Chief David Siakpere: The Burial that Shook Delta State
By Ovie Edomi
“When beggars die there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes”
The ancient town of Egbo-Uhurie in Ughelli South Local Government, knew that indeed the heaven blaze forth at the burial of someone on April 10, 2026. This time, it is no other person than, late Chief David Mafuvwe Siakpere, former, longest serving principal of the Government College, Ughelli as well as Principal of Urhobo College Effurun, both in Delta state, among others. The town Egbo-Uhurie was painted red and vehicular movements in and out of the town turned the town into another center of attraction so much that the three days ceremony shook the quiet town and its environs to their foundations. The ceremony began with a service of song at st Andrew`s Cathedral on Okere road, Warri on Thursday 9th April, the burial was on Friday, April 10th at Egbo- Uhurie and the In-law`s greeting was on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at the Siakpere`s compound at Egbo Uhurie. The entire town and its environs not only stood still for the monumental visits by the La de cream of the society, who came to pay their last respect to the late academic icon, it was historic for the foremost educationist whose tenure as principal of many colleges including the prestigious Government College, Ughelli, in Delta state was seen in the history of the school, as a period that heralded the shaping of many students, in addition to the school`s enduring reputation that he built. He performed the same feat in Urhobo College.
However, before becoming principal, David Siakpere teaching career began at Hussey College Warri in January 1, 1964. He later proceeded for futher professional training and returned in July 1, 1973 to Hussey college as a State Board of education, SBE teacher, where he served until November 30, 1973 and was transferred to kevin`s College kokori. He was later to proceed on another professional training in 1974.
Upon his returned in July 1975 as a senior master, his transition into higher levels of academic leadership began. True to postulation, he was posted to Okpare Grammar school as vice principal on July 25, 1978, where he again demonstrated strong leadership and administrative prowess.
This led to his being appointed principal of Urhobo college in August 1981 and later Principal Government College, Ughelli from 1984 to 1993. As principal he used his position to strengthened the two schools reputation for academic excellence, discipline and character development .
This accounts for why generations of students remember him for his disciplinarianship commitment to shaping lives and moulding future leaders.
The late David Siakpere`s burial which began with the service of songs, the burial ceremony and In-law`s burial lasting three days not only attracted thousands of personalities to Egbo-Uhurie and its adjourning towns like Ughelli, Agbarho, Effurun, Warri, Sapele and even Asaba, capital of Delta state who came to pay their last respect to a man that old students described as Obiquator – meaning a man who in his time, as principal was seen everywhere.
Indeed, his students believed that there was nothing done that the late David Saikpere would not have an inclination of. As a result, in all the schools, he served as principal, his students and mentees go about their educational exploits / training with caution; believing that the obiqator who has an image of larger than life, was in every corner of the school environment.
All old students of the schools he taught before becoming vice principal and principal wanted to be part of the burial programme. Even the Governor of Delta state RT Hon sheriff Oborevwori and his deputy, friends of Olorogun Fred Majemite, a two time commissioner in Delta State and stalwart of the ruling party in Delta State and an In-law to the Siakperes were not left out. Also retired justices, Ambassadors, Union leaders, Nollywood actors and actresses, musicians, teachers/ educationists, market women, retired permanent secretaries, top government officials and politicians were not left out.
Aside from the interest to participate in the burial programme, movement in and out of Egbo – Uhurie and Effurun where the late David Siakpere resided until he transited to rest in the bosom of the lord, as well as the Ughelli and Asaba residence of Olorogun Fred Majemite, husband to Chief Mrs Helen Majemite, first daughter of late Chief David Siakpere, were another mecca, as visitors trouped in rapid proportion.
The burial service which attracted the governor of Delta State, RT Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as well as former governor James Ibori, as well as Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon Francis Waiver, member House of representatives representing Udu/ Ughelli South, Ughelli North Federal constituency and representative of Festus Keyamo, Aviation minister. Also present were Senator Ighoyota Amori, Chief Johnbull Ejovi, Justice Marshal Mukoro, Chief Bernard Edewor, Chief Dudu Akpotor Chief Andrew Oru, former chief of staff, Festus Agas, and many more made St Andrew`s Cathedral filled to the bream.
