Actor, Insurer, Sport Organizer
Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe was a Public Relations Manager at Rivbank Insurance, an Entertainment Consultant, and a Movie Star from the early 80s.
Biography of Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe (1939-2007)
Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe was an award-winning insurer and actor born in 1939 in Twon-Brass Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He gained fame for his roles in many soap operas and theater plays of the 80s, notably starring as Mr. Amadioha in “Inside Out.” He also had a successful career as a Public Relations Manager at Rivbank Insurance and later became a Chief in Kemmer-ama, Twon-Brass Island. Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe was diagnosed with a stroke and passed away in 2007.
Early Life
Fondly called Bourdy, B.T., or B.T.C by friends and family, he was born on May 4, 1939, to the family of the late Mr. Atelstant Christian Epe and the late Mrs. Stella Christian Epe, both natives of Kemmer town in Twon-Brass Island, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. After the death of his parents, Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe stayed with his uncle, who greatly influenced his life by catering to his well-being and education. He completed his standard six at St. Barnabas Anglican School in 1956 with distinction.
He then moved to Lagos to seek greener pastures and was there when the Nigerian Civil War broke out between 1967 and 1969. He worked in both the private and public sectors but decided to leave Lagos after the Civil War in 1969 and moved to Rivers State, which was newly created by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
Career as an Insurer
In 1972, he joined Rivbank Insurance Company Limited as one of their pioneer staff. He worked diligently and meticulously, earning several awards and attending various courses. In 1979, he traveled to West Germany to enhance his knowledge of Insurance Management. Known as B.T.C, he became an excellent insurance guru, earning the nickname Mr. Insurance among his contemporaries at Rivbank. He rose to the rank of Public Relations Manager and retired in 1997 after twenty-five years of meritorious service.
Career as an Actor
From 1983 to 1989, even while working with Rivbank Insurance, acting almost took over his career as an insurer. He acted in numerous plays, both on live stages and television sets. Prominent among them was the popular television soap opera “Inside Out,” produced by Comish Ekiye. The cast included Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe as Sunny Amadioha (Managing Director), Babara Soky as Rosemary, Adiele Oyediba as Frank Gogo, Abraham Aimaku as Ken Chukwuma, and Doye Agama as Gabe Peterside. This soap opera was so captivating that it united and strengthened families as they gathered to watch it.
In the 80s, Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe was a Grand Lager Beer Ambassador, appearing on several billboards, posters, and television commercials sponsored by Grand Bottling Company, a brewing beer company owned by the old Rivers State government.
Sports Life and Promotion
Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe played football in the 60s with the likes of former National Team Coach Sebastian Broderick in Lagos. Wrestling was his favorite sport, and he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Rivers State Amateur Wrestling Association and later Chairman of the Association for eight years (1980-1988). During his tenure, he organized numerous wrestling events across the old Rivers State. Notably, he organized the biggest wrestling contest staged at Brass Island between Irigha Eferebo and Jackson Bidei.
Family and Residence
Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe married Mrs. Olayefa Epe in 1965, and they had 12 children. After retiring from screenplays and his career with Rivbank Insurance Limited, he acquired a property at Federal Housing Estate Road 2, Flat 12A, Agip Estate, Rumueme Mile 4, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as his residence.
His Last Days
He was installed as a Chief in his community, Kemmer town, on August 6, 2005, by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete Spiff (Amayenabo of Twon-Brass). Alabo Bourdilon Tonipre Christian Epe suffered a stroke and passed away on November 23, 2007. He was buried on May 30, 2008, according to the traditional rites of the Nembe people.
