Poet, Elder Statesman, Army Officer, Chief
Alabo Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA was a distinguished military officer and a respected community Chief from the Niger Delta. He fought for Nigeria’s unity during the Nigerian Civil War.
Who Was Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA?
Chief Pastor (Major) Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA hailed from Ogblomabiri-Nembe in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was a product of Kalabari National College (KNC), Buguma, and enlisted in the Nigerian Army as an infantry officer. His military service was exceptional, and he fought gallantly in the Nigerian-Biafran War as a frontline soldier. He retired as a Major. In Nembe Kingdom, he was also a highly respected and formidable community Chief, leading the Nembe Chiefs’ Council with great success. A prolific poet and a servant of God, his legacy endures. He passed away at the age of 86 in Port Harcourt.
Birth and Parents
Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA was born on November 10, 1935, into the Egi and Gbasigha families of Nembe. His father, Adukpo Egi Efere, popularly known as Chief Will Kemmer Oruwari, was an aristocrat and a highly influential figure in his time. He belonged to the Okainfie family in King Ikata, Chiefs Oruwari/Kemmer group of War Canoe Houses, and the Ogbari & Basuo Group of Houses in Nembe Kingdom. His mother, Ngoebiye Gbasigha, the last wife of Adukpo, hailed from the King Ockiya, Chiefs Omo/Berena Group of Houses in Nembe Kingdom and Agudama in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Education
From 1944 to 1951, he attended St. Luke’s School in Nembe, one of the oldest schools in Nigeria, founded in 1869. After completing his primary education, he attended Kalabari National College in Buguma from 1951 to 1957, one of the oldest secondary schools in the Niger Delta. During his youth, he actively participated in age-grade activities such as Omungo-aru dogu, swimming contests, and Seki-apu dance clubs. He was also deeply interested in learning about his roots and the history of his people, establishing close relationships with elders and chiefs.
Military Days
In 1957, he joined the Nigerian Army and underwent extensive military training both locally and internationally. He started as a Sergeant and was granted a Regular Combatant Commission after completing his Cadet Training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant and became a Senior Cadet. Before his commission, he served as an Education Instructor at the Nigerian Army Education Corps. He rose through the ranks, ultimately reaching the rank of Major by 1974.
Nigeria/Biafra War
During the Nigerian Civil War, he served in various roles including Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Company Commander, and Battle Group Commander. He was wounded in action, with bullets passing through his right arm and lower abdomen. Remarkably, a small Bible in his field jacket was also torn by the bullets, and he believed it saved his life.
After the war, he continued to command infantry battalions and act as Brigade Commander in several locations, including:
- 2 Div Rear Task Force, Ikeja, Lagos
- 186 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Benin and Ibadan
- 202 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Ore
- 133 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Owo
- 131 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Oshogbo
- Brigade Major, 7 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Sokoto
- 65 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Sokoto
- Acting Brigade Commander, 7 Infantry Brigade, N.A. Sokoto
- 74 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Gusau
- 184 Infantry Battalion, N.A. Okitipupa
- DAA & QMQ, 2 Infantry Brigade, N.A. Port Harcourt
His morale in battle was highly praised. Brigadier-General Samuel Femi Daramola described him as an epitome of morale in battle. His troops refused to leave their position when he was wounded, believing they were not safe without his presence. Major Pedro Adukpo-Egi’s military career ended with a medical discharge in May 1980 due to the injuries he sustained during the war.
Extra-Regimental Engagements
Pedro Adukpo-Egi IKATA contributed significantly outside of the military, including:
- Chairman of the South Africa Relief Fund in Gusau LGA, which raised the highest amount in the country in 1977.
- Organizing the largest Operation Feed the Nation Farm in the Nigerian Army at Gusau, which was visited by Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo.
- Providing suggestions on national issues to the supreme commander and Head of State.
- Contributing to the National Drought Relief Fund in 1973.
Civilian and Social Life
After retiring from the military, he became a contractor, businessman, and investor. He was the Founder/Chairman/CEO of Opuada Co. Nig Ltd and partnered with various companies. He briefly ventured into partisan politics, running for a position in Brass LGA in the 1980s but was unsuccessful.
Pedro Adukpo-Egi IKATA was also deeply involved in social clubs, including the defunct Senocratic Society of Nembe, where people from all walks of life would gather during festive periods to celebrate, share ideas, and promote community growth.
Leadership Roles
- Life Member of the Bible Society of Nigeria
- Former Chairman, Defunct NPN Brass LGA (Nembe, Brass, Ogbia)
- Chairman of Nembe Chiefs Council at various times between 1987 and 2003
- Grand Patron of the Nembe Youth Movement
- Associate Member, Nigeria Red Cross Society (Bayelsa State)
- Founder/Vice Chairman, Retired Armed Forces Officers Forum
- Chairman, Brass/Nembe LGA United Front to aid the newly created Bayelsa State
- Member of the Federal Board of Directors, Savannah Sugar Company NUMAN
In 1997, he was honored with three prestigious awards by the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria, including the Honorary Fellowship Award.
Papa as a Chief
Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA was appointed Head Chief of the King Ikata, Chiefs Oruwari/Kemmer Group of Houses in Nembe Kingdom on November 10, 1979. He was installed by the Amanyanabo of Nembe, HRM Justice Ambrose Alagoa Mingi II, on January 18, 1980. Throughout his tenure, he devoted his time, resources, and energy to the service of his community. He also served four terms as Chairman of the Nembe Chiefs Council.
Religious Life
Chief Ikata was raised in the Anglican faith and was confirmed as a member of St. Luke’s Church in Nembe. He later joined the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in 1982 and was baptized as a member. He was ordained as a pastor in 2006. Despite the division within the Brotherhood, he continued to remain a dedicated member of the fold. He also respected other religions and valued individual freedom of belief.
His Values
Pedro Adukpo-Egi IKATA was a man of integrity who stood firm in his beliefs. He abhorred oppression and injustice and was always ready to help others. He worked tirelessly for the growth and progress of his community and his nation.
Orator and Poet
As a poet, some of his works included “Journey to the Seaside,” “To My Mother,” and the renowned “I Believe,” written in 1966 during the Nigerian crisis. His poetry often reflected his deep convictions about democracy, justice, liberty, and humanity.
His Death
Chief Pedro Ayebanimiworio Adukpo-Egi IKATA passed away peacefully on August 7, 2021, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
His Residences Until Death:
- No. 44B Omerelu Street, G.R.A. Phase 1, Port Harcourt
- No. 1 King Ikata Boulevard, Igopiri, Nembe (which he intended to rename “MINGIAPOLIS”)
HIS SIGNATURE
