Teacher | Administrator | Entrepreneur | Church Leader
Dame (Hon.) Mercy Gboribusuote Alagoa, JP, was a trailblazing Nigerian teacher, administrator, entrepreneur, and devoted Anglican whose life was defined by service, enterprise, and unwavering faith. She was widely respected for her contributions to commerce, public service, women’s development, and the growth of the Anglican Communion in the Niger Delta.
Early Life and Background
Mercy Gboribusuote Alagoa was born on May 11, 1927, in Nembe, present-day Bayelsa State, Nigeria. She was born into a distinguished and education-oriented family.
Her father, Chief Justus Awotongha Nyananayo Ogbari, was a school teacher and later Headmaster in various locations, including British Cameroons, Buguma, Oyo, and Degema. Her mother, Mrs. Ruth Ayibaiwokwo Nyananayo (née Alanso-Iwowari), was also a teacher.
She was the third child and only daughter in a family of five children. Growing up in a disciplined Christian household, she developed resilience, leadership qualities, and a strong commitment to education and service.
Education
Mercy began her formal education at St. Luke’s School, Nembe, where she laid the foundation for her academic excellence.
In the 1950s, she furthered her education through London GCE correspondence studies, which she completed successfully—an uncommon achievement for women of her generation at the time.
Early Career and Rise in Commerce
In the 1940s, Mercy Alagoa worked as a teacher and was also involved in journalism, demonstrating her versatility and intellectual depth.
In 1951, she joined the United Africa Company (UAC), then the largest commercial enterprise in Nigeria. Through diligence, professionalism, and exceptional performance, she rose rapidly through the ranks to become a Senior Manager and Buyer—making her one of the first Nigerian women to attain such a high managerial position in the company.
Her role took her across international markets, where she sourced quality fashion items for Kingsway Stores in major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Ibadan.
Public Service and Government Appointments
After retiring from UAC in 1973, she was appointed by the first Governor of Rivers State, Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, to establish the state-owned PABOD Supplies Company.
One of the major achievements of PABOD was its role in supporting the establishment of cottage hospitals across local government areas in old Rivers State, contributing significantly to healthcare development in what later became Bayelsa State.
She also served in several strategic national and state roles, including:
- Member, Board of Pan African Bank
- Chairman, Board of Port Harcourt Flour Mills
- Member, Rivers State Sports Council
- Pioneer Board Member, National Commission for Women (now Ministry of Women Affairs)
- Commissioner, National Electoral Commission (1996–1998) representing old Rivers State in Bauchi State
- Chairman, Peace and Reconciliation Panel (2001)
Community Leadership and Advocacy
Dame Mercy Alagoa was deeply involved in community development and women’s advocacy.
She was honored as Life Chairman of the National Council of Women Societies (Rivers/Bayelsa Chapters) and was a pioneer member of the Bayelsa State Elders Consultative Council, where she later chaired the Peace and Security Committee.
She was also a founding member of the South-South People’s Assembly (SSPA) and an active participant in the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
Entrepreneurship and Agriculture
Beyond public service, Mercy Alagoa was a visionary entrepreneur.
In 1977, she founded Sunblest Bakery on Kaduna Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt—one of the leading bakeries of its time, established to address bread shortages in the city.
She later expanded into agribusiness under Ebisuote Enterprise, specializing in:
- Livestock production
- Commercial crop farming
- Aquaculture
She also established Emgee Water, a packaged water business based in Nneka, Rivers State.
Her residence at the University of Port Harcourt also featured a well-maintained orchard, reflecting her passion for agriculture.
Faith and Church Contributions
A lifelong Anglican, Dame Mercy Alagoa was deeply committed to the Church. Her contributions include:
- Supporting the roofing of St. Luke’s Cathedral, Nembe
- Serving as Mother of the Church and Life Chairman of the Harvest Committee
- Co-sponsoring the establishment of the Diocese of Niger Delta West, where she served as Treasurer for over a decade
- Contributing to the construction of Our Saviour’s Chapel, University of Port Harcourt
In recognition of her outstanding service, she was knighted as a Dame in 2001.
Marriage and Family
She was married to the eminent historian, Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Joe Alagoa, OON, NNOM, one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars. Their union reflected shared values of scholarship, service, and faith.
Final Years and Death
In her later years, Mercy Alagoa found joy in simple acts of kindness, particularly in feeding birds. Every morning at 6:00 a.m. and evening at 6:00 p.m., she fed doves at her residence at No. 11 Orogbum Crescent, Port Harcourt, fondly referred to as her “Trafalgar Square.”
She passed away on November 9, 2016, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba, after a brief illness that led to a coma. She was 89 years old.
Legacy
Dame Mercy Gboribusuote Alagoa’s life remains a remarkable legacy of:
- Trailblazing leadership in commerce
- Dedicated public service
- Entrepreneurial excellence
- Faith-driven impact
- Advocacy for women and community development
She stands as one of the most influential women of her generation in the Niger Delta—an enduring symbol of strength, vision, and service.
