In a historic moment that underscored the power of cross‑ethnic solidarity, the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, and the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Pondi, jointly empowered two young ladies during the “Emma Grey at 50 Years on Stage” event held at the Brown-hill Event Center in Warri on Sunday.
The ceremony, which combined a spicy comedy performance by renowned comedian Young Chief, took an unexpected turn when the entertainer jokingly called for volunteers seeking employment or empowerment from the audience.
Two girls stepped forward, and both were awarded start‑up grants of five million naira each by the duo of Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, and High Chief Kestin Pondi.
Bawo Memuduaghan, an Itsekiri girl from Jakpa in Warri North Local Government Area, received
N5million from Speaker Guwor to fund a trade of her choice.
While Faith Avwerosuoghene Isabela Enafi, an Urhobo lady from Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Area was given N5 million by High Chief Pondi to launch a hair‑care business.
In their separate remarks, the two Ijaw leaders stressed the importance of peace and inter ethnic harmony in Delta State as a prerequisite for achieving the “MORE” agenda of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborewori and renewed hope mantra of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Rt Hon Guwor and High Chief Pondi said peace, unity and love among ethnic nationalities are the foundations upon which development is built and thrive in the society.
They noted that empowerment of the two young ladies from different ethnic backgrounds exemplified the collaborative spirit of the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, which both leaders seek to nurture.
Guwor and Pondi congratulated Emma Grey for his legacies in the musical industry, even as they advised the two beneficiaries of the 10million naira grant to make good use of the funds.
The development drew a lively response from the audience, including the Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Hon Solomon Ighrakpata who represented Governor Oborevwori at the event, with cheers and applause as the grants were announced.
Respondents described the empowerment by the two Ijaw ethnic ambassadors as a memorable display of generosity and a tangible illustration of inter‑ethnic cooperation in the state.
The “Emma Grey at 50” celebration, organized to mark a milestone in the career of a musical icon, will be remembered not only for its entertainment but also for the concrete support extended to two young entrepreneurs, reinforcing the message that peace and unity remain central to Delta’s progress.