Cyril Owhoefe Djebah was born into the family of Chief Philip Bivese Djebah of Imigbu quarters and Chief Mrs. Martha Sanaye Djebah of Akpo quarters both of Okwagbe town on 1st March 1974 at Warri. His entrance as the ninth of the ten who eventually grew to adulthood brought unfathomable joy.He was named Ohwoefe meaning “the human person is wealth”. At baptism, he received the name Cyril.

He had a very jolly and jovial personality which was never dimmed even by sickness. He nicknamed himself adjalakpo (tiger) which was an echo of childhood memories as he had a t-shirt which he was very proud of with the picture of tiger on it.

CY, for short, as he was fondly called back in kindergarten days at Model Nursery school, Ajamimogha. In 1980, he was enrolled in Nana Primary School Warri. His performance throughout was outstanding. He loved the sports especially football but was performed the drama as well and his dramatic skills was captivating. His academic performance was also with distinction.

CY sojourned in the prestigious Federal government College Warri form September 1986 to 1992. Unfortunately, with the entire school result withheld that year, it opened a new window for him as he was re-enrolled at the industrious Delta Steel Company Technical High School which he completed in 1994. The same year he was admitted into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he studied Mathematics and Statistics and graduated in 1999. His National Youth Service was in Lagos State in 2000. After Service, he enrolled for a Post Graduate Diploma in 2001 in the University of Lagos as well.

Cy was highly enterprising. In 2001, he began a thriving business of recharge card sales and telephones and registered a business name DJECOMS LIMITED. After Service, he was employed as a full staff of P. B. Djebah & Company Ltd. Lagos branch as Logistics Manager.As logistics Manager, he ensured transportation of goods from the Port was done.Cy was later transferred to P. B. Djebah & Co. Ltd. Port Harcourt where he served till his demise.

Cy expressed a vibrant orthodox Catholic Spirituality from childhood.After his First Holy Communion in 1984 he showed interest in church as followed his mother to the St. John Urhobo Bible Society at the Cathedral, Warri in 1985 and 1986 every Mondays and Saturdays while still in primary school. Members took interest in him as he could read the Urhobo Bible during such gatherings.In secondary school, he became a dedicated member of the choir and grew to the post of Choirmaster. He could not resist choir activities wherever he found himself. In Port Harcourt, he was a member of St. Cecilia Choir at St. Francis Port Harcourt and the Parish choir of Our Lady of Victory Parish, Rumuodumaya, Port Harcourt. He was also a member of the Legion of Mary.

Cy had battled with health challenges at different stages in life. He was diagnosed of Discoid Lupus Erthematossus (DLE) in 1989, then Systemic Lupus Erthematossus (SLE) in 2001; a disease that has no known medical cure worldwide and continues to defile scientific and medical research.The deteriorating state of the lupus affected his kidney.In all his battles he bore his pains with a smiling and cheerful face.

Cy was a loving sport personality. He loved athletics, table tennis and football in his school days but later got even more entangled with the Cricket. His passion for the game was overwhelming. As reported by the Cricket federation, “He played, he coached and sponsored.”He was an eloquent cricket commentator on Radio Nigeria Info (92.3FM), Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He was willing to promote the game at the grass root. He sponsored a trainer to recruit interested and talented students in his alma mater Federal Government College Warri amongst others.He brought the equipment from India.

At Delta Steel Company (DSC), Technical High School, Ovwian-Aladja, he was fondly called Uncle Cy by the junior students and in no time became of renown. He was very active in the Federal Govt. College Old Students Association (FEDGOCOWOSA) and DSC Technical High Old Students Association (THSOSA) as well. At the University of Lagos, he was a proud member of the National Union of Urhobo Students. For him, his culture was his pride.

Cyril got married to Former Miss Lucy Ngozi Olisa on 12th August 2006 and they were blessed with three children.Her loving personality is overwhelming. Despite his health challenges, she was of immense support.

Cy has a horrific experience of been kidnapped in 2014 on his way from Port Harcourt where he spent 3 days in the hands of kidnappers till he was rescued unhurt by of the Nigerian Police Force.

Cy started dialysis towards the end of January 2021 in Port Harcourt with the hope of a possible transplant surgery. He was transferred to Lagos on 17th February (Ash Wednesday).This last phase of his life was a moment of faith and trial. In Lagos, he would struggle to attend Stations of the Cross and receive the sacrament. His last two weeks were spent at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. He remained cheerful and with hope of improvement. On 23rd March, he was administered Holy communion by his younger brother Fr. Nicholas who spent the last hours with him. At about 3:00 AM of Wednesday 24th March, 2021, he transited to eternity. May God grant him a place of light and peace in his kingdom.

We are grateful to all who gave their support; medical personnel, family and friends for their support.

He is survived by:

Mrs. Lucy NgoziDjebah – Wife
Miss Rita Erukakpo Djebah – Daughter
Master Philip Omoyoshovwi Djebah – Son
Miss Francisca Amrevwogha Djebah – Daughter
Mother, brothers, sisters, relations, in-laws.