Biographies of Ogbona Past Leaders

Mr. Asapokhai Umayo Christopher of Ivhiorewoh quarters, Ogbona, Etsako Centra, Edo State. He was born to the family of Late Mr. & Mrs. Enekhume Anthony on the 7th day of May 1951 in Kano State, Nigeria. Mr. Christopher Umayo Asapokhai was the 1st of 7children in a monogamous family. He had his primary education in Kano State and proceeded to St. John’s Grammar School Fugar in Edo State where he sat for his West Africa School Leaving Certificate in the year 1971. He was a well known sports man playing in their basketball team at the time and representing the then Bendel State at State and National tournaments. The famous Hakeem Olajuwon picked interest in basketball while watching Mr. Christopher Asapokhai and his team train back then in Kano State. Sadly, a knee injury brought his sports career to an abrupt end. Mr. Christopher Umayo Asapokhai due to his interest in nursing, wrote the nursing entrance exam and gained admission into the then Bendel State School of Nursing Benin in the year 1975 and completed his training in the year 1977 were he emerged as the best Practical nurse of the year. Mr. Christopher Umayo Asapokhai got employment with the Health Management board, Auchi as a staff nurse in the year 1978. There he got steady promotion until he was transferred to the General Hospital, Obiaruku were he stood out amongst his colleagues. On the the 3rd day of June 1983, he resigned from his job with the State Government after he got employment with the then prestigious Delta Steel Company, Ovwian -Aladja, Delta State. He worked with dedication in the company for 20 years. In 2003 he joined Chevron Nigeria Limited as a contract nurse and retired at 60yrs in the year 2011. Even though he was retired, he was not tired following his workaholic nature. Due to his vast wealth of knowledge, he got employed at Lily Hospital, Warri where he worked in various capacities. He was the head of Trainings at Lily Hospital, Warri till his demise. Uncle Chris as he was fondly called by colleagues and friends was also a registered BLS and ACLS with the American Heart Association. As a Nurse he was so caring, he was more of a friend to his patients than a nurse. He was a mentor to numerous nurses whom he impacted with his knowledge and experience. He was always putting smiles on their faces. To his Colleagues he was more of a brother and a friend, there was never a dull moment with him. Mr. Christopher Umayo Asapokhai found the Lord in the 90s and he remained steadfast in the faith, he practiced his faith at home, work place and the community at large. He was a dedicated member of The Masters Place International Church. Mr Christopher Umayo Asapokhai was happily married to Mary Asapokhai who is also a Nurse by training and they are blessed with four married children and 9 grandchildren to the glory of God. We celebrate you our dear father, father in law, grand father, brother, uncle, friend and adviser. You have left your foot prints in the sand of time and we salute your exemplary Morals. We give thanks to the almighty God for a life which was well spent. Continue to rest in the bosom of Lord. Goodnight!!

