Educationist, Administrator, Journalist – in focus since the late 1970s.
Born 25th December, 1932 at Odi to Pa Sami and Madam Makawain of Ubaka Compound, Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa State.
Early Teaching (1948-1968)
Proctor’s Memorial School, Kaiama (1939-1946). Pupil Teacher at Odi, Patani, Kaiama, St. Cyprian’s School, Port Harcourt (1948-51). Grade Three & Grade Two Teacher, St. John’s Training College, Diobu. Taught at Okordia, Sabagreia, Taylor Creek, Anyama-Ogbia, Ekpetiama, Odi, Prince Commercial Institute Onitsha and Lagos City College.
University Education (1968-1978)
1968 – University of Stirling, Scotland – History, Sociology, Education, English Literature. Student member, University Appointments Board; PRO, Student Union; Secretary, United Nations Students Association.
1971-1974 – University of Edinburgh – Post-Graduate Diploma in Adult Education and M.Ed (Comparative Education, Context and Structure of Education, Teacher and Society, Educational Concepts). Thesis: ‘The Progress of Education in Nigeria with particular reference to the role of the Nigeria Military Government in Policy Intervention’. Course in Educational Broadcasting, B.B.C. London. Represented Education Department at International Congress of University Adult Education, Middleton, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh encouraged him to PhD. Accepted by 5 UK Universities: Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Leeds, Liverpool – advised to choose Birmingham for Nigeria specialist work.
1974-1978 – University of Birmingham – 5 months fieldwork in Rivers State. Thesis: ‘The Changing Status of Primary School Teachers: A Case Study of the Rivers State of Nigeria’ supervised by Dr. Margaret Peil, Sociologist, expert in manpower development and former University of Lagos staff. Defended 1st March, 1978.
Distinguished Career (1978-1999)
- April 1978 – Nov 1979: In charge, School of Educational Studies, Uniport. Represented School at Deans of Nigerian Universities Conference, Lagos and Calabar. Attended JAMB Zaria, National Teachers’ Institute Kaduna. Member, Logistics Committee, NTI. Member, Housing Committee Uniport & many Interview Panels. Lecturer in Comparative Education.
- Dec 1979 – June 1982: Executive Chairman, School of Basic Studies (now College of Arts and Science), Rivers State. Groomed secondary leavers for universities. Over 1,000 Rivers students gained admission into universities in Nigeria, US and UK under him. Member, Rivers State School Curriculum Review Committee (1980-81).
- 1983: Member, Governing Council, Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta.
- 1 August 1985: Appointed Senior Lecturer II, Department of Education/Social Studies, Rivers State College of Education.
- 1 September 1985: Appointed Acting Head, Department of Guidance and Counseling.
- Feb 1986 – 1988: Member, Rivers State College of Education Governing Council, representing Congregation (2 years).
- 1988: Again Dean, Faculty of Education, College of Education, Port Harcourt & Member, Rivers State Task Force on Implementation of the National Policy on Education.
- Jan 1989 – 21 June 1990: Left College on secondment – Chairman, Rivers State Primary Schools Management Board.
- Returned to College of Education after assignment.
- 1993-95: Chairman, OMPADEC Advisory Committee on Education and Manpower Development and subsequently Member, OMPADEC Policy Implementation Advisory Committee.
- 1995 – Dec 1999: Dean, School of Education, Rivers State College of Education.
- 2005 to February 2006: Appointed Chairman, Governing Council, Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science (BYCAS), Elebele – the pinnacle of his decades of service to education and his final call to duty before his passing.
Journalism & Pastimes
Favourite pastimes: photography, reading and writing for the press. Columnist in Environment Watch, a monthly environmental and socio-political newspaper printed and published by Environment Watch Communications. His column, ‘Educational Thinkers of Yore’ provided incisive discourse on leading educationists and philosophers from earliest times to recent past. In August 2000, he dwelt at length on Thomas Aquinas.
The Scholar at AGIP Estate
At Flat 7A, Road 8, Rumueme, AGIP Housing Estate, Mile 4, Port Harcourt – always seated and reading. Maintained fortified library with 3-4 blackboards for vocabulary and quotes. Later lived at Circular Road, Presidential Estate, Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
A Founding Father of Bayelsa State
Beyond his towering contributions to education, Dr. Ebiye Sami holds a place of honour as one of the reputable Founding Fathers of Bayelsa State.He belonged to that generation of visionary Ijaw leaders, intellectuals and statesmen whose relentless agitation, consultations and memoranda culminated in the creation of Bayelsa State on 1st October, 1996 by General Sani Abacha.
He stood alongside other reputable architects of the state such as Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Prof. Ebiegberi Alagoa, Dr. Amba Ambaiowei, Chief Dan Etete, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), among others – men who freed the Ijaw people from balkanization and gave them a homogenous state.
As an educationist who groomed over a thousand graduates for Rivers State, he lived to see and contribute intellectually to the educational take-off of his own Bayelsa State.
Family Life
A polygamist, he was married to:
- Late Madam Charity Sami-Ebiye (Nee Eteli) of Otakeme, Ogbia LGA (died 5th Nov, 2019)
- Madam Hannah Sami-Ebiye
His union was blessed with Eleven children (two deceased at press time):
- Late Ebiowei Sami
- Timiebi Sami
- Ayebiye Sami
- Late Ebiere Sami
- Izonebi Akpanari (Nee Sami)
- Inebimo Sami
- Erebi Sami
- Tekena Sami
- Ebitimi Sami
- Opuebi Sami
- Ebiola Olali (Nee Sami)
He once lived at Circular Road, Presidential Estate, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Passing and Burial
He passed away on 1st February, 2006 and was buried in his family compound, Ubaka, Odi on 1st December, 2006.
He was a builder of men, a library in himself, and a proud son of Odi.
