Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere — Okpofagha in Ijaw — stood at the intersection of kingship, literature, and public service. A prince of the Tombia royal family in the Ekpetiama Kingdom, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, he reigned for 50 years as Otobotekere the Okun XIX. He was equally distinguished as a published poet, a senior finance executive at Shell BP, and one of Bayelsa’s foremost environmental voices. His life was a testament to leadership rooted in culture, sharpened by education, and dedicated to community.

Parents and Birth

Born on April 21, 1925, in the Tombia community of what was then colonial Southern Nigeria, Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere was a member of the family of the late Chief Okpofaa. His father, Okpofagha, was the son of Chief Otobotekere, who held the esteemed position of ruling chieftain over the Birifabiri Quarter in Tombia. Unfortunately, Okpofagha passed away in 1939.

Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere’s mother, Gbeinkoromo, hailed from the lineage of Ekpebu, a significant figure in Sabagreia town located within the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

His name, _Christian_, was a tribute to his forebears’ recent conversion to Christianity a few years prior to his birth. As a result, he was raised with a blend of Ijaw ethnic nationality traditions and values alongside Christian principles.

Education

His educational journey began at the Junior Infant School in the Tombia community, from 1933 to 1935. He then continued his studies at the renowned Reverend Proctor Memorial Primary School in Kaiama, located in the Eastern Region of Nigeria at the time. In 1940, he achieved a notable accomplishment by excelling in his First School Leaving Certificate examination.

Following this achievement, he gained admission to the well-known Okrika Grammar School (OGS) in Okrika town, in the Eastern Region of Nigeria. His student identification number at OGS was 108, and he displayed remarkable intelligence, bringing pride to the school. In 1945, he further distinguished himself by passing the London Cambridge School Certificate Examination with an impressive Grade I. This achievement opened the doors to higher education.

After a period of service in the colonial public sector, he gained admission to Fourah Bay University College in Sierra Leone in 1954, where he studied Economics. His academic journey culminated in 1957 when he graduated from Durham University in England with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, marking the successful completion of his formal education.

Career Life

From 1946 to 1954, Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere served as a dedicated public servant within the colonial government. His roles included working as a court interpreter, stenographer, and administrator at the coastal district headquarters of Twon-Brass in the Eastern Region of Nigeria. He also contributed his skills in Buea, which was then part of the Cameroons.

After graduating in 1957, he briefly taught at Baptist High School in Port Harcourt. He then transitioned from teaching to join the multinational company Shell British Petroleum (BP) as an Accountant. Over a span of nineteen years, from 1958 to 1978, he held various significant positions within the company, including Treasurer and later Assistant Controller of Finance for the Eastern Division of Shell BP.

Upon retiring from Shell BP, he diversified his endeavors, venturing into real estate, publishing, education, and environmental consulting. He achieved notable success in these pursuits and established his own company, Christian Tawi and Sons. The company conducted business transactions with an Italian firm, showcasing his entrepreneurial skills and international engagement.

During the Second Republic, 1979 to 1983, Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere also ventured into politics. He became a member of the Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP), founded by the esteemed Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim. In addition, he was appointed Chairman of the Rivers State Schools Management Committee during this period.

In 1984, he was honored with an appointment as a Lay Magistrate for the Yenagoa Division of the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation and Revenue Tribunal. This reflected his dedication to public service and his contributions to the legal and regulatory aspects of the region.

Chieftaincy

Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere possessed noble lineage through his ancestry. It is recounted that he descended from two esteemed chieftains on both his paternal and maternal sides: Chief Otobotekere and Chief Akoko of Birifabiri and Ingbelebiri, respectively. This lineage made him deserving to guide and oversee the Otobotekere dynasty.

He was nominated for this role in 1972, and in 1973, he was installed as Amananaowei, King, of the Tombia community. His official coronation took place around 1975, solidifying his status.

Henceforth, he assumed the title of _Otobotekere the Okun XIX, Amananaowei of Tombia community_, and for the next fifty years, he conducted himself with utmost dignity and commanded respect in his role as His Royal Highness. He also served as the interim His Royal Majesty of the Ekpetiama Clan for more than ten years, until approximately 2016, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to his community and clan.

Literary Works

The most prominent aspect of the life of the late HRH Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere was contemporary literature, where he gained significant renown as a distinguished poet. Throughout his lifetime, he published 14 books, showcasing his literary prowess. His contributions included essays, short stories, and poems that explored diverse philosophical themes.

Within literary circles in the Niger Delta, he was known as the “Poet King,” a testament to his brilliance. As of 2022, he was recognized as the oldest African literary writer, underscoring his enduring commitment to the craft.

Beyond writing, he demonstrated steadfast dedication to supporting the literary community. He served as Grand Patron of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors, symbolizing his commitment to nurturing literary talent in his region.

Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere’s legacy in the literary world remains a testament to his creative spirit, intellectual contributions, and his role as a guiding figure for aspiring writers in Nigeria and beyond.

His Ordeal

In 2015, at the remarkable age of 92, Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere endured a distressing ordeal when he was abducted by criminal elements. The incident occurred in his domain, the Tombia community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Following his abduction, he was held at an undisclosed location for several weeks within the challenging waterways of the Niger Delta.

Fortunately, he emerged physically unharmed. The event marked a sorrowful chapter in the life of the esteemed “Poet King,” causing personal anguish and casting a shadow over the entire Tombia kingdom. The abduction underscored the security challenges prevalent in certain regions.

Family and Achievements

The esteemed “Poet King,” Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere, embraced family life wholeheartedly. He had about 17 children and provided them with the best opportunities life had to offer. His children have gone on to achieve greatness in various fields.

Beyond his immediate family, he extended benevolence to many people of Ijaw descent, impacting lives both financially and morally. His influence also extended to the establishment of key institutions in his community, including Ekpetiama Comprehensive High School in Tombia and the Bayelsa State School of Nursing and Midwifery.

He also contributed to infrastructure development in the Niger Delta. He played a pivotal role in facilitating the construction of the access road linking Tombia to other communities. His efforts led Shell BP to undertake clearing works to construct a road from Tombia to Gbarantoru and Obunagha in the Gbarain Kingdom, all within Yenagoa LGA. Additionally, he supported the late Chief Melford Okilo in the ambitious road construction project from Kaiama via Agudama near Tombia to Amassoma. He provided a parcel of land in Tombia as the operational base for Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd. However, due to political changes and the end of the Second Republic in 1983, the project was not fully realized as envisioned.

The construction site that once housed Julius Berger later became the campus for the School of Nursing and Midwifery in October 1998. Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere lived to witness the completion of the Etegwe, Tombia, and Amassoma road project and personally benefited from it. His legacy of community development lives on through these initiatives.

His Death

HRH Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere, the Okun XIX, Amananaowei of Tombia, passed away on February 13, 2023, at the age of 98. His departure marked the end of an era and a life rich in accomplishments.

In recognition of his significance, a befitting funeral was organized by his family, the Association of Nigerian Authors, and the Bayelsa State Government. The event took place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, providing an opportunity for loved ones, fellow authors, and government officials to pay their respects and celebrate his legacy.

The passing of HRH Christian Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere marked the end of a remarkable journey, while his enduring impact on his community, the literary world, and beyond continues to resonate.

Source

Clues from Dr Stephen Temegha Olali, PhD, LmHSN

• _{Chief Historian and Archivist of Bayelsa state, Nigeria, and Biography of His Highness Christian Otobotekere (JP)}