Early Life
Adolphus Amabebe was born on November 16, 1939, to Michael Kungbowei Amabebe and Mrs. Alice Amabebe, along with a twin sister who sadly did not survive in Cameroon. His mother, Alice, originally from the Azuzuama community, faced banishment to the Evil Forest due to the taboo associated with giving birth to twins. Despite societal pressure, his father, Michael, a courageous fisherman from the Koluama community, vehemently opposed this unjust practice. He threatened legal action against anyone attempting to harm his son or mistreat his wife, which he brought before the customary court at Twon-Brass. This courageous stance played a crucial role in ending the killing of twins in Koluama and its surroundings. Michael passed away in 1958.
Education
At the age of eight, Adolphus began his formal education at St. John’s Anglican School in Eniwari, situated in the Bomo Clan of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, present-day Bayelsa state. His academic journey commenced with Class IA. In his memoirs, he reflected on the challenges of education during his time, noting that it took an average pupil nine years to complete primary school, spanning classes IA, IB, II, and Standards I to VI. Access to education was particularly difficult for those without significant financial means.
To support his education, he served his uncle, the late Mr. S.J. Orunimighen, a teacher, and accompanied him wherever he was transferred for teaching assignments. Through hard work and dedication, Adolphus successfully passed his Standard IV class in 1953, progressing to Standard V in 1954. At the time, St. Luke’s Anglican School Korokorosei, where he was studying, concluded at Standard IV, lacking Standard V and VI classes. It’s worth noting that only two schools in the entire Southern Ijaw District—St. Stephen’s Anglican School, Amassoma, and St. James’ Anglican School, Ekeu (now Ekowe)—offered Standards V and VI.
He was admitted to Standard V at St. James’ Anglican School in Ekeu in 1954, which was closer to his community, Koluama. Among his classmates were Samuel Ikporo, Gelsthrompe Ugbeinbo, Johnson Olotu, and Jonathan Dick Ogbeyan. His time at the school was significant, marked by the experience of being a boarding student for two years.
In 1955, at the age of fifteen, he successfully passed the first school-leaving certificate (Standard VI) examination. However, financial constraints prevented him from advancing to secondary school in 1956. For the next twelve years, Adolphus engaged in fishing and various odd jobs to sustain himself. Fate eventually led him into the teaching profession, where he served as a pupil teacher in several communities in the Niger Delta. Later, he transitioned from a secular career to a missionary path.
Around 1965, he secured admission to the renowned St. Paul’s College in Awka, Anambra state, where he trained as a Catechist, successfully completing the program in 1966 and being commissioned as a catechist in 1967.
Following his time as a pupil teacher, Adolphus studied independently to pass the GCE O and A Levels exams. This achievement opened doors for him to attend St. John’s College in Diobu, Port Harcourt, where he pursued short courses in 1971 and 1972, leading to the acquisition of the Teachers Grade II Certificate.
From 1973 to 1975, he furthered his education at Trinity (Union) Theological College in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, engaging in a three-year theological program and earning a Diploma in Theology (Dip. Th) in December 1975. Later, in 1979, Adolphus was admitted to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, for a postgraduate course, earning a Master of Arts in Religion with a major in Historical Theology and a minor in Exegetical Theology. He completed the program and obtained his M.A. degree on May 23, 1980.
Marriage/Family
Rt. Rev. Adolphus Amabebe entered into holy matrimony with Mrs. Daisy Amabebe (née Osaisai) in 1967. Their union was consecrated on November 22, 1977, at St. Cyprian’s Church, Port Harcourt. Daisy remained a steadfast and supportive wife until her demise on April 6, 2022. The marriage was blessed with children and grandchildren.
Career Life
Adolphus Amabebe embarked on a successful career as a pupil teacher and clergyman. Initially, he was employed as a pupil teacher in Southern Ijaw County under the Universal Primary Education Scheme. His first posting was at Minibie in Akassa Clan, where he taught for the initial term from January to April. He then moved to Ekeni – Ezetu, where he dedicated four years and eight months of service, teaching from April 1959 to December 1963. Following this, he was transferred to Amatolo in Ogboin Clan, continuing his role as a teacher under the Universal Primary Education Scheme.
Missionary Work
In 1964, Adolphus transitioned to a missionary role as a fully-fledged catechist within the Anglican Communion. His first posting was at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Ogidiama (now Otuogidi in Ogbia Kingdom), where he served for four months from January to April. Subsequently, he was assigned to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where he worked from 1967 to 1972. During this time, he witnessed the hardships and brutalities of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1969) in the Amassoma community.
Undeterred by challenges, Adolphus remained steadfast in the Lord’s vineyard, contributing to the spiritual well-being of the community. After obtaining a certificate in theology in December 1975, he was ordained as a Deacon at St. Paul’s Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt. Subsequently, after an examination, he was ordained as a Priest at St. John’s Church, Rumuokwusi, in December 1976. He served as a Curate at St. Cyprian’s Church, Port Harcourt, from 1976 to 1978, under the leadership of Venerable O. D. C. Brown, the Archdeacon of Bonny at the time. After returning from the United States, Adolphus was posted to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Bonny, where he served as a Cathedral Priest.
During this period, Very Rev. I. I Oyet, who had returned from the United Kingdom, resumed his position as the provost of the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s Bonny and appointed Adolphus as the Chaplain of the Cathedral.
In 1982, Adolphus was seconded to Christ Church Interdenominational in Port Harcourt. Later, he was posted to St. Luke’s Church in Nembe (now the Cathedral of St. Luke), where he served as the vicar/superintendent between 1985 and 1986.
In 1987, Adolphus was appointed Archdeacon and posted to St. Peter’s Church in Yenagoa, overseeing Yenagoa Archdeaconry as its pioneer Archdeacon. He served in this capacity for ten years. In July 1996, Ven. Adolphus was reassigned to Okrika Archdeaconry by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. J. A. Adetiloye, Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, during a provincial meeting at St. Cyprian’s, Port Harcourt. He served in Okrika Archdeaconry for two years.
Subsequently, he was promoted to the position of Dean of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny, and officially posted there in 1998. He was addressed as “The Very Rev. Adolphus Amabebe” during his two-year tenure as the Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen’s, Bonny, Rivers State.
On November 22, 1999, Adolphus was elected, confirmed, and consecrated as Bishop at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Lagos. The Diocese of the Niger Delta West was formally inaugurated on Sunday, November 28, 1999.
To the glory of God, Adolphus Amabebe, once a seemingly hopeless twin boy rejected by society due to the taboo of twin births, had now been elevated by God to a position that human effort alone could not achieve. As the Scripture says, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner” (Psalm 118:22). Indeed, “this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23-24).
Contributions to Church Growth
During his tenure as Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese for a decade, Rt. Rev. Adolphus Amabebe achieved significant strides both spiritually and materially, leaving an indelible mark on the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
One notable accomplishment was the substantial growth in the priesthood, exceeding 100%. This was achieved through the establishment of the Rev. D.O. Ockiya College of Theology and Management Sciences at Emeyal II. This institution played a crucial role in training and retraining pastors, enhancing evangelistic efforts. The pioneer Rector and