By ’DOTUN AKINTOMIDE

Prominent businessman, icon, community leader, and Nigeria’s foremost steel merchant, Chief Philip Bivese Djebah, popularly known as P.B. Djebah has passed on.

Chief P.B Djebah, KSM, KSGG, JP, the patriarch of the Djebah family of Okwagbe, and Okpako-orere (eldest person) of Okwagbe Community, is revered as the very last of his generation in the business community.

Papa, the legend, the colossus died in the early hours of Tuesday June 16 at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State at the age of 95 after several decades of immense contributions to Nigeria’s building and construction sector.

In 1948, Chief Djebah founded P. B Djebah & Company Limited, Nigeria’s Leading Steel Merchant and Stockist, a company that started making its giant strides since pre-independent Nigeria and carried on with its salient contributions throughout Nigeria’s early days in construction and infrastructural development.

Like a colossus, Chief P.B. Djebah dominated Nigeria’s business landscape as a fledgling independent Nigeria set out in 1960, strengthening commerce and industry in the country alongside dynamic indigenous entrepreneurs of yore, including friends of his, like the late Chief Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun.

In his distinguished and excellent business career, Chief Djebah played pioneering roles in many business organisations. He was a founding Director of Ecobank International and a lifetime Patron of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) established in 1960.

The late Chief P.B Djebah as he is fondly called by admirers was a Justice of Peace (JP) and a member of the Knight of St. Gregory (KSG) of the Catholic Diocese of Warri which his son, Reverend Father Nicholas Djebah currently oversees.

Chief P.B Djebah hails from Okwagbe town, Ukpedi Sub-Clan of Ughievwen Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. He was a one-time President General of Ughievwen Union and until his death, Okpovi of Ughievwen Kingdom, Okpako-Orere (eldest man) of Okwagbe community. He was also the Okpate Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, in Delta state, among others.

Family members have described Papa as a humble gentleman, bridge builder and peacemaker that would be missed by Nigeria, the people of Delta State, Urhobo and the Ughievwen Kingdom which he served dearly in many capacities.

Papa Djebah’s daughter, Mrs (Barr) Josephine Dinakin prayed God to grant papa external rest in the bosom of the Lord. Just as Cyril Djebah, Papa’s young son equally prayed for external rest. “Eternal rest, grant into him oh Lord. May he rest in perfect Peace, In Jesus Name. Amen”, Mrs Josephine Dinakin, Papa’s daughter wrote.

Mr R.R. Djebah, Chief P.B.Djebah’s younger brother described Pa Djebah in compelling words while extolling the deceased’s virtues. Describing him as the legend, the patriarch of the family who is always there for all, Mr R.R.Djebah prayed God to grant him eternal rest. On his part, Barrister Michael Djebah while extolling Chief’s virtues said he was a bridge-builder, and a peace-maker.

Founding Chairman of The New Diplomat and former Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah in his reaction to the shocking news of the death of his uncle said he received it with huge shock, saying, “His wise counsel, guidance, priceless advise, peace and bridge-building initiatives across communities, and encouragements will be greatly missed. He was always making peace, a pillar of education to the core.” (New Diplomat)

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