MADAM SAMETU OYAGHA OKOLO OSIGBEMHE (NEE OMOKPO)
By Mrs. Annuncianta Emesomiade Adamu (Nee Bolivia)
Madam Sametu Oyagha Okolo Osigbemhe (Nee Omokpo) was a remarkable woman whose life and influence extended far beyond her immediate family into the musical, cultural, traditional, and social heritage of Ogbona. She was a woman of many talents, deep cultural knowledge, generosity, and strong commitment to the preservation of Ogbona traditions.
Family Background and Early Life
Madam Sametu was born into the Omokpo family of Ivhido Quarters, Ogbona. Her mother was Omeiku of Ivhiochie, and her grandmother was Ochikhor. She was the third child in her family. Her senior siblings were her sisters, Onaàgbor and Amhorfuegbe, and her brother, Yakubu Omokpo, aka (it doesn’t matter). Sametu lost her father at an early age and was subsequently brought up by her paternal uncle, Isèèdu. Her early life was therefore shaped by both the loss of her father and the care and guidance of her extended family.
Marriage and Family Life
Sametu became the first wife of the late Oghiebo, Elder Okolo Osigbemhe, of the Ivhiomierele descendant, Okotor, Ogbona Their marriage became a partnership marked by mutual commitment to family, faith, culture, and community. Both Madam Sametu and Elder Okolo were devoted members of St. Peter Anglican Church (CMS), Ogbona. Elder Okolo earned the respected title Baba-Egbe and was associated with the name: “Ase-rere mase ika”— He who is doing good should not do evil.
He was also noted for his ability to read the Yoruba Bible fluently. Madam Sametu similarly held an important position in the church as the Iya-Egbe of the Anglican Church.
Their marriage was blessed with five children—three sons and two daughters: Michael Ileghieumha Sunday, popularly known as General Bolivia; Martin Okhumeode, also known as Dagama; Pius Aikhumhetse, popularly known as Cool Water; (sons) Maria Irobesi, also known by her church name Iyegide; and Lucy Iyayor (daughters). All the children were industrious and, in different ways, carried forward aspects of their mother’s strength, creativity, and cultural talents.
A Woman of Music and Cultural Heritage
One of Madam Sametu’s greatest legacies was her extraordinary knowledge of Ogbona traditional songs, folklore, dance, and performance. She was a leader and composer for several traditional dance groups, including Uke Dance, Ighioge, Atsamukhokho, and Izi. She was particularly distinguished by her ability to compose and perform songs that reflected the experiences, values, history, and cultural traditions of her people.
For Sametu, music was much more than entertainment. It was a powerful means of preserving, teaching, and transmitting Ogbona’s cultural heritage from one generation to another.
Her remarkable ability to create dance steps in response to drumbeats earned her several descriptive names and titles, including:
Saladoge
Uke-Tsavhe — one who does not need the dance bead costume;
Orowe-Wuokhaire — a lead vocalist who combines singing with dance steps;
Akamotse— the wailing birds; and Uwor-Osei— the mother of singers.
These names reflected the extraordinary versatility and creativity she displayed as a singer, dancer, composer, and cultural performer.
Influence on Her Children
Madam Sametu’s musical influence was especially evident in the lives of her children.
Maria Irobesi
Her daughter, Mrs. Maria Irobesi, also known by her church name Iyegide, married Itsedi Esiesimua. She was a renowned fish trader, fondly called Imama na Ivhiebi, and was herself a dancer and composer.
Bolivia
Her son, Michael Ileghieumha Sunday, popularly known as General Bolivia, began his working life as a teacher while also engaging in music and storytelling.
He later devoted himself fully to music and entertainment and became one of the most prominent icons of the Afemai music world. He was the founder of General Bolivia and the Great Satanas Band.
His evergreen music became a lasting testament to the cultural heritage of the Afemai people and beyond. The musical legacy of General Bolivia continues through his children, including Mayor Constance (Avhinopie Odumha), Valentine (Jonah), and Panayotekis, the trumpeter, Calinez, among others. They have continued to build and sustain a musical tradition of their own.
