Major (Fss) (RTD, Chief)
Parents and Birth
Late Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha was born August 6, 1934 in Nembe into the family of late Chief Robert Latei Yekorogha of Chief Yekorogha house of Nembe and chief/ite house of Okpoama on one hand and late madam Lydia Bibitara okoko of Ikata Oruwari house and Chief Ogbari group of houses of Nembe all in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas ofBayelsa state.
Education
As a young child, from 1942 to 1953 he attended the famous St. Luke’s school, Nembe and got his first school leaving certificate. He later proceeded to the Lagos City College – Western Nigeria where he was from 1954 to 1955 before enlisted into the Nigeria Army on 30th August 1955.
An Army Officer
He joined the military as a junior rating and rose through the rank to the coveted rank of a Major. He served as a formidable Instructor at the prestigious Nigeria Defense Academy. Also at different times he served in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 82 division of the Nigeria army around the country.
He was also privileged to have attended professional military courses in the United Kingdom, lusane in Switzerland and in Fort lee Virginia in United States of America where he was awarded a Diploma in Supply Management.
In the Nigeria civil war of 1967 to 1969, he also feature and brought victory for federal army forces. He was at various times a member of the Nigeria contingent to united nation peace keeping force in Lebanon etc.
His deeds in the military were towering, he was awarded the Federal Service Star (Fss) for exemplary service in Nigeria army. After years meritorious service, he retired meritoriously to a private life on 30th August, 1984 as a full fledged Major.
Life After Retirement
His retirement from the military was not a doldrums for him. He enlisted to serve in the Old Rivers state in several capacities among which he was appointed member of the Rivers state rent Tribunal for Borokiri zone, Port Harcourt. Thereafter, the Fedilis Oyekilohome led Military government appointed him a member of the Board of Director of the Rivers state Newspaper Corporation from 1985 to 1989.
Also, in his native land, Nembe, he was appointed Security Adviser to the Nembe Local Government Council and its equivalent government Council in Brass from 1990 to 1995.
His Stewardship
During his military days, he was always identified with his kinsmen and was active member of many social and Cultural groups. While in Lagos, he was Chairman, Opu-Nembe Descendant Union, Lagos branch from 1972 – 1975; he was chairman, Nembe National Union in Ibadan, 1976 – 1978; also he was the Chairman Nembe National Union in Kaduna state from 1979 – 1980 and from 1981 – 1985, he was Chairman, Nembe National Union in Enugu state.
Most importantly, Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha was also an active member of the Opu Sekiapu Club, he featured as a Senior member (Aga yanabo). Subsequently, he became an active member of the famous Obiamini club and Sena Social Club of Nembe.
His Family
Chief Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha was officially married to his wife Mrs Atonbara and had children. Also, he had other children with several other women. In spite of the vast family, he was robust financially and morally to provide for his family.
Chieftaincy
In 1982 thereabout, due to his stewardship and immerse contributions in the society and having been a pure descendant of the Yekorogha dynasty, he was bestowed a Chieftaincy title to represent the Yekorogha group of houses in the Nembe Council of Chief and beyond.
In addition to the above, he succeeded in nominating Six persons to be honoured as a chief in the Yekorogha Chieftaincy house. He also aided in constituting a constitution drafting committee which report is presently in the possession of the house secretary Mr. Ebiegberi Ikrute and hope it is in operation.
Accomplishments As Chief
Late Chief Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha accomplished greatly as the head chief of yekorogha group of houses. He facilitated the conversion of the 2 wooden bridges to concrete bridges in Isuokiri and also built the men’s toilets courtesy of former Deputy Governor, Bayelsa state, his Excellency, Admiral John Jonah (Rtd). His other accomplishments are:
- Expansion of Isuokiri square to a benefiting standard and
- Renovation of the Okpu (Mausoleum) and the remodeling of the Duwiesu -wari.
- Warehouse was built for safe keeping of properties that belong to Yekorogha house such as chairs, tables, canopies, musical sets and generators etc.
- Building a war canoe for the house.
- Offered scholarships to indigent children in Isoukiri compound
Death
Chief Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha passed on 25th September, 2021 and interred in Nembe – Ogbolomabiri ().
Properties
While he was alive, he had the following landed properties which are as follows:
- 14 and 16 orogbum crescent new GRA Port Harcourt, Rivers state
- 54 Alagbaro Road, Alaba, Lagos State
His Faith
Besides him being a respect chief and custodian of the Nembe traditions and customs, he still kept faith with the Anglican communion. Chief Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha was staunched member of the St. Lukes Anglican Church, Nembe and of which he supported in the development of the fold in Nembe Kingdom.
His friends
late Chief Nathaniel Ingialasuogha Robert Yekorogha was a notable friend for friend and foe for foe in his time in the military and afterwards. He kept good relationships with these fellows and of which most of them are predeceased:
- Late Major Geoffery Nimi
- Late Major Ingordia
- Capt glory koru
- Late Lt. Col ayah
- Late Col Akono
- Rear Admiral Sam Sele
- Air Commodore Benjamin Natus