By Lucky Akpere Ph.D
The late Mama Sapele Mary Akpere was born on 2nd September, 1933 to the families of late Pa David Omatsola Usitaka of Ogbe quarters, Mereje town, and late Madam Ogbotinume Osugaga of Iriama town, both of Mereje District in Okpẹ Local Government Area, Delta State. She was a second girl-child to her elder sister (late Madam Alice Awian Omatsola) in a family of four children (two sons and two daughters) but third in order of seniority (Sir Emmanuel E. Omatsola; Madam Alice Awian Omatsola; Mrs Sapele Mary Akpere and Apostle Victor E. Omatsola).
As a girl growing up, she helped her parents on their occasional farming activities. Her education was scarcely beyond the primary school level. In those days only male children of parents who knew the value of education had the privilege of education beyond primary school level. However, she had a highly sociable lifestyle while growing up, as her father, Pa David Omatsola Usitaka, was a Marine Technician (which could pass for a Marine Engineer in contemporary time) and a legendary hunter, who worked in Sapele, Warri, Forcados and Port Harcourt at various times.
It was during one of their father’s annual vacation leave when they came home to Mereje town that a young man named Mr. Governor Omatsheye Akpere from Amua-Okolo town saw her and asked her hand in marriage. The union was blessed with seven (7) children: six (6) sons and one (1) daughter.
A woman’s impact and influence is evident during the period of marriage. Mama Sapele Akpere combined subsistence farming with petty trading. Our father paid school fees, bought books and made school uniforms for us throughout primary and secondary school education, but Mama supported him by procuring other items of clothing for us. We were among the first to wear the local _adire_ popularly called _Kampala_ in those days as children. In her capacity as a mother, she took the responsibility to provide much of the provisions during our College days. She knew that making provisions available for us would create a conducive environment devoid of distractions thus enabling us to focus on our studies. She vowed that her only daughter must be properly schooled both in learning and character. Her efforts paid off. Her petty trading in fruits and vegetables earned her some fortune that she became the first woman to buy lady’s Raleigh bicycle and a Vono bed in Amua-Okolo and the adjoining communities.
Mama Sapele Akpere was the second wife among six wives our father married during his lifetime. However, long before our father was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of _Ugbenu of Okpẹ Kingdom_ in April, 2007, two of his wives had left him and three had died; thus Mama was the only wife with him even till his demise on 12 August, 2011. The bond of unity and love that existed and still exist among us, the children of Chief G.O. Akpere is legendary. Mama took us, the children of our father, and Otewe Peace Akpere, our cousin and cared for all of us as her own children, without discrimination, thus reinforcing the solid foundation laid down by our father. It’s instructive to note that Mama carefully preserved till date the huge aluminum bowl, provided by her mother, with which she prepared _eba_ for all of us in the 1970s. The foundation of unity and love is so strong that 13 years after our father’s demise, people still can’t tell which of the wives gave birth to a particular child until they are told.
Mama was an enigma, she meant different things to different people. For us, her children, she was a mother, a friend, a teacher, a counselor, a nurse and a confidant. Mama was proud of her father as the greatest hunter who killed a Crocodile with his licensed double-barrel gun. She was proud of her mother as the greatest traditional midwife (_Orhere_) of all time, who during her time, was known and consulted by every single Governor of Lagos State – Military and Civilian alike. Her impact and influence in midwifery was so great that she was offered employment by the Management of General Hospital, Lagos (Baby Factory).
Mama was proud of her husband as the love of her life and as a disciplinarian. Mama was proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved and cherished them until she breathe her last. Mama was very compassionate. She assisted whosoever sought her help. She was a bridge builder and a peace loving woman. This virtue enabled her to coexist peacefully and sleep on the same bed with an equally aged mother-in-law of one of her sons for upwards of three years. She was a good listener but slow to talk. Mama paid attention to details and she was intentional in all that she did. These last two attributes was what she deployed to save the life of one of her sons – Lucky – who as a crawling toddler in the 1970s, inadvertently picked up and swallowed a periwinkle shell which choked him. The nurse in Mama was instantly activated. She dipped two fingers down Lucky’s throat held the periwinkle shell and pulled it out with blood gushing out.
Mama had always thought of where she would end up her life when death came. She started her quest for salvation in the Full Gospel Church, Amua-Ugbogbo, but couldn’t find satisfaction there. Her cousin, Hitler Ogbeke, led her to the Jehovah’s Witness, then using the Okuvo Town Hall as their study centre. She had remained committed and faithful since then even when she had to go to the Kingdom Hall at Mereje town for study/worship.
Mama was the Treasurer of Amua-Okolo community _Ẹghwemese_ for over 25 years. Until her death in the early hours of Saturday 13 April, 2024 she was the most senior wife in Amua-Okolo community (_Okpako Ẹghwemese_), a position she held for over a decade.
Thomas Campbell says, and he is right that “to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die”. Mama lives on, her memory endures, and her examples stands out in terms of her great accomplishments. May the soul of Mama RIP.
Mama is survived by her seven children, 23 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, among whom are:
Children:
1. Mr. Henry Hallo & Pastor (Mrs) Abigail Ọgbọteko Akpere
2. Mr. Abalade Oruru & Mrs Deborah Oborakpororo Akpere
3. Mr. Stephen Oghohavwiene Akpere
4. Mr Taiwo Hussen & Mrs Patience Odomone Olowofuja
5. Dr Lucky Patrick & Mrs Victoria Ọghẹnẹkẹvwẹ Akpere
6. Engr Julius Uvuakparaghwaran & Mrs Rhoda Eseoghene Akpere
7. Mr. Francis Ofeomume & Mrs Kyrie Akpere
Grandchildren:
1. Mr Simeon Akpere
2. Engr Omojefe & Mrs Uvie Akpere
3. Major (Engr) Elvis Orokaro & Barr (Mrs) Sarah Emuesiri Akpere
4. Miss Favour Ejimevwo Akpere
5. Mr Solomon Ekioberun & Mrs Betty Akpere
6. Miss Dorcas Memiruraye Akpere
7. Engr. Eghele & Engr (Mrs) Tolulope Akpere
8. Miss Gabriella Ejokiete Akpere
9. Engr Obaruakpor Handel Akpere
10. Miss Abigail Erukeoghene Akpere
11. Dr Anietie & Mrs Odamesan Ansa
12. Dr Ukaro-Hallo Akpere
13. Miss Rume-Hallo Akpere
14. Engr Egwolo & Mrs Ebruphiyo Akpere
15. Mr Otome Brain Akpere
16. Mr Oneme-Hallo Akpere
17. Miss Sarah Mariam Olowofuja
18. Miss Oberhiri Akpere
19. Miss Choice Edirin Akpere
20. Master Igbunu Akpere
21. Master Runor Akpere
22. Master Edesiri Francis Akpere
23. Miss Emesiri Frances Akpere
Great grandchildren:
1. Master Jeremiah Oghenevwegba Ezeugo Odili.
2. Master ‘Mine Joachim Akpere
3. Master Ekon Jotham Akpere
4. Master Gaame D. Oghenebrume Maxim
5. Miss Ese Ukpe Ansa
6. Miss Daye Ujiri Ansa
7. Miss Goodness Ekioberun Akpere
8. Miss Grace Ekioberun Akpere
9. Master Prosper Orume Kekeke
