A Timeless Person – Distinguished Civil Servant, Administrator, Educationist, First Nembe Deputy Permanent Secretary
Chief Joseph Nimibio Dambo was not just a civil servant. He was a bridge between two eras – the native administration of Old Brass and the modern bureaucracy of Nigeria and Rivers State. His life was public service, education, and community.
Born on 20th December, 1920, Chief Dambo belonged to the most prestigious bloodlines of Nembe. His story is the informal history of the Dambo family itself – a history preserved during burial ceremonies and communal gatherings, where genealogy is transmitted to younger generations.
- ROYAL ANCESTRY – THE OGBODO AND MEIN DYNASTIES
He was born into the family of Chief Walson Warimbogha Dambo, also known as Oje, and Madam Christiana Ayabo Dambo (née Sawari). He was the fifth of eleven children.
Paternal Lineage: Great-grandson of Iworisou, son of King Kariya of the Tamuno Group of Houses of the Ogbodo dynasty. Also great-grandson of Ogointa, daughter of King Mein of the Mein dynasty. According to historian Alagoa, King Mein earned distinction as the only king to have controlled the route into and out of the River Niger by exacting fees before passage of foreign ships following the Kiberi Creek conflict. His lineage also traces to Oibo of the Kalabo lineage in the Kalabo Group of Houses. His father was of the Oruwari, Dambo, Elem, Oje and Obadiah Chieftaincy House in the Duguruyai Group of Chieftaincy Houses.
Maternal Lineage: Maternal grandmother Kezia of the Oruwari lineage, maternal grandfather Sawari of the Iwowari Group of Houses. His mother was associated with the Oruwari, Dambo, Elemu, Oje, and Obadiah Chieftaincy Houses within the Duguruyai Group.
- ELEMENTARY EDUCATION – THE NATIVE ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL
He received his elementary education at the Native Administration School, Bassambiri, an institution established under the Native Administration Council founded in 1896 following an inquiry by the British authorities into disturbances at Brass.
It was regarded as one of the leading elementary institutions of its time. Although precise admission and completion dates are not available, his subsequent achievements proved the solid foundation he received there.
- SECONDARY EDUCATION – THE BRILLIANT KNC BOY
After Standard Six, he proceeded to Kalabari National College, Buguma, in 1939. There he distinguished himself as an exceptional intellectual.
His crowning achievement was his outstanding performance in the Senior Cambridge Examination in 1943, which reportedly earned him exemption from the London Matriculation Examination – a rare academic feat at the time.
However, owing to financial constraints, his father, Chief Walson Warimbogha Dambo, could not immediately sponsor his university education. Consequently, Chief Dambo took up an appointment with the Board of Customs and Excise in June 1944, postponing his university education until 1954.
- UNIVERSITY EDUCATION – TENACITY OF A SCHOLAR
In 1954, after ten years in service, he demonstrated uncommon determination and gained admission to the University College, Ibadan, to study History. He graduated in 1957 with a Second Class Honours degree in History.
His return to formal education after years in public service remains a timeless lesson in resilience.
- WORK EXPERIENCE – FROM CUSTOMS TO SUPER PERMANENT SECRETARY
His career is the history of Nigeria’s civil service itself.
He began his career in the Federal Public Service with the Board of Customs and Excise in June 1944. He served for several years, resigned in 1954 to pursue his university education, and resumed in 1957 after graduation, rising through positions of increasing responsibility.
He served in the Ministry of Aviation, where he contributed to Nigeria’s engagement with other countries in international air transport relations.
Before his transfer to the newly created Rivers State in 1966, he had already attained the rank of Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Federal level – a position he attained before the Nigerian Civil War. He was said to have been the first Nigerian and also Ijaw man to attain the rank of Deputy Permanent Secretary at either Federal or Regional level.
Following the creation of the Old Rivers State by the General Gowon Government on May 26, 1966, the challenges of establishing the administrative structure became apparent. At the request of the first Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, he transferred his services to the Rivers State Civil Service and was immediately promoted to Permanent Secretary to strengthen the administrative cadre.
Later, as the civil service became established, he became one of the few Permanent Secretaries to attain the position of Super Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
He also served as Acting Secretary to the Military Government. Among Permanent Secretaries, his experience and years of service placed him in position to be considered for appointment as Secretary to the Civilian Government when Melford Okilo became Governor of Old Rivers State. However, owing to the prevailing riverine-upland political dichotomy, he was not appointed.
- SEMINARS & INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE
While in Federal service, before his transfer to Rivers State, the pre-independence and early independence period gave him international exposure through seminars and conferences:
- International Civil Aviation Conference in San Diego, California, U.S.A., in 1965
- Air Transport Course at Oriel College, Oxford, England
- Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Tokyo, Japan
- MEMBERSHIP OF BOARDS – A MAN TRUSTED WITH THE NATION’S ECONOMY
He served on boards of various companies and organizations:
- Chairman, Nigerian Coal Corporation
- Member, Board of Directors, Nigeria Airways
- Chairman, FESTAC Committee of Rivers State – In this capacity, he successfully organized the ODUM Masquerade Display at Okrika
- Director, West African Glass Industries, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- CONTRIBUTIONS TO NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT
While in Ministry of Aviation, through his initiatives, Nigeria concluded bilateral air agreements with several countries, including:
- U.S.S.R
- United Arab Republic (UAR)
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Zaire
- Cameroon
At Opu Nembe (Bassambiri), he was pivotal to the establishment of the Government Girls’ College. He also participated in various launching ceremonies organized for the development of Opu Nembe.
- RELIGION
A devoted Christian and member of the Saint Cyprian Church, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
- MARITAL STATUS
Married to Mrs. Clarina Erefagha Dambo (née Derri) of the Guokuma Family. The marriage was blessed with many children.
- FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LEADER
Chief Dambo was a benevolent man whose concern for educational development of family members contributed to the Dambo family’s distinctive educational standing in Nembe.
Deeply involved in community affairs, his oratorical gift coupled with his educational background made him the spokesperson of the community on various occasions.
- DEATH – DYING ON DUTY
Chief Joseph Nimibio Dambo died on May 30, 1989 while on a communal service. He died serving his people.
PUBLICATION SOURCE:
THIS BIOGRAPHY WAS SUPPLIED BY HIS SON, HON. BIRIYAI DAMBO, SAN – ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE, BAYELSA STATE.
The son of Chief Joseph Nimibio Dambo, Barr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN is an accomplished attorney, founder of Dambo & Co (Nimibio Chambers) (1994), Senior Advocate of Nigeria (2013), and has served as Bayelsa State Attorney General since 25th August 2020 to date.
