User:OJOTO THANKGOD TAMARAUBRAKAEMI/sandbox/THE BIOGRAPHY OF LATE PA SYLVANUS FUNGEWEI

CHAPTER ONE: BIRTH.Late Sylvanus was given birth to in Fuabo-polo, Agbidi-ama in 1929. PATERNAL TRACE: Agbidi Eketein begot Gbepre, Gbepre Agbidi begot Fungewei while Fungewei Gbepre begot Sylvanus. Late Fungewei was a great man of honour and respect. He was into full time canoe carving and fishing, and such taught Late Sylvanus canoe carving. He lived 130 years and died in 1995 as the Ama-okosu-owei of Agbidi-ama as at then. MATERNAL TRACE: His maternal home is traced to the ancient community of Amabulou. Late Fungewei Gbepre married Late Oyasegha, daughter of Late Bozimo from Amabulou and gave birth to Pa Denven (first son) who is currently the Ama-okosu-owei of Agbidi-ama, Sylvanus (second son) and Ebomo-ere (daughter). Late Ma Oyasegha lived 120 years and died in 2002 as the Ama-okosu-ere of Agbidi-ama as at then. CHAPTER TWO. HIS BELIEF ON EDUCATION: According to him, after training female children in pains and suffering they will be married to someone else and will not impact much on their parental family. That was the reason why he concentrated mainly on his male children, but in my own opinion it is not very true because, it is female children that care for their parents more than male children. This is because male children are philanthropic to their in-laws in 80% and 20% to their parents while female children are benevolent to their parents in 75% and 25% to their in-laws. DISCOVERY OF SYLI-GBENE: Late Pa Syli was born into fishing occupation as it is the predominant occupation in Agbidi-ama, therefore, as he grew up to a young man he toured several rivers in search of a rich land in terms of Agricultural gains in course of fishing and finally settled close to Opu-Isanatobo-toru and Isabatobo-toru where he erected structures and lived with his family as he went into full time fishing. OCCUPATION: He started life as a young fisherman having found out that it is the predominant occupation in the environment. After a few months he found out that the environment was rich and full with big trees that can be used for canoe carving having learnt canoe carving from his father late Fungewei Gbepre. Therefore, he dabbled into full time carving of canoe called Arou and paddle called Yowe. Late Pa Syli was known as a number one quality canoe and paddle carver in Agbidi-ama during his time, and such customers used to come to his camp (Syli-gbene) and pay for canoes in advance. Of a truth, all his male children know how to carve canoe and paddle because, when they are on holidays they normally join him in the occupation temporarily till when school resumes he gives them money for fees. This was what he used in training his Children to an extent, at least secondary school level (male children only). I could remember that two of his sons (Mr. Augustine S. Fungewei and Hon. (Chief) Emmanuel S. Fungewei) were sent to Government Secondary School, Ekeremor urban Town (and Peretorugbene community) and others like Mr. Igolukumo S. Fungewei, Mr. Godbless S. Fungewei, and Mr. Matthew S. Fungewei were sent to Ido Comprehensive Secondary School, Egbemo-Angalabiri where I also joined them. He was an industrious man with warm welcoming characters as a true Izon son. Therefore, several people came to Syli-gbene and joined him in the canoe carving business. Those that came to Late Sylvanus for canoe carving apprentice were Late Uze Zideinne, Late Alaru Diepreye and Late Felix Ayama and some women that also settled there for fishing and farming activities were Beni-ere Eleleghe, Fogbo-izon-emi, Late Ekongha Japheth and so on. Just like most Ijaw men are involved in multiple occupations therefore, he was also into Hunting of bush animals. He was also supplying timber to Lagos and bought many Engines and boats. Late Syli had lots of farms in his camp and as such cultivated fruits like; Mango, Pineapple, lime, coconut, bush mango and so on. Before he bought the Engine boats he was fond of pulling canoe to Yenagoa, and Warri