The Life And Time Of Late Chief (Sir) P. B Djebah The Okpako Orere Of Okwagbe Town 1925 -2020

By Macaulay

WARRI :

Late Chief ( Sir )P B Djebah Was born on 26th March 1925 to Chief Djebah Bagun Ohwoefe of Imigbu quarters and Madam Maria Djebohwo Djebah nee Ughievwecha of Djariovwe quarters both of Okwagbe Inland, Ughelli-South L.G.A Delta State. His mother had lost four children before his birth. She wondered if he would survive, for that reason she left him by the side of the fire as he did not cry. He was then beaten before he started crying, hence he was named Bivese (seed with a parable). She had two children after him; Tavwiatota (died 1977) and married Ohwofamijeh officer in the Nigerian Army (died 1972).

He was enrolled into the Catholic Mission School in fountain 1 in 1932 but had to stop. He was later re-enrolled in 1940 where he studied till 1945. Since the school was without a standard 6 he had to move to Okrika in 1945. He once narrated how he had to trek to Ovwian in present day Udu L.G.A in search of a school to write the Standard Six. But since the Headmaster had only Primary 5 this was not possible. He had his Standard Six from Native Authority School, Okrika Forcados Division in 1946.

In search of employment, he journeyed to Burutu. This turned out to be unsuccessful. He then turned inward to begin trading. His business P.B Djebah & sons had a humble beginning in 1948. He commenced importation of shoes, shirts, hats and carpets from Europe. This was incorporated as a limited liability in 1972. At the break of the Nigeria Civil War, he was trapped in Okitipupa when coming back from Lagos. His beloved wife, had already taken charge along with his younger brother, Pa Edward A. Djebah of blessed memory (died 2019 at 92) to move the family back to Okwagbe. He eventually arried in Okwagbe using a boat from Okitipupa. At the declaration of the end of the war in January 1970, he left for Onitsha the following day in company of his wife. He recounted severally the corpse which laid on the streets and the destruction caused by the war. This informed his diversification to stocking and selling of building and construction materials with head office in Warri and branches in Lagos, Ughelli and Port Harcourt.

His activities in the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA) is of renown. As a member of the association he participated in numerous conferences and expos within Warri, Nigeria and internationally. His business acumen grew without borders. This enabled him to represent mid-west state (Bendel) in Hong Kong for commonwealth in 1970 and to attend the chambers of commerce and Expo in OsakaJapan also in 1970. Between 1973 and 1982 he represented in Brono-Czechoslovakia, Milan-Italy, Shanghai China and Seoul-South Korea in different trade exhibitions. He was a member of the Nigeria Trade Delegation in 1976 to Scandinavian Countries (Sweden, Finland Norway etc.) he became a member of Nigeria Council of International Chambers of Commerce with headquarters in Paris. His service to the Association was recognized with the title of Honorary Life Vice President.

Philip Bivese Djebah commitment to service of his community and humanity is worthy of note. He served as secretary to Okwagbe Youth between 1942 and 1944. He was also secretary of Okwagbe Progressive Union in 1953. As a member of Urhobo Progress Union, he was President of Okwagbe Progressive Union and President-General Ughiewen Union between 1967 and 1984. Between 1969 and 1974, he served as a councilor in the then Central Urhobo District Council, Ughelli and between 1974 and 1975 he served as the first Chairman of Ughievwen Management Council.

Though a very successful business and accomplished entrepreneur, his Catholic faith and devotion has been exemplary throughout the years. Sir Philip, along with his beloved wife, was enrolled as a Knight of the Noble Order of St. Mulumba on 21st December 1969. He served as the Deputy Pesident Catholic Diocesan Laity Council between 1973 and 1980. During this period, he led the Diocesan Delegate to Ibadan for Lagos Provincial Reception of his Eminence. Dominic Cardinal Ekandem. He ensured the establishment of the Parish of St. Patrick Okwagbe came to fruition. Sir, Philip Djebah served at the Sacred Hearth Cathedral Warri as Chairman Harvest Committee (1985-1990).

Laity Council, Pastor Council amongst others. He served the Order of Mulumba as a Grand Knight between 1987 and 1996. During this period, he represented the Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N) IN 1989 HELD IN Benedict XVI in the order of St. Gregory the Great. His devotion as a member of the Order of St. Mulumba over the years was without doubt, his contribution to the development of the sub-council and the Order general.

