truth to power, unafraid to challenge the status quo and advocate for justice."

Described as an exemplary leader who meant well for the progress, growth and development of all sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation, the passing of late Chief S.Y. Mamamu in 2021 "remains a blow to the Ijaws of Warri, nay the wider Ijaw national cause which Mamamu admirably defended and protected besides godly values, till he breathed his last" as noted in a tribute four years ago by Chief (Dr.) Bello Oboko, the Ebiyedouwei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom and President of Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC). 

According to Dr. Oboko, "Mamamu posted a forthright leadership for the Ijaws of Warri which produced an Ijaw political representative in my person, Chief Bello Oboko as elected Councilor in the old Warri Local Government Area (now split into Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs) under his bridge-building alliance between Warri-Ijaws and Urhobo that then guaranteed balance and peace in Warri territory. Under Mamamu's leadership and watch, Ogbe-Ijoh became headquarters of Warri South-West LGA, a Deputy Governor of Delta State emerged as well as a Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

"His collaborative leadership style holding prospects of peace, liberty and prosperity for the Ijaw since threw him up for Ijaw National Service as Chairman of Western Zone (comprising Ijaws of Ondo, Edo and Delta) of INC which endorsed the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Kaiama Declaration's tenets of total resource control, environmental justice and self-determination within the Nigerian federation. Mamamu stood behind and was a staunch advocate of the similar Oporoza Declaration by FNDIC (formed in 1997 but reformed in 2003 in residence of Hon George Timinimi Esq) which set out to guarantee for the Ijaw of Warri and indeed Nigerians with equal political space in the practice of the Nigerian democracy.

"As a fearless advocate of his convictions as leader, Mamamu spoke truth to power throughout his life course. He supervised execution of the Ijaw Master Plan for Warri toward equal political space for the 63% population of the Ijaw areas, as for the 37% population of the non-Ijaw areas in Warri South-West LGA (as per 1991 population census figures).

"During a presidential visit, Mamamu urged President Olusegun Obasanjo not to pass the buck on causes of the Niger Delta crisis and illegal oil bunkering that has partly resulted in environmental despoilation and consequent deleterious effects in the Niger Delta region. Holding the FG complicit, Mamamu boldly asserted that local people had no wherewithal to purchase the very expensive equipment used for real illegal oil bunkering perpetrated by foreigners without FG harassment. He stood tall for improved management of 13% Derivation Funds by the States as well as better application of NDDC funds for more imposing development of the Niger Delta.

"Because I was involved, I can bodly state that Mamamu's presence and advice followed us as FNDIC, in concert with others, got FG declaration of the Niger Delta as a national challenge by securing a state of developmental emergency and national peace programme for the Niger Delta during the Obasanjo-led FG/Coastal States/Stakeholders Peace Meeting in Abuja.

"Mamamu remained optimistic of the supreme sacrifices made by FNDIC to earn the Warri Roadmap to Peace, midwifed by former Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori towards reconciling the principal disputants of the Warri Conflicts.

"Pursuant to Delta Warri Roadmap to Peace, Ijaw voters during the rein of Mamamu, voted en masse for, and in support of others, returned Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan as governor of Delta state from Itsekiri extraction, believing that what's good for the goose is also good for the gander.

"Mamamu's forthright leadership was guided by his passionate belief and practice of God's direction. Mamamu was a fiery, mighty man of God, a lovely father, a mentor, an achiever, a brave and legendary Ijaw national leader!

"By dedicating the better part of his life to defending the Ijaw cause and devotion to divine values, Mamamu practically recommended to especially youths of the Ijaw nation to follow the Biblical path in the quest for recognition in the Nigerian federation."

SOURCES: FocalPoint report | Legacy of Defending Ijaw Cause and Divine Values, Being Tribute on Late Evang. Chief (Dr.) Samson Youkore Mamamu, UNPA, JP., By Hon. Chief (Dr.) Bello Oboko.

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