‘Africa’s first tug master’ is no more

By BERNARD ONYENOKWE

ABOUT 50 years ago, a great warrior, “Ovuworie”, migrated from Ihero family in Okpe-Isoko to Onyah in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State and later settled in a place called Osekwenike, now in Bayelsa. One of his sons was Okorie.

Pa Daniel Ogu Ovuworie was born to grandpa Okorie and his wife, Obianute, who was from Ubunem quarters in Onyah in January 1917. He was the second of three sons and many sisters. At about the age of fourteen, young Ogu was taken by his eldest sister (Iferunwa) to Aboh where he started school in 1931.

Having obtained in 1938 his first school leaving certificate (Standard Six), Daniel proceeded to Lagos in 1939, in search of a job. His elder brother, Robert O. Okorie of blessed memory, was already there. In 1940, he started his working career as a deckhand in Nigeria Marine Department which, some years later, broke into three services namely: The Nigeria Ports Authority, the Nigeria Navy, and the Nigeria Inland Water Ways. He opted for the Nigeria Ports Authority which he proudly and meritoriously served, rising through the ranks until his retirement as “senior tug master” in 1977.

Two spectacular events among others in his career stand out for mention. The first was in 1942. While Pa Ovuworie was on duty with his colleagues at the Apapa Wharf, a bomb exploded, sinking some boats and rocking others. He and some of his colleagues swam to safety.

The second was in 1956. At that time, no African had attained the rank of a tug master. It was a position reserved for expatriates. So, on that day, he was required to perform the duty of a tug master, to go to sea with a tug boat and tow a ship that was waiting to be brought to the shore. It was a momentous occasion in Apapa Wharf. All other works were suspended while the staff and well-wishers lined the wharf in expectation as Pa Daniel Ovuworie, masterfully, pulled out to sea and within a short period, gracefully, and to the admiration of the waiting crowd, towed the ship and berthed it safely. While he was carried shoulder high, others struggled to touch or shake hands with him. Then, he was promoted and nicknamed “the first Africa tug master”. His expatriate predecessor was one Mr Pilcher.

He was a true Nigerian. Eleven of his children, for instance, are happily married into seven states of the federation – two in Anambra, four in Delta and one each in Imo, Lagos, Edo, Ondo and Oyo.

Pa Ovuworie’s was committed to the education not only of his children but also of other relations.  Of his 15 children, 14 are graduates, while the youngest, an undergraduate, will soon join the others to score their father 100 per cent in graduate production spanning various disciplines and professions – medicine, engineering, dentistry, law, education, economics, psychology, English, etc.
Pa Ovuworie, at 92, lived a fulfilled life, was a refined and accommodating gentleman whose house was always filled with relatives and children.  He must be a happy man as he finally goes home to the warm embrace of our Lord.