King Dr. Robert Ebizimor, Hero Beyond The End of Time

Musical Maestro

By: Gesikeme Akparakata

King Robert Ebizimor, our father will forever live in our hearts, beyond time and space.

In life, he was celebrated, beloved, very influential and the most famous musician in Ijaw land. To paraphrase Voltaire, the French writer, “The musical artist was the best of all his contemporaries”. To continue the metaphor, here was a man who lived larger than life, and his legacy lingers beyond death.

And so when we remember his life’s work, rather than mourn, let’s celebrate and thank God for bringing such an iconic figure and father who changed our lives in more ways than one! And I mean the entire Ijaw race not just his biological children!

And today we are so poised to ask, ‘ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory!’

Interestingly, it is often said that a hero is someone who goes to war to kill or get killed. War heroes return home after enduring the trauma of battle, captivity, or torture. But what benefit does it make for one to take the life of another to be celebrated on earth only to stand against the gate of hell hereafter? As such, it is important for us to celebrate the hero beyond war medals! Celebrate the man who throughout his life dedicated his whole time to heal the broken hearted; to save lives; to unite society; to preach peace, and constantly explore in his songs the dynamics of peace and love over hate and evil; which was what, King Robert Ebizimor stood for. Talk of a modern day hero as he joined a community of individuals to define the essential qualities of selflessness and courage, and to be willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good of his society.

King Ebizimor believes to be remembered as much for how one faced death as for what one accomplished in life. No wonder he sang not just to impress his audience, but for eternity. Too bad, the Ijaw Nation has lost a rare gem, hence the need for his memorial year after year.

Historically, the late maestro, King Robert Ebizimor was one of the first set of Ijaws to have shot his star into national fame with a hybrid brand of High-life, juju, afro beat, reggae, fugi, makosa, and his traditional owigiri music.

He was born on 25th of September, 1943, to Pa Ebizimor of Angalabiri and Ayamasa towns of Bayelsa state, and Ma Ziwuru of Ojobo in Delta State. He was the last child in a family of seven. As a child he lost his parents early in life and had to fend for himself right from the 1960s.

As challenging as life was, young Robert had to do a lot of blue collar jobs like hewing of faggots, commercial lumbering ( cutting and rafting of timber), digging and carrying of sand, tapping and supply of palmwine to gin distillation in Angalabiri, Ojobo, Ndoro, Amabolou, and other Ijaw communities. Through this difficult and tasking jobs the hero later discovered his musical talent. He however obtained his basic education at Community Primary School Angalabiri, Secondary Modern School, Patani, and lately School of Basic Studies, now College of Arts and Science, Rivers State.

His musical career started from the moonlit nights as the villagers gathered to listen to his melodious voice. He did that every night to entertain them freely with no intention of making money, but merely enjoying his talent.

His initial set of instruments were the local xylophone, box keyboard and drums. Thereafter, he began to feature regularly at funerals, marriages and other ceremonies. King Roby as he was fondly called developed himself so much that he became so popular within and outside the shores of Nigeria. His musical talent was sharpened by the likes of Osondu, S. K. Karebo, Rex Jim Lawson, Prof. Isaac Koruware Belemu, and others. But his direct mentoring came from Prince David Bull who taught him how to play the guitar.

The muse in Ebizimor waded through so many hurdles in the 1960s, and by the 70s he had produced a number of hit songs, some of which were bestsellers. The musical giant gained popularity in 1974 when the band was formed with his hit song, titled, ‘ Afalua’. His band Robert Ebizimor & Izon Brothers Dance Band of Nigeria became so famous with impressive hundreds of songs written and composed by him. Amazingly those who were close to him testified to his genius as a man who could tell a full story within a line. ” There is no such musician like him ever” testified King Pereama Freetown, the Izon Numuo Pere (II).

His albums and songs include ‘ Afalua, Papa Money No Be Your Own, Helen, late Ebakpa, Keinde, Destiny, Friday, Amala ogbo of Angalabiri, Amasoma Ebiere ogbo, Bibobara, INC, Dua ama bo, Selefabo Binafa, Atu ka atu, Tompolo GOC, etc.

Worth listening, when he sang, he sang in powerful rhythms and the lyrics were loaded with meaning and philosophy. Though most of his songs were sang in the Ijaw dialect, but few were of pidgin English or a mixture of other dialects like the Efik, or Ghana. He had a powerful gift that could adapt to any language within a second.

As a philosopher of rare breed, his songs dwelt on the wrongs of the society, destiny, politics, and one’s determination in life, prevailing on the social cultural norms of the Ijaw Nation.

Apart from his sonorous voice, he was equally versatile in almost all the musical instruments in his band. Though a master of the guitar, he performed equally as the lead vocal for the band numbering about a dozen men and women. The rendition had wider implications and his influence and outfit subsequently produced a large number of musicians of the Owigiri fame: such as Best man Doupere, Agbeotu Teibo, S. Eseduwo, King Pereama Freetown, Anthony Cockson, Princess Diana, Johnson Mirin, Abraham Young, Melenge, Ade Benin keme, Azene Micah, Eniye Igoli, Izon ebi Fred, Efere Epebifie, Best B, etc.

He was the first musician who exploited the hidden power of the feminine to entertain his enthusiastic audience. During those days, amazons like Doris Etolo, Esi Yemo, Vero Tambowei, ( now Mrs Tunde Smooth), and Embeleakpo Amgbare would take the centre stage as dancing goddesses.

As the greatest and leading exponent of Owigiri, the hero had many titles and awards to his name. The honorary titles of Doctor and Chief earned him a mark of distinction. He was Numou Pere 1 of Izon, Akpo Tolumo Owei 1, Egberi Gbapamo Owei 1, among others.

His popularity grew over the years as he made himself a voice of peace over the militants in the Niger Delta to embrace dialogue against violence. He was a jewel even in boardrooms. He was made a board member of the Rivers State Utility Board in 1981 and then Electricity and Water Committee in 1981-83. The contributions of this priceless musical Icon went beyond using music to unite his people. He had been at the vanguard of our musical revolution projecting Owigiri as a Niger Delta brand of high Life music to international standard.

King ( Dr) Ebizimor was a man of many parts rolled into one. He had a knack for music as for social activities, politics and hobbies as soccer, table tennis, hockey and swimming. He was Chairman, Practicing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa state Chapter. He was a member of SALGA Progressive Movement and an Adviser to the Community Council.

He was also a special adviser to the Bayelsa State Government.

His songs had been laden with political undertones and he was quite political most of the times. His name made rounds in the political circles as he once or twice declared his intention to be involved in the politics of the Fourth Republic. Funny enough, the murky political waters was not favourable to the foremost musical hero, an experience he promised not to repeat again in his life time.

As an African, the Ijaw music King had several wives in his youth, and had many children to his dynasty. His last wife was Mrs Peremobo ere Ebizimor.

He lived an interesting life, and died on July 31st 2014 in a ghastly motor accident in Warri.

Even in death, he is still a King whose footprints and size remain indelible in the history of the Ijaw Nation.

May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Courtesy: King Robert Ebizimor’s children