The Initiator of the Bayelsa Dream

Sir Chief Dr. Abraham Ayebakepreye Amba Ambaiowei, MFR, JP, was not just a man; he was an institution, a movement, and a prophecy fulfilled.

He was born on the 28th of February, 1940, into royalty of character and blood, to Late Chief Jacob Ambaiowei Yiworibie of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Late Mrs. Priscilia Wuru (nee Oghene) from Enhwe in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. From those creeks of Amassoma, destiny was already charting a path for a child who would birth a state.

THE FORGING OF A SCHOLAR: 1950 – 1966

His quest for knowledge began at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Amassoma in 1950 and he completed his primary education in 1956. In 1957, he gained admission into the prestigious Okrika Grammar School (OGS) in Rivers State. A natural leader even as a boy, in his final year at OGS, he was made the Senior Prefect of Aggrey House – a testament to his brewing leadership skills. He left OGS in 1961.

In 1962, after graduating from OGS and without opportunity for university education due to financial limitations, young Amba took up a teaching job, but the classroom could not contain his ambition. At the end of that year, he made a bold decision: he left for Lagos to stay with his kinsmen, from where he would chase his dream for higher education.

In Lagos, young Amba sought for and secured a job as an Accounts Clerk with the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN). His hunger for knowledge never slept. In 1964, a part-time evening programme at the Federal School of Science (FSS) gave him the opportunity to do an advanced level programme. His brilliance earned him a Federal Scholarship.

He enrolled for the A’ Levels examination at Federal School of Science in January 1966 and made his three papers at a sitting and in the first attempt – a feat of academic brilliance. Armed with his A’ Level results, young Amba gained admission into the University of Lagos, Akoka to study Medicine in 1966. He eventually graduated in 1971 with an MBBS degree and became the first medical doctor from the entire Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State. History had been made.

THE HEALER AND THE LOVER: 1971 – 1974

As a medical house officer, his clinical skills were undisputed. He was able to do so many deliveries in a day and carried out sessions that surprised his Head of Department. This excellence impressed his colleagues so much that when Professor Bello Osagie was appointed Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Benin, he took along with him young Dr. Amba to work as a Senior House Officer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

Following a fledgling early medical career, young Dr Amba fell in love and became wedded to Lady Lilian Izonfadei (nee Owei) in 1972. Their marriage was blessed with nine children. Sadly, she passed on to glory on the 31st of May 2020. May her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace, Amen.

While in UBTH, Dr Amba Ambaiowei rose to become a Registrar before leaving for the United Kingdom in 1974.

THE UK YEARS: MASTERING THE CRAFT: 1974 – 1979

He attended the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London between 1974 to 1978. While in the UK, Dr Amba Ambaiowei worked in several hospitals as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. He worked as a Senior House Officer in Edgware General Hospital in North West London from 1974 to 1975 and at Hammersmith Hospital in West London between 1975 to 1976. Between 1976 to 1978, he worked as a Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, The Middlesex Hospital London and at St. Mary’s Hospital Paddington in West London in 1979.

Even in the diaspora, he was a community builder. He was the Chairman of the Amassoma Community Union UK branch from 1977 to 1979 and the Founder and General Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, UK & Ireland Branch between 1978 – 1979.

THE STATESMAN: EDUCATION, LABOUR AND HEALING HIS PEOPLE: 1979 – 1997

In 1979, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo; the first civilian Governor of the Old Rivers State invited Dr Amba Ambaiowei back home from the UK and appointed him Honourable Commissioner for Education in the first civilian administration. The framework for the conversion of the Rivers State College of Science and Technology Port-Harcourt into a premier University of Science and Technology in Port-Harcourt was achieved under his supervision.

As Commissioner for Education, Dr Amba Ambaiowei made access to secondary school easier for his people by establishing schools in places that hitherto lacked in those facilities due to difficult terrain. These places include Otuan, Olugbobiri, Foropa, Gbaraun, Ogboinbiri, Igbematoru, Diebu, Korokorosei, Kabiama, Ebedebiri, Angalabiri, Biseni, Ikibiri, Opokuma, Fangbe, Agudama-Epie, Tungbo, Ekowe, Sangana, Okoroma etc.

He later also served as Honourable Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity between 1980 to 1981 where he provided skills acquisition for youths in craft and vocational centres for their self-actualization. He also served as president, Rivers State Co-operative Financing Agency between 1988 – 1997.