Madam Sametu’s influence was particularly significant during Bolivia’s formative years. She assisted him with song composition and singing, drawing from her own extensive knowledge and experience. Her creativity, musical understanding, and mastery of traditional songs contributed significantly to the artistic development of her son and helped lay the foundation for his subsequent musical career.
Martin Okhumeode — Dagama
Martin Okhumeode, popularly known as Dagama, was another of Madam Sametu’s children who inherited her musical talent. He was a great farmer and sawyer, but he was also a drummer and singer.
Martin was a pioneer member of the traditional Igielegede Dance Group, demonstrating that his mother’s musical heritage continued into the next generation. His daughter, Emesomi Florence Oyarenua, also became a gospel musician, further extending the family’s musical tradition.
Pius Aikhumhetse — Cool Water
Mr. Pius Aikhumhetse, popularly known as Cool Water, was a Vietnam soldier and a very humorous man. He later founded the star-band music entertainment venture, which he combined with tea selling. His life also reflected the difficult experiences of his generation. During the Nigerian Civil War, he travelled to Auchi to purchase provisions and was unexpectedly picked up and conscripted into the army. He eventually left the army voluntarily and subsequently worked as a security personnel.
Lucy Iyayor
Mrs Lucy Iyayor, the last-born of Madam Sametu’s children, was also a talented dancer and song composer. She married Mr. Anthony Abake Ilega. Like her siblings, Lucy demonstrated the industrious spirit and creative abilities that characterized the family.
A Woman of Generosity and Service
Madam Sametu was known for her generosity and willingness to give to others. She did not merely practice generosity herself; she deliberately taught her children the importance of giving and helping others.
She was a trailblazer and a strong source of support to her husband, Elder Okolo Osigbemhe. She was also a woman who held Ogbona tradition and custom in high esteem. Her knowledge of traditional practices made her an important figure in the community. She was known to assist women with traditional childbirth practices and circumcision. She also possessed extensive knowledge of traditional materials, clothing, beads, and ceremonial practices.
Traditional Weaving, Beads, and Ceremonial Heritage
Madam Sametu was skilled in the weaving of traditional fabrics, including Igborgane and Echiegbovhioghie. She also maintained a large collection of traditional beads and ceremonial costumes. People came to her to obtain these materials for important cultural occasions, including age-group initiations, Okhei, Agbe Lagu-Ulu, burial rites, and other traditional ceremonies.
Through this work, she played an important role in ensuring that traditional clothing, adornments, and ceremonial practices remained available to successive generations.
The Ukpe-Nokhua Tradition
Madam Sametu also took part in the traditional institution of Ukpe-Nokhua (Onyiekhakha), an important cultural practice associated with women. Her own Okpe-Nokha was exceptionally remarkable. At a time when the festival was declining, her participation in the mid-1970s brought a significant revival and introduced the celebration in a new dimension. Her contribution helped demonstrate the continuing importance of traditional women’s institutions and cultural festivals in Ogbona society.
A Lasting Cultural Legacy
Madam Sametu Oyagha Okolo Osigbemhe was much more than a wife and mother. She was a singer, composer, dancer, cultural custodian, traditional practitioner, weaver, philanthropist, church leader, and mentor. Her influence reached from the home to the church, from traditional ceremonies to dance groups, and from her children to the wider cultural community. Through her children—particularly General Bolivia and others who inherited her musical abilities—her cultural and artistic influence continued long after her lifetime. Her knowledge of traditional songs, folklore, dance, clothing, beads, childbirth practices, ceremonies, and women’s traditions represents an important part of the intangible heritage of Ogbona.
Madam Sametu Oyagha Okolo Osigbemhe was, therefore, a fulfilled woman who lived a life of service, creativity, generosity, cultural preservation, and hope. Her legacy lives on in her children, descendants, and in the cultural traditions of Ogbona that she helped preserve.
Madam Sametu Oyagha Okolo Osigbemhe died on 26 December 1986.
