Political Scientist, Lawyer, Administrator
Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was an accomplished administrative officer and Permanent Secretary of old Rivers State and Bayelsa State, who rendered selfless service. He was best known as the former Head of Service of Bayelsa State.
Synopsis
He was a notable administrative officer in the public service of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A graduate of Political Science from the prestigious University of Lagos, he later earned a Law degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. The Ekeremor‑born Permanent Secretary attained the zenith of his civil service career when he was appointed Head of Service of Bayelsa State. He was often misunderstood by many. Dr. Barr. Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan passed away five months after his retirement from the civil service in 2010, at the age of 60.
Birth and Parents
Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was born on March 8, 1950, to Pa Tuayeringhan Ebimoghan and Mrs. Bomoundiere Ebimoghan (née Omukoro) in Ekeremor town, the headquarters of present‑day Ekeremor Local Government Area, formerly in Mid‑West Nigeria but now in Bayelsa State.
Education
He attended Local Authority (LA) Primary School, Ekeremor from 1958 to 1963. He proceeded to St. Brendan’s Grammar School, Bomadi (1964–1968), which later became Bomadi Grammar School, Government College, and is now Government Mixed Secondary School, Bomadi, Delta State. He studied at Urhobo College, Effurun (1969–1970), where he completed his Higher School Certificate. At the University of Lagos, Akoka, he earned a First‑Class Honours Degree in Political Science (1971–1975). Between 1990 and 1994, he studied Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, obtained an LL.B., and was called to the Bar in 1996. In 1999, he attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru‑Jos, Plateau State, and qualified as a Member of the National Institute (MNI). In 2000, he received a Ph.D. in Business Management from Carolina Christian University, USA, in recognition of his services to God and humanity. In 2009, he obtained an M.Sc. in Public Administration from Imo State University, Owerri. He completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State (1975–1976).
Career
He began his career in 1977 as a Social Welfare Officer with the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Welfare, Rivers State. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various ministries and offices, including:
- Cabinet Division, Works Directorate, and Rivers State Tenders Board (1979–1983)
- Ministry of Education and Murtala Mohammed Civic Center Management Committee (1984–1985)
- Chief of Protocol, Military Governor’s Office (1986–1987)
- Special Public Works Committee and Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (1987–1989)
- Grassroots Democratic Party and Ministry of Information and Culture (1990)
- Government House, Port Harcourt, and Sole Administrator of Ekeremor LGA (1991–1992)
- Deputy Director, Governor’s Office (1994–1996)
When Bayelsa State was created in 1996, he transferred his service home, becoming the pioneer Director‑General of Establishment, Training, and Pension Bureau. He later served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries before being appointed Head of Service of Bayelsa State in June 2002. He served three governors: Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Chief Timipre Sylva. He retired honorably on March 8, 2010.
Memberships and Awards
- Institute of Administrative Management (1989)
- Nigerian Bar Association (1996)
- Fellow, Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria
- Award of Excellence, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria
- Fellow, International Association for Impact Assessment, Nigeria
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria
Family and Faith
He married Mrs. Ester Mayuku Ebimoghan (née Seiyefa) in 1978, and they had children together. He was a devout Catholic.
Death
Tragically, he died five months after retirement in a motor accident along the Isiokpo–Port Harcourt highway while hurrying to catch a flight for a planned vacation abroad.
Misconceptions
He was often misunderstood by colleagues, who saw him as high‑handed. In reality, he was a principled administrator who valued professionalism, productivity, and meticulousness. His high standards were often misinterpreted, but they reflected his commitment to excellence in public service.
