By Zik Gbemre
Doubtless, one of the foremost leaders in Ughievwen (Jeremi Clan/Kingdom), and the foremost leader of Iwhrekan Community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, and also the Patriarch of the Gbemre family, was PAPA CHIEF J.K.B GBEMRE,JP, whose life, time and achievements while alive, remains an exception to behold in years to come.
As far back as 1961, Papa Chief J.K.B Gbemre, Chief W. T. Odibo, Chief James Edewor, Chief Johnson Ukueku, Chief T. J. Sokoh, Chief Kagho, Chief Okotie, Chief S. D Oba, Chief Gbinijie, Chief Evivie, Chief Jefia Notoma, Chief Mabiaku, Chief Efejuku, Chief Origho, Chief Poberni, Chief Mega,Chief (Mrs) Alice Obahor then as a business merchants, were owners of private cars in the oil city of Warri, while other people of his peers and business colleagues, were still riding bicycles then. This is not meant to reduce the personalities of the others, who are well established today, but it is just to state the actual fact of these elders of that time when they started life in Warri.
In addition, Papa Chief J.K.B. Gbemre was one of the foremost dealers of textile materials of UAC then, and had special patent orders of the wrapper/textile material cloth, popularly known as “Butterfly” in different colours. This textile material cloth was designed by him, and produced by UAC for him as a distributor for the entire West Africa sub region then. Traders were coming from all over Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries to buy this particular product from him in Warri back then. He was indeed a successful and a great merchant/business man of his era.
Papa Chief J.K.B. Gbemre also believed in Education, and for that reason, he trained his siblings children and other children as his own children. Papa Gbemre was groomed and mentored by His Royal Highness Charles Eyagbologha Ugen, who was the husband of his immediate elder Sister Mami, and C.E Ugen was the first Okobaro of Ughievwen (Jeremi) Clan/Kingdom. He took Papa Gbemre like his own biological son.
The truth is, Papa Chief J.K.B. Gbemre, who was the Okpako-Orere (oldest man/Head) of Iwhrekan Community before his exit from earth, will be remembered as one of the forerunners of our kingdom who paved the way for those that followed, to be where and what they have become today. And for that, his memory will remain fresh in our hearts.
Zik Gbemre
We Mobilise Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
