Edison George Otuturu was a librarian at two universities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria from the early 1970s to 2007.
Biography of Edison George Otuturu
Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu was an astute and proficient librarian born on July 13, 1941, in Twon-Brass, Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He lectured at one time and also published. After retiring from the university as Chief Librarian, he became a hotelier and later died of a cardiac arrest while attending a funeral at Nembe-Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in 2017.
Early Life
Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu was born on October 24, 1935, in Twon-Brass to Mr. Erenfamokuma Otuturu and Mrs. Mary George Otuturu. He had a middle-class upbringing and was the first among his siblings. He completed his primary education at St. Barnabas School, Twon-Brass, and attended Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for his post-primary education.
In 1971, Edison left for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, seeking knowledge and advancement. He obtained a Bachelor in Library Science (B.L.S.) degree with 2nd class (upper division) and a graduate certificate in Education in 1974. He won the British Council award prize for the best all-around final year student in B.L.S. at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in the 1973/74 session. He later proceeded to Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leics, England-United Kingdom, where he obtained a Master of Arts (M.A) degree in Library and Information Science in 1980.
Places Edison George Otuturu Worked
Edison worked with the Nembe County Council in the then Eastern Nigeria between 1964 and 1968. He then worked with the Rivers State Civil Services, specifically the Ministry of Agriculture in the old Rivers State, from 1968 to 1971. After graduation, Edison transferred his service from the State Civil Service to Rivers State College of Science and Technology (later called Rivers State University), Port Harcourt. With the establishment of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria, he became a Chartered Librarian in 2005.
Career as a Librarian and Publisher
Edison rose to the position of Deputy Librarian at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he also taught book publishing in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Management Sciences. In 2000, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma was established by the then Governor of Bayelsa State, Late Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieseigha. Edison transferred his service from Rivers State to his home state and was appointed as acting chief librarian and later as substantive University Librarian in 2002 until his retirement in 2007.
Edison George Otuturu’s Achievements
Edison greatly contributed to the development of knowledge and library services in the Niger Delta region. Some of his achievements include:
- Member of the task force on the accreditation of the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University.
- Instrumental in setting up the Engineering Library, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt (1983).
- Major Nyananyo Memorial Library, Nembe (1987).
- Nembe National Grammar School Library (1987).
- Rivers Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (RIART) Library, Onne (1988).
- Reference Library, SPDC, Warri (1989).
- Bayelsa State House of Assembly Library, Yenagoa (1998).
- Niger Delta University Library, Wilberforce Island (2002).
Besides setting up libraries, Edison contributed enormously towards the development of professional librarianship in Rivers State and Bayelsa State. He served as Secretary of the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), Rivers State Branch, from 1975 to 1977; Vice Chairman, NLA Rivers State Chapter, from 1977 to 1979; Chairman, NLA Rivers State/Bayelsa State Chapter, from 1996 to 2001; and pioneer Chairman, NLA Bayelsa State Chapter.
Some of His Publications
Edison authored many books and contributed numerous articles to learned journals, such as:
- “How to Study Effectively” (Lagos: Mass Data Publishers, 1995).
- “Writing an Assignment: Some Pragmatic Guidelines” (Lagos: Mass Data Publishers, 1996).
- “Library Technical Services: From the Order to the Circulation Desk” (Lagos: Joebeinic of Publishers Nigeria Limited, 2001).
- “A Glossary of Publishing Terms” (Port Harcourt: Ano Publications, 2001).
- “Role of the National Archives of Nigeria in National Development” (1997) Vols. 2 & 3 Library Bulletin Nigerian University Library Systems 41-53.
Social and Traditional Life
Edison was a social activist and an astute administrator. He served as President of the Twon Youths Club (1982 to 1983); Chairman, Fund Raising Committee, Twon Improvement Union (1984); and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the National Republican Convention (NRC) Brass Local Government Area (1992 to 1993). In 2007, he was unanimously selected to occupy the stool of Chief Otuturu in Ada-Ama, Twon Brass and was later installed (chalked) as Chief Otuturu in 2010. He identified with the joys and sorrows of every family member and friend alike, attending all marriages, birth, and burial ceremonies by family members.
Edison George Otuturu’s Last Moments
After retiring from active public service, Edison enjoyed himself to the fullest by judiciously managing his pensions and gratuity. He went into the hospitality business and became an accomplished hotelier and proprietor of a multi-million Naira hotel complex at Twon-Brass called “All Is Well Guest Home” at Cameron-Ama, Twon-Brass Island. Edison wrote his will and gave strict instructions about how his funeral should be administered and how all his assets should be distributed.
He was full of life until his death in the early hours of Sunday, October 8, 2017. He was buried on March 23, 2018, at Cameron-Ama, Twon-Brass Island, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State according to the burial rites of the Nembe people. On July 4, 2018, at the State Registry Probate office, Bayelsa State High Court Ovom, Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu’s will was read.
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