for business trips. In his youthful days he used to carve at least three to four canoes in a week before Agbidi-ama and Angalabiri Fou for sale and as such he carved more than 8,000 canoes before his retirement in 2013 back to Agbidi-ama because of old age. TRADITIONAL SKILL Late Syli was gifted in Traditional circumcision. All his male children, almost all his (male) Grand children and (male) great Grand (children were circumcised by him including me. CHAPTER THREE. MARRIAGE: He married Late Hannah Iyowei from Morisobo-polo (in Agbidi-ama) as his first wife. She lost her first son at a tender age but all the other children survived. She lived with him and died of a protracted sickness in 2012 at the age of 75 years. He also married Masele Igbobou from Ekekeware quarter in Egbemo-Angalabiri as his second wife. CHILDREN WITH LATE MRS. HANNAH 1.	Chief Madam Nurse-ere Sylvanus Fungewei (Syli’s first Child) 2.	Mrs. Pancake Peaceful 3.	Mr. Augustine Sylvanus Fungewei (Syli’s first Son) 4.	Hon. (Chief) Emmanuel S. Fungewei (second son) 5.	Mr. Godbless S. Fungewei GRAND CHILDREN WITH LATE MRS. HANNAH 1.	Mr. Ojoto Thank-God Tamaraubraka-emi ( Syli’s first grand child) 2.	Ojoto Believe (second grandson) 3.	Ojoto Akpos 4.	Augustine Saviour 5.	John Emizibo 6.	Mrs. Alatimibo-ere Iknow 7.	Emmanuel Glory 8.	Emmanuel Agbe-ere 9.	Ojoto Ayiba-ekiye 10.	Augustine Fungewei (Jr) 11.	 Augustine Ariteibo Benedict 12.	Emmanuel Eniye 13.	Peaceful Iniyekenomu 14.	Emmanuel Ebikela 15.	Emmanuel Ebitimi 16.	Emmanuel Victory 17.	Emmanuel Marvelous 18.	Augustine Lucky 19.	Augustine Becky 20.	Peaceful Benedict 21.	Augustine Happy 22.	Godbless Great Ebi-akpo 23.	Godbless Divine GREAT GRAND-CHILDREN WITH LATE MRS. HANNAH 1.	Tari-ebi Ojoto Thank-God 2.	Faith Iknow 3.	Authority Iknow CHILDREN WITH MRS. MASELE 1.	Mrs. Evelyn Abiri 2.	Mrs. Amadei-ere Sylvanus 3.	Mrs. Ebilayefa Gangulu 4.	Mr. Kennedy S. Fungewei 5.	Mrs. Kerede Boro 6.	Mr. Igolukumo S. Fungewei: Twain 7.	Mrs. Paulina Felix:   Twain 8.	Mr. Matthew S. Fungewei 9.	Mrs. Madugbe James 10.	Miss. Tamarau-mienmene S. Fungewei GRAND-CHILDREN WITH MRS. MASELE 1.	Mrs. Preye Forgive (Syli’s first grand daughter) 2.	Bankdi-ere Gangulu 3.	Timi Boro 4.	Perezua Gangulu 5.	Christian Abiri 6.	Weredonghan Abiri 7.	Zion-wei Abiri 8.	Opina Gangulu 9.	Ogege Gangulu 10.	Asele-duba Gangulu 11.	ebipade Boro 12.	Justina Boro 13.	Peace Boro 14.	Raphael Boro 15.	Rachael Boro : Twain 16.	Doubra Boro:  Twain 17.	Tarikpoebi-emi Boro 18.	Charity Igolukumo 19.	Perekeseye Igolukumo 20.	Temeweideinmone Kennedy 21.	Temeweibrakemi Kennedy 22.	Ziperedein Ama-ebi 23.	Marvelous James 24.	Edese-emi Matthew 25.	Mercy Matthew GREAT GRAND-CHILDREN WITH MRS. MA-SELE 1.	Destiny Forgive 2.	Remember Forgive 3.	Brass-ere Forgive 4.	Tare Forgive 5.	Blessing Forgive CHAPTER FOUR IN-LAWS SONS – IN – LAW (FOO-OTU) 1.	Mr. Abiri Orunagha				Ebi-polo, Agbidi-ama 2.	Mr. Gangulu Waterwei				Egbemo-Angalabiri 3.	Mr. Boro Clarkson					Tonbini-polo, Agbidi-ama 4.	Mr. Peaceful Sampson				Okponodede, Agbidi-ama 5.	Mr. Felix Ebe					Azagbene 6.	Mr. James Emcy					Morisobo-polo, Agbidi-ama GRANDSONS – IN - LAW: 1.	Mr. Forgive Moses					Azagbene 2.	Mr. Iknow Saturday				Morisobo-polo, Agbidi-ama

DAUGHTERS – IN – LAW: 1.	Mrs. Keme-ekankumo Augustine Fungewei (first daughter – in – law) 2.	Mrs. Maria Emmanuel Fungewei 3.	Mrs. Ejiro Emmanuel Fungewei 4.	Mrs. Esther Kennedy Fungewei 5.	Mrs. Justina Igolukumo Fungewei 6.	Mrs. Atu Godbless Fungewei 7.	Mrs. Rita Matthew Fungewei CHAPTER FIVE. RETIREMENT: In 2013 he retired from Canoe carving to Agbidi-ama to rest. And that same year the Governor of Bayelsa State Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson launched a program to pay the aged from 75 years and above. As at then I was working with the younger brother to the Governor, Hon. Barr. Dickson Oruaze and such I used that opportunity to meet the Chairman of Alabeni RDA Hon. Jonathan and picked up the aged forms, send them home and submitted back. Therefore, he and others were being paid the sum of #5,000.00 only monthly, through the community Chairman until his death on 26th of July, 2014. As he retired, while at home he started money loaning business and such so many people owe him and it has become the obligation of the children to claim back such monies. ACHIEVEMENTS IN LIFE: 1)	Late Pa Sylvanus Fungewei became the 1st CDC Chairman of Agbidi-ama thrice by selection rather than election because men of integrity and leadership qualities were rare as at then. On two occasions his people came from Agbidi-ama to Syli-gbene and took him home to assume office as the CDC Chairman. i.	