The Bridge Between Two Nations — A David of His Generation
Senator David Cobbina Brigidi was a David of his generation — extraordinarily brilliant, clever, knowledgeable, wise, compassionate, resilient, and a strategic politician of many seasons. A kind-hearted and generous man whose vacuum will be felt in Beyin and Kainyanbiri, Nzemaland, Ghana and Nigeria at large.
Quite a handsome man — charismatic and stylish. When he entered the Senate chamber, you felt it.
I. LINEAGE: A ROYAL HERITAGE OF TWO NATIONS
He was born into greatness from both sides:
Father: Chief Saiya Brigidi, of Kainyanbiri, Bomo Clan, Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A respected Chief in the Niger Delta creeks. Also recorded as Meleford Nelson Brigidi, great educationist and among first African Managers of UAC in the 1940s.
Mother: A proud daughter of Beyin, Jomoro District, Western Region, Ghana, of the great EbElamgbane Clan. Daughter of a revered Nzema traditional ruler. At his passing, she was still alive but ailing — the brochure’s last tribute to her. Also known as Cecilia Segosuane Brigidi, fearless enterprising trader.
Grandparents: His maternal grandfather was a revered Nzema traditional ruler whose palace gave him comfort in his early years. His maternal grandmother, Madam Elizabeth Awuah, nurtured him from infancy in the Christian faith at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Beyin.
Rather than remain in the comfort of his royal maternal grandfather’s influence, young David made a defining decision: after Sixth Form at the prestigious Presbyterian Boys School, Legon, he disenrolled and relocated to the swampy creek village of Kaiyanbiri to reconnect with his father. He spoke no Ijaw at the time, but soon became Youth Leader of Bomo Clan communities — first proof of his uncommon ability to turn a strange land into home.
II. EDUCATION AND EARLY LEADERSHIP
Natural leader from childhood:
- School Head-Boy at Huni-Valley Secondary School, Ghana
- Beyin Methodist School, Ghana
- Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Law (LLB, BL)
- Student Union President, RSUST — earned sobriquet ‘Sankara’ after Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso for fiery activism
Administrative Secretary/Legal Adviser, defunct SDP, Rivers State.
III. BROTHERHOOD
Staunch, committed member of De Norsemen Kclub International, also known as Supreme Vikings Confraternity — international humanitarian and fraternal organisation founded 1983 at University of Port Harcourt, registered 1993. His roles were evident and impactful. This brotherhood became his youth empowerment network from RSUST to the Senate.
IV. POLITICAL COLOSSUS
- 1988/89: President, United Democrats (Youth Wing of SDP)
- 1992/93: SDP Chairmanship Candidate, Southern Ijaw LGA
- 1996-1998: Bayelsa State Chairman, United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP)
- 1999: Elected to Nigerian Senate at just 37 — Bayelsa Central, PDP platform, took office 29 May 1999
- 2003: Re-elected at 41
In Senate:
Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum; Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC; Member of Public Accounts, Environment, Establishment, Labour, Federal Character, Social Development & Sports, Economic Affairs.
In 2007, after Senate, became Chairman of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee (NDPCRC). In July 2008 called for demobilisation, rehabilitation, reorientation of militants, review of polluted farmlands and fishing ponds, and special oil revenue for Delta infrastructure. Tenure ended Aug 2009 — replaced by Presidential Amnesty Programme. His blueprint is Nigeria’s peace in the creeks. Governor Okowa lauded him for it.
He was vocal on Niger Delta issues, fearless, compassionate.
V. ENTREPRENEUR AND NATION BUILDER
Founder and CEO of Karela Group (Oil & Gas, Farms, Properties, Hospitality), Founder and Chairman of Re-Routine Air, Owner of Karela United Football Club of Ghana (formerly Metro SC, bought 2014, moved to Ghana Premier League, beat Ashanti Kotoko 3-1 on 2 May 2018).
Other companies chaired: Kariela Oil & Gas Nigeria, Kariela Hotels & Resort Ghana, Kariela Oil & Gas Ghana, Adef Energy Services, Shores & Savannah (Law Partners), South Field Petroleum.
Member, Board of Governing Council, University of Ibadan.
Developmental footprints in Jomoro and Ellembele Districts, Ghana, and enormous contributions to welfare of Niger Delta youth. He gave employment to youths on unprecedented scale — why his name still rings the bell in Bayelsa.
Though not venerated by the state, he is venerated by families. Friends and families he empowered organize his memorials each year.
VI. FAMILY AND FAITH — THE WELCOMING HEART
His greatest empire was his home.
While in Nigeria he met Madam Sylvia Brigidi, mother of his daughter Karela Brigidi — Karela meaning in Ijaw “God has answered our prayers” — the name he gave his entire business empire.
On return to Ghana he married his wife Abena. He was father to eight children:
Benjamin (Snr), Prince, David, Benjamin (Jnr), Hezron, Ediseni Nicholas, Nimi and Sebastian — eight vibrant children.
He left behind also his ailing mother, his uncle, eight siblings, and his wife Abena.
He loved his children, gave them best of education and nurtured them in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the star, light and pillar of the EbElamgbane Clan. He responded to every call so long as his Maker gave him strength.
He served his Creator till death — re-roofing Ebenezer Methodist Church, Beyin, buying its organ, and giving generously at every Thanksgiving Harvest.
VII. HOME CALL
On 30th September 2018, early in the morning, he joined the Church Triumphant at age 55. Final internment held Friday, 14th December 2018 in peaceful Kaiyanbiri village, Southern Ijaw, deep in heart of Ijaw nation, accessible only by water.
May the Lord Jesus Christ welcome him home. May the angels of God carry him into the bosom of Abraham. Egya Kabenlah Brigidi tia boε. Nyamenle Eva wɔ Ɛkεla ne Ezie boε. Amen.
SOURCE REFERENCE
- Brigidi Dickson Benjamin — Family Archive & Burial Brochure (Beyin-Kainyanbiri), with Senate records (1999-2007), Presidential Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee records (2007-2009), and University of Ibadan Governing Council.
