Engr. Chief Odieari Obuabereibama Oruye was a distinguished Nigerian engineer, academic, community leader, and spiritual figure whose life embodied discipline, intellect, service, and profound human impact. Born on 3rd March 1944 in Tombia, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, to Chief Eldred Oruye and Mrs. Offer Martha Oruye, he emerged from humble beginnings to become a towering figure in engineering education and community development.
Early Life and Education
Young Odieari began his academic journey at Tombia School (1950–1956), where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1956. He proceeded to County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, before relocating to Lagos in 1962. There, he attended Ansarudeen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, earning his West African School Certificate in 1964.
Driven by ambition and intellectual curiosity, he joined the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN)—later known as NEPA—while simultaneously pursuing advanced studies at the Federal School of Science as a part-time A-Level student. His academic excellence earned him a Russian Government scholarship in 1968, a pivotal moment that reshaped his destiny.
In the Soviet Union, he undertook preliminary studies in Leningrad, mastering the Russian language before advancing to Lvov, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He returned to Nigeria in 1974, voluntarily participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) despite being slightly above the mandatory age limit—an early testament to his sense of duty and patriotism.
Professional and Academic Career
Engr. Oruye began his academic career in 1975 at the Rivers State College of Technology, later known as Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), where he served with unwavering dedication until his retirement in 2010, and continued on contract until 2014.
A formidable lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, he became widely respected—and at times feared—for his discipline, high standards, and intolerance for mediocrity. Over decades, he taught foundational engineering courses such as:
- FCE 230 – Electrical Technology
- FEC 257 – Introduction to Engineering Practice
His influence was immense; generations of engineers who passed through the institution “drank from his well of knowledge,” many going on to shape Nigeria’s engineering landscape.
In pursuit of continuous academic excellence, he undertook in-service training at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, where he earned a Master of Philosophy (MPhil.) in Electrical Engineering.
Professionally, he was:
- A registered engineer with COREN
- A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), serving as Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch for four years
- A member of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE)
- A consultant to Danelec Ltd.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1968, before departing for the Soviet Union, he married Miss Jorinda Daba Korubo. Their union endured for 51 remarkable years, blessed with five children—four sons and one daughter—and stood as a testament to love, commitment, and stability.
Leadership, Community, and Social Impact
Beyond academia, Engr. Oruye was deeply engaged in community and socio-political development. He held numerous leadership roles, including:
- National President, County Grammar School Old Boys Association
- Chairman, Ebere Family Union
- Chairman, Kalabari Development and Unity Movement (KADUMO)
- Member, Ijaw National Congress
- Patron, Tombia Boat Drivers Union
- Patron, Host Communities for Oil Producing Companies Women
- Former Chairman, RUNLA Landlords Association, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt
He was also part of the Oil Rivers State Creation Movement and was honored as an Ambassador of Peace, reflecting his enduring commitment to justice, unity, and societal advancement.
Traditional Recognition and Chieftaincy
Engr. Oruye’s influence extended into traditional leadership. He was installed as a Chief in Tombia on 25th December 1999 and formally presented to the Kalabari Council of Chiefs (Se Kobiri). He later served as Chairman of the Tombia Council of Chiefs for a period and contributed actively to several traditional committees.
Spiritual Journey and Legacy of Faith
Raised in a Christian home, Engr. Oruye’s spiritual journey was both profound and unconventional. While in the United Kingdom, he was baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Communion, but a personal tragedy—the loss of his son in 1979—led him toward spiritualism.
He trained as a healer in spiritual churches in Glasgow and Bradford, eventually founding “The Revelation of God Spiritual Church,” later renamed Foundation Spiritual Church. Through this platform, he ministered healing, guidance, and spiritual insight to many.
He also shared his thoughts through published reflections titled “Questions That Touch The Mind” in Beacon Newspaper, demonstrating his philosophical depth and desire to engage broader society.
His beliefs emphasized:
- The fatherhood of God
- The brotherhood of humanity
- The communion of spirits
- Moral accountability and life after death
Passing and Enduring Legacy
Engr. Chief Odieari Obuabereibama Oruye passed away on 5th March 2020, leaving behind a legacy defined by intellectual rigor, moral discipline, community service, and spiritual depth.
He is survived by his wife, children, extended family, and countless beneficiaries of his mentorship and compassion.
Legacy in Perspective
Few lives so seamlessly blend engineering excellence, academic influence, traditional authority, and spiritual leadership. Engr. Oruye was not merely a teacher of engineering—he was a builder of minds, a shaper of character, and a custodian of values whose impact continues to resonate across generations.