The first Town Hall in Agbidi-ama was built by Late Pa Sylvanus in his 1st tenure as the Chairman of Agbidi-ama in 1966. ii.	Community Primary School (CPS) Agbidi-ama was established in 1968 by Late Pa Sylvanus Fungewei in his 2nd tenure as the Chairman of Agbidi-ama iii.	The first three block rooms building of same school was also built by him in his 2nd tenure. iv.	Also, the opening up of Sei-fini-kusu Toru (Agbidi-ama River) project was also carried out in his 2nd tenure. v.	And in his 3rd tenure he brought the Ijebu man who destroyed most idols in Agbidi-ama which process created the avenue that led to the establishment of Jehovah Jeremi Zion Church of Agbidi-ama in 1977. This information was noted on May 11th 2014 from the horse’s mouth in Fuabo-polo, Agbidi-ama. SICKNESS AND DEATH: In his early life he used to smoke cigarette but in his old age just like the Federal government of Nigeria warned that smokers are liable to die young, the later effect of health showed up therefore, one of his sons-in-law Mr. Abiri Orunaghe scolded him so he stopped for a while and then continued again. This time around when he started smoking again the impact became worse. Therefore, he personally heeded to the Doctor’s advice and stopped smoking totally. Before his death he had an age longed pile which was being treated in a traditional way without much improvement. As I go home regularly he complains of eye pains each time, and Mrs. Ejiro Emmanuel Fungewei also advised me seriously on the need to take him to FMC, Yenagoa for eye treatment. Therefore, on the 27th of June, 2014 I took him to Yenagoa and on Monday 30th of June, 2014 being the clinic day for eye check-up we went to FMC and did the necessary test and treatment but he was told to go back for follow up on 13th of July, but we could not go back because of the Doctors strike. Though general test was to be carried out on the follow up date but I never knew he had Asthma, yet he was taking snuff which is an enemy to Asthma and this affected him so much. It made him faint twice before he was rushed to the health centre in Agbidi-ama and on getting there the Doctor confirmed that he was suffering from Asthma and that it was too late for any treatment. The Doctor did all he could but at exactly 2:00am on 26th of July, 2014 Pa Sylvanus Fungewei joined his ancestors at the age of 88 years. Oh! What a hero we lost! So, the corpse was taken to Oboro Mortuary and the burial ceremony was fixed for 19th of December, 2014. Until his death he was the second Ama-okosu-owei of Agbidi-ama community. RECOMMENDATION: 1.	From my observation all of us, both children and grand children paid less attention to his health promptly and never took it serious timely therefore, others should take correction from this. Remember early to bed is early to rise. Generally speaking, as children everybody wish to take good care of their parents but no matter how much we try it can never be exactly the way we proposed due to either financial and other challenges. Some sacrifices during the process of this book 1.	On the 10th of September, 2014, I called Uncle Kennedy Sylvanus Fungewei, Uncle Godbless Sylvanus Fungewei, Uncle Igolukumo Sylvanus Fungewei and my cousin Perezua Gangulu after work in SSAGS, Tunu site for a meeting on the History of our late Dad which lasted from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. 2.	Several phone calls were made on enquiry of names of some great grand children etc.