Dr Amba Ambaiowei balanced his medical practice with his political pursuits and as proprietor and medical director of Amba Hospital; opened in 1982 with two branches in Port Harcourt, he provided several free health care services to the people. He also established an annex of his hospital in Amassoma to give his people the much needed medical services and by so doing, was the first to establish a private clinic in his community.

THE DREAMER: THE BIRTH OF BAYELSA: 1993 – 1996

In 1993, the demand for the creation of an ABAYELSA state (constituted by present day Bayelsa State and Ahoada) from the Old Rivers State was not realized under the military president General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, GCFR.

However, an undeterred, resolute, visionary and indefatigable Sir Dr Amba Ambaiowei mobilized his colleagues, compatriots, protagonists and even young vibrant graduates as well as university students under the aegis of Bayelsa Forum / Bayelsa State Creation Movement in 1994 to pursue the demand for the creation of BAYELSA STATE from the then BALGA – YELGA – SALGA in the Old Rivers State (from which the name BAYELSA was coined) under the General Sani Abacha military regime.

Through such unyielding efforts of men and especially by the grace of God, on 1st October 1996, BAYELSA STATE (The Glory of All Lands) was created. The dream he initiated had become a state.

THE NATIONAL BUILDER: 2001 – 2005

Sir Chief Dr Amba Ayebakepreye Ambaiowei was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR to serve as Chairman National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2001 and served till 2004. Under that auspices, he effected an expansion proposal for the establishment of six additional Federal Polytechnics across the nation viz one in Abuja, Jigawa, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Katsina states. He notably converted Government Technical School Ekowe in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State to a Federal Polytechnic.

In 2005, Dr Amba Ambaiowei was a member representing Bayelsa State at the National Political Reforms Conference instituted by President Olusegun Obasanjo and chaired by Honourable Justice Niki Tobi. Sir Chief Dr Amba Ayebakepreye Ambaiowei was a member of the Nigerian Medical Association, The Nigerian Association of General Medicine and Dental Practitioners and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He also served as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Niger Delta Health Foundation, for Comprehensive Rural Health Services in the Niger Delta.

HONOURS AND GLORY

He was a recipient of many awards at community, state and national levels notably the MOSIEND Ijaw Youth Organization Merit Award in 1997, the Bayelsa State Government Merit Award in 1999, 2001 and 2006 for the leadership roles he played towards the advancement and development of the state. He was honoured with the South – South Peoples Distinguished Service Award by the South – South Peoples Assembly in 2005. In 2008, as recognition of his meritorious service to Ijaw nation building, Sir Chief Dr Amba Ayebakepreye Ambaiowei was bestowed Nigeria National Honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He received the Patriot of Ijaw Nation Merit Award in 2011. In 2014, he received the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation (Glory FM’s) Hero’s Award as “The Initiator of the Bayelsa Dream” as part of festivities to mark their 15th anniversary celebration. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Old Boy Award presented by the Okrika Grammar School Old Boys Association in recognition of his visible leadership in society and as a successful politician in 2019.

THE KNIGHT OF FAITH

A devout Anglican, Sir Chief Dr Amba Ayebakepreye Ambaiowei was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephens Anglican Church Amassoma. He was nominated by Bishop Samuel Elenwo to the Niger Delta Diocese Synod and also spearheaded and pioneered the creation of the Amassoma Archdeaconry where he became a pillar of support. He was a board member, Niger Delta Anglican Diocese from 1987 to 1999. Sir Chief Dr Amba Ayebakepreye Ambaiowei was invested as a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) at St Peter’s Church Deanery Yenagoa by the Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja; the then Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta West on Saturday 19th of March 2011. He also served as Chairman of the Building Committee at St. Stephens Anglican Church Amassoma in a bid to build a befitting Anglican house of worship for God in Amassoma. He was a grand patron of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria (Ogboin Company), served as a member of the Bayelsa State Advisory Committee and was Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Elders Forum. He was the pioneer Chairman of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers Forum and remained their Grand Ex Officio at the end of his tenure. From inception, Sir Chief Dr Amba Ambaiowei was an active member of the Ijaw National Congress and the Bayelsa State Elders Consultative forum until his untimely death.

GLORIOUS TRANSITION

The great Iroko fell on the 6th of March 2023. He lived 83 glorious years.

He is survived by twelve children, Thirty-Three Grand Children, nephews and nieces.

He came, he saw, he healed, he taught, and he built a State.