Medical Physician, Pemanent Secretary
Abrakasa Fiepere was a brilliant and flamboyant Medical Physician and Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa state civil service.
Who was Abrakasa Fiepere?
An Anesthesiologist par Excellence Abrakasa Fiepere, (1952–2021) was from Amassoma town in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was an intelligent and a rare breed in his youthful age. He made Grade I in the London, Cambridge Examination of 1976. Afterwards, he graduates as Medical doctor from the prestigious University of Ibadan in 1982. Sir Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was a faithful Anglican, till his death in 2021.
Parents/Birth
Abrakasa Fiepere was born on the 31stof December, 1952 to the family of Late Mr. Boukeme Fiepere of Ibenikiri-Ama and Late Mrs. Ereyigha Fiepere of Efeke-Ama all of Amassoma Town, Bayelsa State. He was one of 2 surviving children out of the 10 children his parents had (5 boys and 5 girls).
Education
He attended St. Stephen’s Primary School, Amassoma from 1958 to1964 for his Primary Education.
Afterwards, He attended the Nigeria People Professional and Commercial Institute, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State between January and June 1966. He left Onitsha in June 1966 because of the threat of Civil War in Nigeria at that time.
Also, He attended Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS), Yenagoa (1969-1970), then he went to Baptist High School, Port Harcourt (1970-1973) for his Secondary education, but because of cancellation of their school certificate result in 1973, unassuming Abrakasa Fiepere attended Nembe National Grammar School (NNGS), Nembe to rewrite his school certificate in 1975 and he made a Grade 1 Division.
In addition, He sat for the London GCE in November 1975 and passed 6 papers. He got admission into University of Ibadan, Oyo state where he bagged a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in the year 1982. Furthermore, he attained Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesia (DA) from the University of Ibadan in the year 1988.
Career
Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere started his working career as a Rice Farmer in Amassoma in 1965 where he worked with Late Mr. Hercules Yagba. He was briefly employed as a Trainee Welder in Pitts and Busch Shipyard Company, Port Harcourt (a German ship building company) from 1967 to 1968 when he came back to Port Harcourt from Onitsha. Upon graduation from Medical School, he did his Housemanship at General Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State (1982-1983). His national youth service was in Kaduna state (1983-1984) with the Police College Clinic. After his NYSC, he was reabsorbed into the Rivers State Service, Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer in January 1985. He rose through the ranks in his medical career as follows:
- Medical Officer – General Hospital, Okomoko, Rivers State.
- Senior Medical Officer – Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Consultant Anaesthetist – Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Senior Consultant – Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Chief Consultant – Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
However, from 1993 to 1996 he had a stint with the defunct Michelin Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt as their Medical Consultant (Anaesthesiologist).
After the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996, he became the Pioneer Chief Consultant I/C at the Specialist Hospital, Yenagoa. He was later appointed as the Pioneer Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Bayelsa State Hospitals Management Board in 1998. He was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Service by His Excellency, Late Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha on the 27th of May, 2002.
As a Permanent Secretary, he served in the under listed MDAs between the years 2002-2012:
- Ministry of Commerce, Trade & Industry.
- Ministry of Special Projects
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Youth, Conflict Resolution and Employment Generation
- Civil Service Commission
He also served in several Special Task Force Committees set up by Government. Listed below are a few of them:
- A Leader of the Medical Relief Operations for Flood Ravaged Communities in Yenagoa LGA in 1988.
- Leader of the Medical Task Force on Cholera Epidemic in Southern Ijaw LGA in 1991.
- Chairman of the Staff Verification Exercise for six (6) Rural Development Centers in Southern Ijaw LGA in 2012.
Professional Memberships
He was an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel Management (ACIPM); Member of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA); Member of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN). Also Member of NNS Akaso Officers Mess.
Private Practice
Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere opened his private hospital, Kuro Specialist Clinic, Otiotio Road, Yenezue-Gene (then at Ekeki) in the year 1996 after the state creation. Prior to this, he had opened a mini clinic in Port Harcourt named “Kuromedics” in 1993 thereabout.
Retirement
To the glory of God, he retired from Civil Service meritoriously on the 31st of December, 2012 on his 60th birthday. Though retired from service, he was still active as the Medical Director of his private clinic (Kuro Specialist Clinic).
Marriage
Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere met his wife Dame Grace Timi Fiepere (then not knighted) at the University of Lagos in the year 1982. He got married to her on the 5th of May, 1984. The Marriage is blessed with nine (9) glorious children (five (5) biological children, three (3) wonderful sons-in-law, a beloved daughter-in-law) and five (5) grandchildren. All his children are graduates by God’s grace including Medical Doctors, Anatomist, Engineer, Lecturer and a Lawyer.
Family Life
Growing up, he lived with some relatives at different points of his life. He lived with his uncle,
Late Mr. Ebomo Adugo for a long period of his youthful age. He even went with him to Lagos, and it was from Lagos he came to Rivers state for his secondary education. It was Late Mr. Ebomo Adugo that sponsored his education before he got Shell scholarship.
Immediately after his primary education, he went to stay with his uncle, Late Efeke in Onitsha where he attended the commercial school, but had to leave because of the threat of the civil war.
He also lived with another of his uncles, Late Chief Alfred A. Pondei at some point in time who was also instrumental in his growth and wellbeing. As an adult, he associated well with all his extended family members who saw him as a father. He was a father to his nephews and nieces and was always willing to assist everyone that came his way. Several of his nephews and nieces lived with him at different periods; amongst them are Dr. Kodjo Soroh, Mr. Kohina Soroh, Barr. Philip Soroh, Mrs. Esther Orji etc. He also related well with all his in-Laws, including sisters-in-law, parents-in-law of his children etc.
