CHIEF (Hon) Chamberlain Fidelis Abeki with the “Kulo or a.k.a” –Akpakpasemangha” was born September 15, 1939 in Gbamgbose Street present day Lagos Island LGA in Lagos State to late Pa Amabuodor Johnson Abeki of Egonifia family in Ekise No 2, Quarter Patani by late Madam Bekeyibo A. Abeki (Nee Tombiri of Osuowari Quarter) all in Patani Community in now Patani LGA of Delta state.

Chief Abeki  commenced his academic pursuit at CMS Primary School Patani, and then proceeded  to Patani Model School.  He later moved to the famous Esena-ebe College Bomadi in the thenWestern Region of Nigeria.

In his remarkable quest for knowledge, he gained admission into the University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) and graduated in 1973, then undertook his NYSC programme in Akpamkpa in the present day Cross-Rivers State of Nigeria.

Subsequently, in expressing his dedication to the service of humanity,  he became a teacher at OPROZA Grammar School  Patani. This was at a time his peers were seeking for white collar jobs in the cities. He continued his selfless service and rose to the post of   Vice Principal of the afore-mentioned School, between the 1976 and 1978 academic sessions.  In that profession he mould and directed several destines to achieve greater future for themselves.

Being a great footballer to reckon with then, the young and energetic CF was averred to have participated immeasurably in most soccer tournaments in the then Western Ijaw zone, that he greatly influenced his students on that lane of excellence.

Having chosen to serve his people and humanity on a greater standing, at the advent of the Second Republic politics in Nigeria, “CF” as he was popularly known then decided and joined politics and was with the Unity Party of Nigeria UPN in 1978 and at the 1979 National Assembly elections, he contested for the Bomadi Federal Constituency seat in the defunct Bendel State which, he won under the platform of the United Party of Nigeria UPN.

A politician and business executive of repute, Chief Abeki was an Icon who never compromised his political principles, ever faithful and steadfast in what he believed in and presented his views in such an innocuous manner that you can only disagree with him but not fail to understand him, just like his younger cousin Chief Chris K. Ghomorai of blessed memory.

As a Legislator in the Nigeria’s Second Republic National Assembly (House of Representatives) between 1979 and 1983 Hon C.F. Abeki, was arguably one of the legislators to be reckoned with that were in the opposition, as his political party,Unity Party of Nigeria,UPN.  He remained a proactive opposition voice of the partyduring which he also headed several Committees within the House of Representatives Chambers.

It was widely acclaimed that Hon.CF played politics of goodwill, harmony and camaraderie in the National Assembly.  It was on this strength that he aligned with the likes of Chief David Attah (former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Roland Owie of Edo State, Hon. Sule Lamido the immediate past Governor of Jigawa State to mention a few. He was indeed his brother’s-keeper irrespective of political affiliations. Additionally, he was a staunch advocate of justice, fairness and equity in a celebrated dimension. Some say he is an incorruptible politician but most held him in good esteem as a politician per excellence. The great “IROKO” of our time most often than not presented opinions and convictions in manners robbed with sagacity, innovation and ingenuity.

At the collapse of Second Republic Chief Abeki returned to OPROZA Grammar School, in Patani as a Class Teacher. This he later  left and went back tp politics as he  joined the Social Democratic Party,SDP as it were then, where he served in the capacity of Party Chairman to the Bomadi LG Area in the defunct Bendel State. It’s on record that he served in that position twice before the creation of Delta State, when he became the pioneer Delta State Chairman, of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Chief Abeki at the collapse of that political dispensation at that time, was appointed by the then Military Administration led by late Gen Sani Abachi in 1994, as one of “18 Wise men” put together to serve at the Secretariat for 1994 Constitution Drafting Commission, which was saddled with the responsibility to create an enabling environment for the 1997 Constitutional Conference, where he worked with the former Governor of Niger State Alhaji Babaginda Aliyu who then was the Executive Secretary of the Commission, along with other prominent Nigerians like Alhaji Shehu Musa one time Secretary of the Federal Government and the Makaman  Nupe, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, Mrs. Ikejiani Clark, Alhaji Yaya Kwande, Chief Audu Ogbeh who is now the Federal Minister of Agriculture,  Alhaji  Ibrahim I. Tahir (Talban of Bauchi) and Dr. Joseph Wayas. It could be recalled that  Chief  Abeki at this instant was representing the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.

From that dispensation Chief Abeki was appointed to the National Electoral Commission –NECON now Independent National Electoral Commission –INEC under the Chairmanship of Chief Sumner Dagogo-Jack along with Alhaji  Adogwaram who later became  Kano State  Secretary of Government, as Chief Abeki was a Federal Electoral Commissioner between 1997  and 1998.

Some other personalities he associated with includes  Chief  Jim Nwobodo a former Governor of old Anambra State and Dr. Chuba Okadigbo to mention with.

