King Harris Sellenanabo Eseimokumoh was a distinguished medical physician from the Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. He made significant contributions to the medical sector of the Niger Delta.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 5, 1930, in Ebedebiri Town, which he fondly called Ebedoubiri, meaning “We are people who love good things,” he was the son of Owuku Eseimokumoh and Keniyinbo Owuopele Eseimokumoh, both of Tarakiri descent. As a teenager, Pere Eseimokumoh had a passion for saving twins and helping the elderly, traits that groomed his medical creativity. He received his primary education at Native Administration School, Ebedebiri, from 1939 to 1949. In 1952, with the help of his eldest sister Yinlade, he proceeded to Government Teachers Training College, Abraka, and graduated in 1955.
Career Beginnings
His career began as a teacher at Africa School, Apapa-Lagos, from 1955-1957. He then worked at the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industries as a clerk between 1957 and 1959. Determined to make a greater impact, he became a clerk at the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1959 to 1961 before resigning to pursue further studies abroad. He studied at the University of Leipzig, University of Rostock, and University of Jena in Germany between 1961 and 1973, earning degrees including MSE, GSC (Surg), FMCS, and a Medical Doctorate (PhD). He returned to Nigeria in 1974 to serve his people.
Practicing Physician
Dr. Eseimokumoh’s medical career began in 1974 as a Senior Registrar in the surgery department at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt. He rose through the ranks to become a consultant, Senior Consultant, Chief Consultant, and Chief Consultant Surgeon. He served as Director of Health Services in the Directorate of Health, Governor’s Office (1979-1983), Rivers State. His last position in public service was as Chief Consultant in Charge of Braithwaithe Memorial Hospital, a special hospital owned by the Rivers State Government. He retired meritoriously in 1995.
Professional Affiliations and Contributions
HRM King Dr. Eseimokumoh was a core professional known in and outside professional circles. He was a member of the Nigerian Medical Association and the German Association of Surgeons (East Germany). He also served as Chairman of the Industrial and Business Promotion Commission, Old Rivers State (1980). His leadership brought vibrancy to the commission. He was later made a member of the advisory committee to the governor of Bayelsa State and appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors, Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa. Over the years, he authored several medical publications.
Family
HRM King Dr. Eseimokumoh was a polygamist, married to three wives who bore him six children before he left for Germany. In Germany, he married the late Dr. (Mrs.) Waltraud Eseimokumoh (née Rosenberger), a world-class physician. Their marriage was blessed with two children.
As Royal Majesty
After retiring in 1995, he returned to become King and was deeply involved in the activities of the Kingdom. He fought for the Kingdom to be established with royalty being possible for any true Tarakiri-born, going to court to gazette the Royal stool of the Kingdom. He eventually became the Chairman of the Tarakiri Council of Chiefs and traditional Prime Minister in the 1990s. In 2000, he was installed as the PERE of Tarakiri Kingdom as Tarakiriowei VI, winning the first constitutional election of the Kingdom with one vote he called the Golden Vote. He ruled his people for 12 years.
HRM King Dr. Eseimokumoh was a technocrat and royal father whose ascendancy to the throne brought much-needed peace and progress to the Kingdom. He was a prominent traditional wrestler in the defunct Western Ijaw division and an avid reader, writer, and orator with an apt memory of events and history. As a Justice of the Peace, he was a lovable personality and extremely wise in handling conflicts. He provided free medical attention to many individuals within and outside his domain.
His Death
He passed away on March 21, 2012.