Sir Philip along with his beloved wife Lady Martha undertook pilgrimages to enhance his spiritual life; to the Vatican City (Rome) in 1973, the Holy Year of 1975, Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal) and the Holy Land (Israel) in 1991. They were also present at the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Richard Burke in Rome, 1996. It was in 1975 he had audience with the Pope St. Paul VI. Also, in 1996 he was privileged to have an audience with Pope St. John II.

As a man of repute and distinction, his commitment to hardwork and diligence could not escape the attention of the government. In this light, he served as Midwest State Juvenille Court Assessor between 1965 and 1969. He was appointed as a member of Hospital Management board of Midwest State and served between 1971 and 1974. He was Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, Ughelli Zone which include Oleh, Ilueogbo, Ozoro, Sapele, Warri and Forcados Hospitals between 1974 – 1975. Also, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of Board of Directors in the Nigeria National Supply Company (a Federal Government Parastatal) where he served between 1980-1983.

Philip Bivese Djebah was the Chairman of Nigeria Association for care Resettlement of Offenders, Warri and Federal gazette Chairman of Prison visitation committee from 1986 to 1993. He was bestowed with the prestigious title of Justice of Peace (JP) in the Defunct Bendel State by the then Governor of Bendel State, Col. John Mark Inienger in 1987 he was appointed to serve as the vice president of the Nigerian Prisons Association, Bendel State Chapter for a period of 4 years.

Sir Philip has been recognized in various spheres of life for his contributions and philanthropic gestures. He was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Okpate of Ovie of Ughelli by the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom in 1981 and the Okpovi of Ughievwen Kingdom by the Okobaro of Ughievwen in 2010.

He got married to his wife Chief (Mrs.) Martha Sanaye Djebah (nee Ata) on 11th August 1951 and blessed with 10 children. The support of his beloved mother Madam Maria Djebohwo Djebah cannot be forgotten. On his settlement in Warri, his mother would load fire on her boat and take them to her son because she could not understand why he had to spend money to buy fire wood in the name of moving to the city. It took a lot of effort to convince her before giving up the voyage. On his settlement in Warri, he lived in rented apartments first in Christmas Compound, Odion (present day Iyara Street) Djowah’s compound and wool’s compound both in James Street Warri before completing his first house in 1955 (No 1 Omoine Street, Warri).

With this, he was enlisted the landlords in Warri. Owning properties gradually gave birth to Prince Djebah Property Development Co. Ltd. His life was not without crosses. Thongs pieced him yet he was willing to move on. “many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the Lord was willing to deliver him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). The demise of his Children, Engr. (Mrs.) Agatha Oboro, Mr. Gabriel Oghenetega Djebah (24th December 2005). Mr. Fred Ogbavwudu Djebah (12th May 2015) and Mrs. Catherine Esefieghiren Oji (2nd January 2017) left him much like the Biblical Job. Notwithstanding, his faith would not dwindle.

At the end of January 2020, he became the Okpak’Orere of Okwagbe town (inland and waterside). Was awaited his formal installation but this was not to be as the lockdown due to Covid-19 kept all homebound. Sir Philip spent his last two weeks at Bryant hospital and slept in the Lord on the morning of Tuesday 16th June 2020 under the care of Dr. Bright Djebah his nephew. The family expressed their appreciation to Dr. Sir Enoma A. Bazuaye and the medical team of Humanity hospital, Dr. Bright Djebah & his team of Bryant Hospital Warri, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezuluofor O.S.A & all the Augustinian Priests of St. Cyprian as well as the Parishioners, very Rev. Fr. Abaka Oghenejode Jnr., Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Eyitene, very Rev. Fr. Augustine Okoh and all priests for the support.

He survived by:

Chief (Mrs.) Martha Sanaye Djebah (LSM) – Wife

Mr. Patrick Oghenekevwe Djebah – Son

Barr. (Mrs.) Josephyn Dinakin – Daughter

Chief (Barr.) Clement Ekwevugbe Djebah- Son

Mr. Ejiro Omotekwagbe Agnes Momodu - Daughter

Mr. Cyril Ohwoefe Djebah – Son

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Djebah- Son

Brothers:

Mr. Robinson Rhivwiror C. Djebah

Mr. David Onorobaro Djebah

Sisters: