The Legendary “Beks Royal,” Playwright, Bayelsa Founding Father, and Champion of the Ijaw Cause

Introduction

Sir (Chief) Simon Meshu Ambakederemo, popularly celebrated as “Beks Royal,” was one of the Niger Delta’s most influential cultural icons, public intellectuals, dramatists, journalists, and political advocates. A gifted playwright, actor, poet, broadcaster, motivational speaker, and administrator, he devoted over five decades to promoting the history, culture, identity, and political aspirations of the Ijaw people.

Beyond the stage, Ambakederemo became one of the foremost voices advocating justice, educational reform, and state creation in the Niger Delta. His writings, public campaigns, and unwavering commitment to the creation of Bayelsa State earned him recognition as one of the state’s founding fathers. Through theatre, journalism, literature, and public service, he inspired generations to embrace their heritage while advocating for equity and national development.

His remarkable life demonstrated how the pen, the stage, and courageous leadership could become powerful instruments for social transformation.

Early Life and Birth

Simon Meshu Ambakederemo was born on 4 July 1935 at Massey Hospital Maternity, Lagos, to the legendary Niger Delta merchant Chief Meshu Bekederemo of Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of present-day Delta State, and Madam Elfrida Simbi Wellington of Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of present-day Bayelsa State.

Raised within two respected Niger Delta families, he inherited discipline, enterprise, leadership, and a deep appreciation for Ijaw culture and communal responsibility. These early influences would later shape his lifelong passion for cultural preservation and public service.

Education

Ambakederemo began his formal education at the Roman Catholic School, Kiagbodo, where he studied between 1947 and 1952, graduating with distinction.

He subsequently attended Urhobo College, Effurun-Warri between 1953 and 1954 before proceeding to the Western Ijaw Teachers’ Training College, now Esenabe College, Bomadi, where he completed his teacher training in 1956–1957.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he later gained admission into the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university. There, he studied Theatre Arts, specializing in Dramatic Literature, Speech, Theatre, Broadcasting, and Communication, graduating in 1971.

His lecturers included some of Africa’s greatest literary minds, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. J. A. Adedeji, Prof. D. A. Adelugba, Prof. Dexter Lyndersay, and Chief Ayo Ogunlade, whose mentorship helped refine his exceptional artistic abilities.

Career in Theatre and Literature

Long before becoming a renowned public administrator, Simon Ambakederemo had already established himself as one of the finest dramatists in the Niger Delta.

Fondly known as “Beks Royal,” he founded the Beks Royal Theatre Group, serving as its Artistic Director. While working as Headmaster within the former Western Ijaw Division, the theatre troupe toured communities across today’s Bomadi, Burutu, Patani, and Sagbama Local Government Areas, bringing educational and socially relevant drama directly to rural audiences.

Among the productions staged by the troupe were:

• Patrice Lumumba
• Kongi’s Harvest
• Things Fall Apart
• No Longer at Ease
• The Way We Are

His theatre became more than entertainment; it was a platform for education, cultural awakening, and social consciousness.

Throughout his literary career, Ambakederemo authored more than eighty publications, including plays, poems, newspaper commentaries, essays, and historical writings focusing on the Niger Delta, the Ijaw nationality, and national development.

His celebrated Beks Epic Play, written over four decades before his passing, remains one of his enduring contributions to Ijaw literature, documenting the struggles, resilience, and aspirations of the Ijaw people.

Several important manuscripts—including his play Isaac Boro—remained unpublished during his lifetime despite repeated assurances from successive governments that they would be published or adapted for film.

Journalism, Media, and Public Communication

Ambakederemo’s influence extended well beyond literature.

He served as Director of Information for Rivers State before becoming Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, where he championed cultural development, public enlightenment, and artistic excellence.

An accomplished master of ceremonies, broadcaster, and public speaker, he anchored numerous state functions and interacted with distinguished personalities, including former Bayelsa Governor Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, American civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, and former Minister Captain Caleb Olubolade.

His communication skills earned him widespread admiration as one of the Niger Delta’s most respected public voices.

Builder of Professional Institutions

Chief Ambakederemo helped establish and strengthen numerous professional organizations in Bayelsa State.