As for Egbo-Uhurie Grammar School field where the reception was held after the burial, the entire town became a bustling center of tourism. Everywhere the magazine reporter went across the town people were filled with smiles. Never have they seen such a burial of this magnitude, that attracted so many influential people in the town. Besides, the entertainment was lavishing, thrilling and satisfactory.
Though an exact figure can not be put to the number of persons that attended the burial ceremonies, what is certain is that for the three days that the town played host to visitors especially on the day of the burial and the In-law greeting by Olorogun Fred Majemite the people of Egbo-Uhurie knew that a great burial has indeed taken place.
Even pa David Saikpere, the Obiqator in death, will know that Delta state came to a standstill for his sake, with the high and low in the society coming to pay him tributes and commiserate with the Siakpere family and children.
The first daughter , Chief Mrs Helen Majemite while extrolling the great qualities of her father noted that she would like to be an educationist / teacher like her father and jokingly asked if it was still possible considering her age and everybody echoed “yes”.She described her father as a disciplinarian and a father to many people including a mentor to countless individual across the globe.
A group of old students who came to extrol the virtue of the late David Siakpere during their tributes described how the obiqator met a student who a senior student had sent buy cigarette (Benson) and the Principal caught hin as he was returning. When the student and principal obiqator – got to where the senior student was and the principal (obiqator) accosted him, the senior student said it was phensic he sent the younger student to buy because he was sick and not Benson. The story sent everyone laughing.
Another part of the burial that the entire community and Siakpere family will not forget in a hurry is the In-law’s greetings where Olorogun Fred Majemite pulled another crowd to the Siakpere family compound on Sunday April 12, 2026. The ceremony attracted the who is who in Delta State and the Abuja big boys. Majemite`s friends came in their hundreds from Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Lagos,, Ogun , Kano, Niger, Bayelsa, Uk, USA, Canada, Germany and so on. The Majemite in-law’s greeting was like another carnival.
The traditional musician and his dancers added colour to the ceremony as Olorogun Fred Majemite went greeting guests from far and wide, including using “Dollars” to wipe his wife`s tears as it is done traditionally in Urhobo land. He equally greeted his in-laws for the loss of their patriarch of the Siakpere`s Family with Kolanuts, Money and drinks and both Chief Mrs Helen Majemite and the Siakpere family were full of smile, as each person went home with joy of giving Patriach of the Siakpere family a befitting burial.
Born in August 1, 1939, Sir David Mafuvbe Siakpere, JP, was until his death, a distinguished educationist, respected statesman, community leader and devoted Christian whose life was defined by service, integrity, discipline and leadership. He shaped the lives of young people for decades through education/ teaching. He also contributed immensely to strengthening institutions through exemplary leadership, and his administrative prowess.
Late Chief David Siakpere began his formal education at St Mark`s primary school, Egbo-Uhurie Delta State before proceeding to James Welch grammar school, Emevor also in Delta state. He later attended Government College Ughelli, one of the most prestigious secondary schools in Nigeria. A school that shaped his intellectual outlook and commitment to excellence in life and a school he later grew to became one of its longest serving principal
He studied Economics at the University of Ibadan as well as bagged a postgraduate Diploma in Education. Even after retirement, in July 1 1998, his passion for education made him to establish Damasia secondary school in Enerhen, Warri, Delta state.
Beyond the classroom, Chief Siakpere was a respected community leader. He was once a Senatorial aspirant for Delta Central Senatorial District as part of his commitment and desire to serve his people.
Until his transition to glory he was a knight of Saint Christopher in the Anglican Communion and Served as a torch bearer at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Warri, Delta State. His marriage to chief Mrs. Christiana Onoberevune Siakpere took place in the same St. Andrew’s Cathedral church Warri on January 4, 1969 precisely 57 years ago. The marriage was blessed with nine children, 30 grand children and Oyoma Majemite, great grandchild.
Popularly called ighegbe R’ ide of Ughievwen Kingdom, his commitment to public service, community development and human capacity remain legendary. His funeral service will for decades be remembered in Delta state and beyond especially because of the carnival nature of the 3-day ceremonies that was put forth to celebrate the life and times of David Mafuvbe Siakpere.
While his legacies live on, an indigene of Egbo – Urhuie wondered when, the world would have another personality like David Mafuvbe Siapkere again. Indeed, he has left a mark and a vacuum hard to fill for years to come.