Agriculturist, Administrator
Late Chief Abele Alfred Pondei, from Amassoma community in Bayelsa State, made his mark as the first graduate from his community. In the old Rivers State, he was a prominent Chief Livestock Officer, leaving a lasting legacy.
Career Overview
Fondly called Chief A. A. Pondei, he was an exceptional agriculturist. He served as Chief Livestock Officer of old Rivers State, Director General, and former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission.
Early Life and Education
Abele Alfred Pondei was born on October 3, 1934, into the family of Mounkurai and Mrs. Tabaseri Pondei in Ibenikiri Ama, Amassoma Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He attended St. Stephen’s School, Amassoma (1946-1952) and earned his First School Leaving Certificate. In 1953, he enrolled at Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, completing his West African School Certificate in 1959.
In 1961, he won the County Council Regional Scholarship Award, allowing him to study agriculture at the Akure School of Agriculture (1962-1964), where he earned a diploma at Moore Plantation, Ibadan. He later attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1966 to study animal sciences under a Federal Government scholarship for the Niger Delta Special Areas. Unfortunately, the Nigerian Civil War disrupted his studies, forcing him to relocate to Lagos for safety.
He later resumed his education at the University of Ibadan, where he graduated in 1968 with a B.Sc. in Animal Science (Second Class Honors Upper Division), becoming the first university graduate from Amassoma.
Family and Faith
Chief Pondei was a devout Anglican, baptized in 1953. He actively supported the church and was a patron of the Boys Brigade, Bayelsa State. A polygamist, he had three wives and many children.
Career
Chief Pondei began his public service career in 1953, working with the Census Commission in Southern Nigeria as an enumerator. He also briefly served as a pupil teacher in Amassoma.
He joined the Post and Telecoms (P & T) department in Lagos in 1961 as a clerical officer. In 1962, he moved to the Niger Delta Development Board, where he was posted to Akure, Western Nigeria, as an agricultural assistant.
After graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1968, he worked as a research officer at the Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Jos, Plateau State (1968-1970). He then joined the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, where he rose through the ranks to become Chief Livestock Officer and later Deputy Director (1970-1984). Under his leadership, livestock production reached its peak in old Rivers State, earning him the nickname “Chicken Pondei.”
In addition to his work in agriculture, he served as an electoral officer from 1987 to 1989, conducting the elections that brought in Dr. Gilbert Imigbi as council chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area. He later became the sole administrator of the council for one year and six months.
Chief Pondei also contributed to food production and marketing as General Manager of Pabod Food Company (1991-1994). He played a key role in revitalizing the company and coordinated the Food for the People Program under the military administrator of old Rivers State, Ernest Adeleye.
In 1994, he returned to the civil service, serving as Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and later of Commerce and Industry. When Bayelsa State was created on October 1, 1996, he transferred his service to the new state, becoming a pioneer Director General in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. He retired from the civil service in 1998 and later served on the Risonpalm board.
In 2000, he was appointed Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission by Governor D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha.
Awards and Community Involvement
Chief Pondei received a chieftaincy title, Oniovuesiri of Uwheru Kingdom, from the people of Uwheru, Delta State, in recognition of his contributions. He was a member of the prestigious Club 50 of Amassoma and served as Community Development Committee Chairman of his community. He was also a patron of the Boys Scout, Ladies Club Amassoma, and the Cultural Club Ekowe.
He was an active farmer, writer, and photographer, and a certified Justice of the Peace. He traveled extensively to further his knowledge of agriculture.
Death
Chief Abele Alfred Pondei passed away on December 2, 2017, at the age of 83 after several illnesses due to old age.
