Teacher, Principal, Administrator
Christopher Jack Alazigha was an educationist who contributed immensely to the eradication of illiteracy in the Niger Delta for over three decades.
Who Was Christopher Jack Alazigha?
Christopher Jack Alazigha (1937-2016) hailed from Okoloba town in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was an educationist par excellence in the 60s and late 90s. Unassuming, Christopher Alazigha left undeniable footprints on the sands of time as a political appointee of the Bayelsa State Government. He held a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the prestigious University of Wales in 1979. Sir Christopher Jack Alazigha adhered to the doctrines of the Anglican faith until his death in 2016 at the age of 79.
His Parents and Birth
A renowned patriarch, Chief Jack Alazigha of the illustrious Alazigha family in Abadani compound, Okoloba town, was Christopher’s father. His mother was the late Madam Flora Fiokumonum of Isounbiri in Odi community, all in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government of Bayelsa State. Christopher Jack Alazigha was born on August 5, 1937, in Okoloba community, Southern Nigeria.
Education
Christo, as he was fondly called, received his primary education at his hometown’s St. Peter’s School from 1948 to 1955 and obtained the First School Leaving Certificate. He later proceeded to the Preliminary Teachers Training Center at Oporoma in 1956. This institute provided him with a solid foundation in teaching. His contemporaries at the time included Justice David Koripamo (now late) and Francis Ugo (probably late). Subsequently, between 1958 and 1959, Christo attended the Teacher Training College (TTC) Rumuobiakani, Rivers State, for the Teachers Grade Three Certificate. In his quest to advance his teaching career, he attended Bishop Lasbrey College, Irete-Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, from 1963 to 1965, where he obtained the Grade II Certificate in teaching. In 1973, he won a place at the Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt, graduating in 1976 with a National Certificate of Education in Political Science and Geography. Later, his quest for higher education took him to the University of Wales, United Kingdom, to study education from 1978 to 1980, where he earned an Advanced Diploma and Bachelor’s degree in Education.
His Career
Fresh from Bishop Lasbrey College, Christopher Jack Alazigha was deployed as an elementary classroom teacher from 1965 to 1967. In 1968, he was promoted to the rank of headmaster and served in that capacity for five years. Afterwards, he rose through the ranks rapidly after his tertiary education and was appointed Vice Principal at St. Jude’s Girls School, Amarata, from 1976 to 1978. In 1980, he was promoted to Principal. His first posting was to River Nun Grammar School, Agbere/Odoni, Sagbama Local Government Area, where he served for two years. He was then transferred to Gbaranowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, from 1982 to 1984, and then to Bishop Dimieari Grammar School, Yenagoa, from 1985 to 1989. In 1990, Christo moved to Port Harcourt and became Principal of Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, for three eventful years. He was later promoted Deputy Director and Chief Zonal Supervisor of schools in Abua-Odual Local Government Area in Old Rivers State, from 1993 to 1995. Christopher Jack Alazigha retired meritoriously from the Old Rivers State Civil Service on January 1, 1996.
Life After Retirement
Life after retirement was never boring for him. Ten months after his retirement, Bayelsa State was created (October 1, 1996), and Christopher Alazigha conceived the idea of owning a modern school in the new state. He founded Erepa Group of Schools, which includes Nursery, Primary, and Secondary schools in Yenagoa, the state capital. The Bayelsa State Government at the time took over the first premises of the school, but a new site was found opposite the state judiciary. The site was again within government-designated land and had to be moved to its present facility in Yenizue-gene town. Today, the road along which the school is located has become established as Erepa Road, one of the most popular routes in Yenagoa. As the director/proprietor of Erepa Group of Schools, his drive and initiative were intangible assets that propelled the institution to greater heights. He retired in 2013.
Extracurricular Activities
His enthusiasm and free disposition were virtues he acquired formally and informally. He was a star footballer at the Preliminary Teachers Training Center at Oporoma in 1957. Christopher Jack Alazigha was the games captain at Bishop Lasbrey College, Irete-Owerri. He was also the Games Master at the TTC Rumuobiakani and was nicknamed “Awalaka” because of his passionate love for football. After his retirement from the public service, he was appointed a Member of the Bayelsa State Football Association.
Positions Held
Christopher Jack Alazigha held a series of distinctive positions that proved him to be a dependable leader and motivator. He was Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the old Yenagoa province from 1984 to 1989. Between 1985 and 1989, he was a member of the Police Public Relations Committee; member of the Welfare Committee for Youth Corps members; member of the Broom Club; and member of the Disciplinary Committee at the General Hospital, Yenagoa. He was also a Member II of the Local Government Election Tribunal in 1997 and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners from the creation of the state in 1996 to 2002. In 1999, the then Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha (now late), conferred on him the title of Justice of the Peace. He served as the first Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission from 2000 to 2004. Christopher Jack Alazigha was also the Chairman of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Elders Assembly in 2012. He loved writing and reading, and his sustained interest in promoting the Izon language led him to write booklets on the subject. “Learn the Izon Language” was one of the better-known titles.
His Faith
Christopher Jack Alazigha was a steadfast Anglican. The Niger Delta West Diocese knighted him in 2011. He had an eventful trip to the Holy Land (Israel), where he received confirmation of his spiritual restoration in Jesus Christ.
Family
Sir Christopher Jack Alazigha was married to Lady Dora Alazigha for over 45 years, and they raised thirteen industrious children who are impacting society today.
His Death
Sir Christopher Jack Alazigha died at the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, on July 3, 2016, and was interred 28 days later, according to Anglican Communion burial rites, on July 29, 2016, in his hometown in Abadani compound, Okoloba-Sabageria Town.
Christopher Jack Alazigha will be remembered for his forthright views on life, his unwavering vision for the growth and progress of his community, and his dependable words of advice.
