Administrator, Clergy
Bethany Bille Ziwari was a quintessential Civil Servant and Permanent Secretary who made substantial contributions to the development of the public service sector. He was best known for his godly disposition as an Anglican Priest in the Niger Delta.
Synopsis
Born in 1956 in Opokuma town of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, he was a pioneer Chief Scientific Officer of Bayelsa State from 1996 and was later appointed Permanent Secretary in 2012. Bethany Bille Ziwari was a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. Self-effacing and kind to a fault, he embraced the Anglican faith firmly in 1993 and was ordained Reverend Canon in 2008. Rev. Canon Bethany Bille Ziwari passed away in 2018 at the age of 66.
Parents and Birth
His father was the late Chief Jonathan Bille Ziwari of Kalama compound, and his mother was the late Madam Bessy Fiebai of Oyobu II in Opokuma clan, all in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Bethany Bille Ziwari was born in 1956 and came from a well-to-do family background.
Education
Bethany Bille Ziwari obtained his General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level in 1971 and his West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate at Gaskiya College, Cardoso, Ijora village, Lagos State in 1972. He proceeded to the University of Lagos in 1973 and graduated from the Faculty of Sciences with a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) degree with Second Class Honors in 1977. He completed his mandatory National Service in old Gongola State (now Adamawa State) from August 1977 to August 1978. In 1983, he furthered his studies in the United Kingdom at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, earning a Masters in Pharmaceutical Analysis. He also obtained a Diploma in Ophthalmic Optics in 1985.
Work Experience
Bethany Bille Ziwari began his career as a Chemistry teacher at Government Secondary School, Takun, in the then Gongola State (now Adamawa State) from 1977 to 1978. On July 24, 1980, the old Rivers State civil service employed him as a Scientific Officer at the Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt. He advanced through the ranks in the civil service of the old Rivers State and transferred his services to the newly created Bayelsa State in 1996. He served as the pioneer Chief Scientific Officer of the Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, starting on November 1, 1996. He was appointed Permanent Secretary on July 20, 2012, serving at the office of the Secretary of the State Government. He retired meritoriously on August 16, 2013.
Christian Life
Mr. Bethany Bille Ziwari embraced Christianity wholeheartedly in 1993, rejecting worldliness and unrighteousness. He served as the Evangelism Officer at New Covenant Anglican Church, Nizimiro, Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt, and was involved in outreach areas including Eagle Island and Rumu-odogo in Emohua. He was instrumental in the development of Bethesda Church in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt. In 2004, he was ordained a Priest by Rt. Rev. Adolphus Amabebe, the then Bishop of Niger Delta West, and in 2008, he was installed as Reverend Canon. He worshipped at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Biogbolo town, Bayelsa State, until his passing. He also trained with the Board of Governing Council and the Chaplain Fellowship of Nigeria in 2007, earning the rank of Chaplain State Commandant. He served as Chaplain of the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Bayelsa State, from 2007 to 2011.
Family
He married Mrs. Ikalaghain Ziwari (nee Arugu), a retired Civil Servant of Bayelsa State, in 1980, and they had three dutiful children together.
His Death
In May 2018, Reverend Canon Bethany Bille Ziwari fell ill and subsequently passed away on July 26, 2018, at Cedar Crest Hospital (FCT) Abuja. He was 66 years old.