It was along such lines that he was able to convince the then Provincial Military Ruling Council to create Patani Local Government Area from the old Bomadi Local Government Area and Ogbe-Ijoh Local Government Area in Delta state at that time.It is note-worthy to state that during his days, Chief  Abeki, lived an enviable life and was very passionate for his extended family.There is no doubt he would thorough be missed.

Later he came back to his State of origin and it is on record that he was appointed to the Delta State Boatyard as Chairman; he was once on the Board of  Delta State Broadcasting Corporation (DBS)  during  the Administration of Governor  James Ibori. He also served as a member of Federal Inland Waterways Board, at the Federal level.

Chief (Hon.) C.F Abeki as an Ijaw Nationalist was a Patron of Delta Ijaw Collective Agenda –DICA that was made up of  committed Western-Ijaw leaders like Hon Solomon Funkekemi, Dr. (Hon.) Braduce Amakazi Angozi, Hon. Nicholas Mutu  Ebomo (OFR), Hon Basil Ganagana, Hon Frank Omare, Hon Frank Enekorogha, Hon. Franklin Edonkumoh and Hon Rueben Guanah to mention with.

He was an active member of the Izon Okosi-Otu Forum in Delta State that includes eminent Ijaw leaders like Chief Bare- Etolor and Chief Ebimami.  Chief C.F Abeki was at one time also a Board of Trustee member of Ijaw umbrella organization the Ijaw National Congress –INC.

Chief (Hon.) C.F. Abeki later became the Chairman of the prominent group of the “Three Is” in Delta State. The “Three Is” specifically stands for “Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko”.

Chief Abeki until his death was a life Member of the Bulgarian Parliament as it were,  the ‘Akpakpasemangha’  of Ijaw land used his entire lifetime in the service of humanity and his dear country. For every domain he passed, had perceivable memorabilia to hold in his remembrance. An indisputable trail blazer!!

He did not only make empires; he also built visionary leadership to fill the steads. It is no wonder then he had great friendship across the width and breadth of the country.

Our Ebetiemo-Owei of Kabu-owei Kingdom virtually touched every life within the Ijaw caste in particular measures. He financed, promoted and propagated Ijaw culture and tradition as well as the causes/desires/ambitions of the Ijaw nation at both domestic and international plains.

Chief C.F Abeki  who was also acknowledged  with his father’s ‘Kulo or (a.k.a)’ of  “OPU-NGLASSE” greatly promoted the Ijaw music and culture. Hence his name is being adorned and sang by one of Ijaw foremost musician late King Robert Ebizimor.

Chief C.F. Abeki, a first Class titled  Chief of  Kabu-owei Clan  as the Ebetiemo-owei “Pillar” of Kabu-owei Kingdom on record contributed tremendously to the maintenance of peace and security that were not limited to his Local Government Area but cutting across the entire Niger Delta region.

Chief (Hon) C.F. Abeki who passed on to the great beyond in the early hour January 28, 2016, after a brief illness was a Christian and survived by his wife Chief (Hon.) Josephine C.F. Abeki (Nee Youdeiowei) who is presently the Chairperson of Patani Local Government Council with Children. “Chief (Hon) CF” as he is fondly known will surely be missed mostly by his immediate family and the Kabu-owei kingdom, where he had played prominent role as he had positively touched and uplifted the people’s economic and socio-political status in the Ijaw nation spanning from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states in particular  and also in the  Nigeria state in general.

It is note-worthy to state that during his days, Chief (Hon) Chamberlin Fidelis Abeki, lived an enviable life and was very passionate for his extended family, he never cease to intervene in matters concerning his siblings, nephews and nieces.

Chief (Hon) C.F. Abeki, was a peacemaker, endowed with the spirit of wisdom to bridge gaps in homes and families. There is no doubt he would thorough be missed.

He is indeed, our “Ebetiemo-owei  – PILLAR – of Ijaw land”, and we shall miss his veritable and towering personality with heavy hearts.

So far the burial arrangement for the Chief (Hon) C.F Abeki has been slated for March 25, 2016, starting with Lying in State at Chief C.F. Abeki Compound on Abeki’s Road in Ekise No. 2 Quarters, Patani at about 10:00am followed with the Interment at 11:00am and this is followed with the Entertainment of Guest from 1:00pm while a Social Wake-Keep follows thereafter from 7:00pm till dawn.

Any further inquiries on the Burial programme could be channeled through Family Burial Committee; Presidor Ghomorai 08038028225 and Julia Ebifiobor Abeki Mabeokwu

Adieu! Adieu!! Adieu!!!  The people’s …Ebetiemo-owei… of the entire Ijaw land.

Mr.  Presidor Ghomorai,  publisher, Ijaw News , wrote  from Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.