Biography of Chief Peter Daniel Okhuemoi Chief Peter Daniel Okhuemoi was born on the 29th of June 1949 to Late Pa Azonoboh Okhuemoi and Late Mrs. Asonikpe Okhuemoi (nee Enamhino) at Ogbona in present day Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State. That he was destined for a life that would raise him above the general rural existence that was obtainable in his day, and propel him into a world of greatness and exposure was evident in the zeal exhibited by those around him in ensuring that he had a good education. At the age of 7 years, he was taken by his brother, Musa Ainakhu to Ibadan where he began his primary education at St. Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Mokola, Ibadan in 1959. In 1969, he proceeded to the newly founded St. John’s College Fugar alongside the likes of Patrick Imohede, Aleoghena Festus and Patrick Idegbo Umogbai and others. They constituted the pioneer set of that prestigious institution. On completion of his WASC, he went to Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida-Ora for his HSC where he was an outstanding student, and this was reflected in his receiving the John F. Kennedy scholarship award for English. He was given employment on the completion of his HSC as a classroom teacher at Momodu College, Agbede. It was there he met Rabi Okhuemoi (Nee Tokurah) who became his wife of 32 years. Peter Okhuemoi taught in that institution for two years before he was admitted into the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study English. He graduated from that college with the 1973 set which included others like Greg Enegwea, Barr. Ekhasemomhe, and Dr. Dennis Itsuokor. He proceeded to his area of primary assignment,(NYSC),  Mbaise in the then East Central State (today’s Imo State) in the same year as one of the pioneer corps members. On completion of his service, he started his working career as a graduate with Federal Government College Port-Harcourt as an English Teacher in 1974. In March 1978, he joined the then National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company (now Conoil) where he spent the rest of his employed life. Peter’s 21 years at National Oil saw him traversing the length and breadth of this country, meeting with various personalities across different tribes. Among the colleagues he worked with at National Oil was Abiola Ajimobi who later became a Senator and Governor, and Rt. Hon Chibudom Nwuche who became Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. This period also saw him moving across positions in the company that easily attest to his being one of the best in the field of retail marketing. Some of the positions and their locations include: C & I Sales Rep  – Head Office ‘78 General Sales Rep – Port-Harcourt & Calabar ‘79 Domestic Construction C & I Rep – Ibadan ‘80 Senior General Rep – Jos, Gombe, Bauchi, Gongola ‘85 Senior General Rep (Ret, S & D Analyst) – Lagos ‘87 Bunkers & Export Superintendent – Warri ‘90 Bunkers & Export Superintendent (Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Warri) – ‘Port-Harcourt ‘93 Retail Planning & Devt. Manager – Head Office ‘93 Retail Sales Supt. Kaduna – Kaduna ‘95 Head, Shell Business East – Port-Harcourt ‘97 He undertook many training courses while with the company. He retired meritoriously in 1999 after 21 glorious years into private business as Managing director of Pamoks Ventures Ltd. Peter Okhuemoi was passionate and committed to people and service. He trained and financed many men and women through various levels of education. These included but were not limited to relatives, friends, children of neighbors, fellow staff, etc. He was never biased, prejudiced or selective in those he helped. His colleagues in the office always remembered him as a humorous, lively and open-hearted friend and boss. There was never a dull moment with Peter. His principle in service was ‘to live a name and goodwill that his children would live to enjoy and be proud of’. Chief Peter Okhuemoi received recognition and honour from various bodies and groups. He was active in his life-time as an alumnus of his Alma-mata St. John’s College Fugar. He founded and served as the President of the Warri Branch of the Old Boys Association. Chief Peter Okhuemoi played a major role in the establishment of Ogbona Grammar School and for several years financed projects in the school, in addition to sponsoring many indigent children. He was at a time Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association. He was also the Patron, Avianwu United Club of Nigeria Patron, Standard Youth Club of Nigeria Patron, Elite Women Social Club of Etsako The Anawi Utsabeghie of Eghietsemhe Age Group of Avianwu, among so many others. In 1996, in recognition of his immense contributions to the development and progress of his community, he was honoured with the chieftaincy title of ‘Apeakhuye of Avianwu’ by HRH Chief Aliu Oboarekpe, The Oghieanvianwu. Many will live to remember Peter Okhuemoi for touching their lives in so many different ways. Peter Okhuemoi loved sports and participated actively in his lifetime. He was the pioneer volleyball and basketball captain of the St. John’s College team while there. At Holy Trinity Grammar School Sabongida-Ora, he ran long distance races with the likes of Sir. Chief O.F Eboirenme, a past rector of Auchi Polytechnic. In the prestigious Grier Cup Competition, he came 2nd in the Mile Race. During the Founders’ Day meet in 1967, he came 1st in the 3-legged race, 2nd in the Javelin event, and 2nd in the Mile race. His love for sports development in schools saw him at various times donate sports materials to Ogbona Grammar School. In his later years on earth, he was an ardent lover of football and boxing. His library of past football matches and boxing fights on video will make any sports enthusiast green with envy. Chief Peter Daniel Okhuemoi was a great father and husband who raised his five biological children to understand the value of a good education, and taught them never to expect handouts from