Nurse
Early Life
Madam Priscilla Preye Appah was born on August 28, 1936, at the Kaiama Maternity Home, which was managed by the renowned midwife, Mrs. Christiana Koripamo. Mrs. Koripamo, the first midwife in the Niger Delta and one of the first registered nurse-midwives in Nigeria, greatly influenced Priscilla’s life, inspiring her to follow in her footsteps.
Priscilla’s father, Mr. Burudongha Appah, was from Wanka Wari in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, while her mother, Mrs. Banioru Obamein Rossanah Appah (née Boufuru), hailed from Igbelewari Okotiama in Gbarain Ekpetiama, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Education
Priscilla began her education at the Reverend Proctor Memorial School in Kaiama, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 1953. In the mid-1950s, she moved to Aba, Eastern Nigeria, to pursue a Grade Two Midwifery program at the General Hospital. Her excellent performance earned her commendable grades.
After returning to Old Rivers State, Priscilla furthered her education with a Grade One Midwifery certificate on December 15, 1977. Determined to continue her medical education, she enrolled at the School of Nursing in Port Harcourt and earned her General Nursing certificate on April 10, 1987. During her time there, she became affectionately known as “Great Grandmother” by the late Doctor Long John due to being the oldest member of her class.
Work Life
After completing her primary education, Priscilla initially worked as a teacher in Gbarain before moving to Kaiama, where she taught for six months. However, her passion for healthcare led her to pursue a career in midwifery. She secured a job at the Sabagreia Maternity Home and, after returning from Aba in 1958, worked alongside notable colleagues such as the late Mrs. Agnes Ikpaikpai and Miss Roseline Okubo.
Priscilla later worked as a domiciliary midwife in Lagos for three years before returning home. She was the pioneer midwife at Oporoma Maternity Home before transitioning briefly into foodstuff trading. In 1971, she joined the Rivers State Government and was posted to Yenagoa General Hospital. By 1974, she had transferred to the General Hospital in Port Harcourt, where she worked in various government clinics.
Priscilla’s dedication saw her posted to the General Hospital Elele-Alimini and later the General Hospital Ahoada, where she served for nearly nine years. After Bayelsa State was created in 1996, she was shortlisted for an office role but was instead posted to the General Hospital Okolobiri (now the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital). She served there for four years before being reinstated as Chief Nursing Officer on August 28, 2000. She retired after a long and fruitful career.
Christian Life
Raised in the Anglican faith by her devout mother, Priscilla was baptized and confirmed by the late Bishop E.T. Dimieary. She was a dedicated chorister and actively contributed to the church’s growth, embodying her strong Christian values throughout her life.
Social Life
Madam Priscilla Preye Appah was a highly sociable individual, well-known for her involvement in the Izon-speaking community and her leadership in the “Kaiama Ladies Progressive Women” organization. This group was among the first in the region to affiliate with the National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria in 1986. A respected community leader, Priscilla’s contributions as a mother, mentor, and professional enriched the lives of many.
Legacy and Demise
Throughout her 87 years, Priscilla Preye Appah embodied resilience, generosity, and leadership. Her legacy includes her work as a nurse, midwife, and teacher, as well as her contributions to her community and the lives of those she touched. On September 21, 2023, at 3:15 a.m., Madam Priscilla Preye Appah peacefully passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy of service, compassion, and dedication to her faith and profession.