Places Lived
Sir Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere once stayed at the following addresses:
- Fegge Onitsha in then Eastern Nigeria now Anambra state;
- No 28, Hospital Road Port Harcourt, Rivers state;
- Ajegunle, Lagos state;
- Agric Quarters Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State;
- Doctor’s quarters D/line Port Harcourt;
- Police Baracks Kaduna, Kaduna State;
- Doctor’s Residence Okomoko-Etche, Rivers State;
- Omerelu street GRA Phase I (behind Presidential Hotels), Port Harcourt;
- Federal Medical Center FMC premises Yenagoa Bayelsa state;
- Civil Servants Quarters, Yenagoa (Flat A14) (the very first civil servants quarters built by the Military Administrator Navy Captain Olubolade)
- Commissioner’s quarters, Opolo a Bungalow Flat B76
- Finally, in same Commissioner’s quarters neighborhood a duplex Flat D14.
Christian life:
Sir Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was a born again child of God who served in various capacities in the church. He was confirmed at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Nkpogu, Port Harcourt, Niger Delta North Diocese (NDND), by Late Bishop Elenwo on the 10th of December, 1995.
His Services
- As a member of Parish Church Council (PCC), All Saints Anglican Izon Church, Port Harcourt, Niger Delta North Diocese (NDND).
- A member of the Christian Mens Fellowship (CMF).
- Patron of Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) in the Diocese of Niger Delta West (DNDW),
- Also Patron of Anglican Communion Brigade and Patron of St. Peters Deanery Choir.
- Chairman, Launching Committee for Procurement of a car for the Bishop DNDW in April 2000.
Knighted
Sir, Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was Knighted as Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) by Bishop Adoiphus Amabebe (Rtd.) in August 2001. As a member of the Council of Knights, he was appointed as a member of the Council Project Committee in 2002 under the Chairmanship of Sir Chief Engr. Hans Suku Ogbari and later became the Acting Chairman of the Project Committee from December 2014 to September 2017.
As a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Special Projects, Sir, Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was Co-Chairman Building Committee of the upgraded St. Peters Church, Yenagoa from 2003/2004. He received Certificate of Honour from the Anglican Communion Brigade as a National Patron in 2005. He served as a Member, Fund Raising Committee of the Rev. D. O. Ockiya College of Theology and Management Sciences, Emeyal II, Ogbia, in April, 2009 (For the three Dioceses – DNDW, Ogbia and Northern Izon).
He also served as Member, Deanery Church Council (DCC), St. Peter’s Deanery, Yenagoa for two different terms -2011 and 2016. He served as Chairman, Harvest Planning Committee, St. Peter’s Deanery, Yenagoa (2011-2012).
To the glory of God, he was a major contributor to the creation of Amassorna Archdeaconry and he was a committed member of his home church, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amassoma. He played a vital role in the development of his home church. Until his demise, he provided transport for the Yenagoa brethren to the monthly rally of St. Stephen1s Church, Amassorna. He single handedly provided seats for the Altar, and recently, he built a six room toilet and a borehole for the Church towards the 2020 synod.
He was the Group Leader of Harvest Group 1 in St. Peters Deanery and was a member of Harvest Group 6 until his death. He received Award of Honour by MU/WG of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amassoma. He also received Award of Honour by MU/WG of St. Peters Deanery, Yenagoa during the Mothering Sunday on the 30th of March, 2019. He received Award of Honour by the Diocese of Niger Delta West (DNDW) in recognition of outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Diocese on the 30th of December, 2019.
Social Life
He was an easy going, soft spoken and quiet person who related well with everyone. As a young man, he was the Public Relations Officer of Central Ijaw Students Union between 1973 and 1974 and became President of the union between 1974 and 1975.
He was a Patron of the Bayelsa Queens Football Club and he was given a special merit award by the club in the year 2002. He was a member of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA). He was a member of the Old Boys Association of Bishop Dimieri Grammar School (BDGS), Yenagoa.
He was also a member of the Old Boys Association of Nembe National Grammar School (NNGS), Nembe and Baptist High School, Port Harcourt. He was a member of the University & Ibadan Alumni Association, Bayelsa Branch.
Also, He was a member of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Bayelsa State.
Hobbies
Sir, Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was an avid reader, listening to news from both international and local stations on radio and television. Dove television became one of his favourite stations in the last few years of his life.
“Pleasant in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”
Psalm 116:15
His last Days
Sir, Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was on his way to the wedding of his first son and fourth child. He decided to pass through Abuja so as to fly into Ibadan where the wedding was to take place. He arrived Abuja on Sunday, 14th February, 2021. He became weak on arrival in Abuja and his children in Abuja convinced him to stay back in Abuja and rest. He was finally admitted into Garki Hospital, Abuja.
On Saturday, 27th February, 2021 he sent for his daughter’s Pastor, Pastor Godwin Ainoko to come and pray with him. On Sunday, 28th February, 2021, he was waving at his wife, his daughter and son-in-law who were sitting by his bed side. His wife asked to know why he was waving and he responded that he was leaving this world.
On that Sunday evening, he refused to take his dinner and when his wife tried to persuade him to eat, he asked her “does a dead man eat?” The wife replied “but you are not dead.” Amazingly he responded by saying that his death had been published everywhere.
On Monday, 1st March, 2021, he again sent for Pastor Ainoko who came and prayed with him. He took his last breath and went to meet with the Lord on that Monday, 1 March, 2021 at about 4:30pm in the presence of his wife, daughter and son-in-law.
The late, Sir, Dr. Abrakasa Fiepere was interred on 17 April 2021 at his hometown Amassoma. He was 68 years old.