He was a founding father or pioneer member of several institutions, including:

• Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa Chapter
• Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council
• Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Bayelsa State Branch
• Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA)
• Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association (BAFENPA)

He also served in leadership positions as Chairman of organizations such as:

• Federated Newspaper Publishers Association of Nigeria
• Veterans’ Mandate Group
• Ernest Ikoli Press Club

These institutions benefited immensely from his leadership, mentorship, and vision.

Champion of Educational Reform

Even as a university undergraduate, Ambakederemo demonstrated extraordinary courage.

In 1970, while residing in Room A1, Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, University of Ibadan, he authored an open letter to the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, challenging Nigeria’s scholarship policy.

He argued that scholarship opportunities should extend beyond the arts into science, engineering, medicine, and other professional disciplines essential for national development.

Shortly afterward, Nigeria experienced a significant expansion of scholarship and bursary awards across multiple academic fields, reflecting the growing national attention given to educational reform.

Bayelsa State Creation Struggle

Few causes defined Ambakederemo’s life more profoundly than the struggle for the creation of Bayelsa State.

As Secretary-General of the Bayelsa State Creation Movement, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing intellectual support, public awareness, and political advocacy throughout the 1990s.

His famous open letter explaining why Bayelsa State should be created became part of the movement’s historical records.

When Bayelsa State was finally created on 1 October 1996, the achievement represented the realization of a dream for which he had laboured tirelessly.

Even after state creation, he remained committed to regional development, serving as Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee of the Toru-Ebe State Creation Movement until his passing.

Defender of the Ijaw Nation

Chief Ambakederemo believed passionately that the history and struggles of the Ijaw people deserved proper documentation.

Through literature, journalism, public lectures, and advocacy, he consistently highlighted issues affecting the Niger Delta, including environmental degradation, cultural preservation, political inclusion, and economic justice.

His writings remain valuable historical resources for understanding the aspirations and challenges of the Ijaw nation.

Christian Faith

A devoted Roman Catholic throughout his life, Ambakederemo remained active within the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) and the Ijaw Catholic Community.

He worshipped faithfully at St. Mathias Catholic Church, Amarata, Yenagoa, contributing generously to the spiritual and physical development of the parish.

His Christian faith influenced both his personal conduct and public service.

Marriage and Family

Sir (Chief) Simon Meshu Ambakederemo was married to Lady Love Ambakederemo, with whom he built a respected Christian family founded on faith, discipline, education, and service.

His family remained central to his life’s journey and continues to preserve his remarkable legacy.

Tributes and Legacy

Following his passing on 6 March 2016, tributes poured in from family members, colleagues, community leaders, and admirers across Nigeria.

His late sister’s family described him as a man whose “footprints cannot be measured by any standard,” celebrating his unwavering commitment to justice and humanity.

His son-in-law praised him as “a good man” whose enduring legacies would forever remain in the annals of history.

Friends and associates remembered him as “Beks Royal” and “Funpe Oboh of Ijaw Land,” acknowledging his extraordinary influence as a cultural icon, mentor, patriot, and advocate for the Niger Delta.

Many also reflected on one of his deepest unfulfilled dreams: seeing the founding fathers of Bayelsa State officially honoured during their lifetime and witnessing the publication and cinematic adaptation of several of his literary works.

Death

Sir (Chief) Simon Meshu Ambakederemo passed away on Sunday, 6 March 2016, at the age of 80.

Although his earthly journey ended, his contributions to Nigerian theatre, journalism, public communication, literature, cultural preservation, and the Bayelsa State creation movement continue to inspire scholars, artists, journalists, public servants, and future generations.

His life remains a powerful testimony that ideas, courage, and commitment can shape the destiny of a people.

Conclusion

Sir (Chief) Simon Meshu Ambakederemo was far more than a playwright or government official. He was an educator, institution builder, fearless advocate, cultural ambassador, journalist, literary giant, and one of the intellectual architects of modern Bayelsa State.

His voice gave strength to the Ijaw struggle, his writings preserved the history of his people, and his unwavering commitment to truth and justice secured him an enduring place in Nigeria’s cultural and political history.

Though “Beks Royal” has taken his final bow, the stage he built continues to inspire generations, and the story he wrote with his life will remain part of the enduring heritage of the Niger Delta.

Source: Biography of Late Sir (Chief) S. M. O. Ambakederemo (1934 – 2016), authored by Elfrida Ambakederemo Anambia Arinze, included in the Timeless Persons Biography Archive.