Teacher Administrator
BIRTH AND PARENTAGE
Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo was born into the family of Mr. Baralagha and Mrs. Eteinmunu Tarinyo of Otuogidi town in the present Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on the 4th of November, 1938. He was the 3rd of 5 children.
EDUCATION
Young Iduabo started his primary education in the 1947/1948 academic year and was admitted into St. John’s Anglican School, Otuogidi. However, he had to move to various communities and attended different schools, such as St. Peter’s Anglican School, Opume between 1955 and 1956, St. Paul’s Anglican School, Otuokpoti, and St. Michael’s Anglican School, Oloibiri, where he concluded his primary education and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1958.
Thereafter, he continued his education at the Anglican Preliminary Teacher’s Training College, Oporoma, and obtained his Preliminary Teacher’s Certificate (PTC) after the mandatory practical teaching examinations at State School, Angiama, in 1959. He continued at the Anglican Elementary Training College, still in Oporoma, and obtained the Elementary Training Certificate after the practical teaching examinations at State School, Ekowe, between 1961 and 1962.
His passion for education led him to further his studies at the Methodist Teacher’s Grade II Certificate Training College from 1966 to 1967 at Umueze Awkunanaw-Agbani, Nkanu Local Government Area in present-day Enugu State. He was on track to obtain his Teacher’s Grade II Certificate, but fate dealt him a hard blow when the Nigerian Civil War broke out in 1967, and all schools were closed. This forced him to relocate back home.
After the civil war ended in 1968, and with the creation of new states, schools were reopened. Iduabo quickly resumed school to complete his Teacher’s Grade II program, this time at St. John’s Teacher’s Training College, Diobu, Port Harcourt, where he completed his teacher training in 1969 after the mandatory practical teaching examination at Community Primary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt. He then proceeded to the Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt, from 1972 to 1975 for his National Certificate of Education (NCE) degree, completing another practical teaching examination at Ascension High School, Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.
Still eager for more education and certification, Iduabo, armed with his NCE, gained admission to the University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History after completing practical teaching examinations at Jibril Martins Grammar School, Iponri-Ebute Meta, and Ansardin Girls High School, Itire, in Lagos State between 1977 and 1980. He then proceeded to serve his fatherland by participating in the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC), being posted to Ikpe Community Secondary School, Ibam Edet, Ini Local Government Area in the then-Cross River State (now Akwa Ibom State) for his primary assignment, which lasted from 1980 to 1981.
WORK/CAREER
Mr. Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo had a fulfilling career as an educationist. He began his teaching career in 1960 at St. John’s School, Otuogidi, in the present-day Ogbia LGA, after obtaining his Preliminary Teacher’s Certificate. In 1963, he was made Headmaster at St. Michael’s Anglican School, Fantuo, in present-day Brass LGA, after obtaining his Elementary Training Certificate.
Between 1964 and 1965, he was transferred to St. Michael’s Anglican School, Oloibiri in Ogbia LGA as a Classroom Teacher. Driven by his passion for learning, he continued upgrading his certifications while working. He returned to St. Michael’s Anglican School, Oloibiri, between 1968 and 1971, during which time he also served as the Games/Sports Master and the President of the Young Farmers Club.
In 1972, he was transferred to Mater Dei High School, Imiringi, in Ogbia LGA, as a Classroom Teacher, where he taught notable individuals, including Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria. He was then transferred to the Government Teachers Training College, Kolo, in Ogbia LGA, between 1975 and 1977, where he was later promoted to Vice Principal.
After graduating from the University of Lagos, he served in the NYSC at Ikpe Community Secondary School, Ibam Edet, Ini LGA, in Akwa Ibom State from 1980 to 1981. Upon completing his service, he was made the Vice Principal of St. John’s Teacher’s Training College, Diobu, Port Harcourt, from 1981 to 1982. That same year, he was transferred to the Government Teachers’ Training College, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, as the Vice/Acting Principal, serving from 1982 to 1984.
In 1985, he was transferred back to St. John’s Teachers’ Training College, Diobu, Port Harcourt, to teach a one-year program for trained uncertified teachers. Later, he moved to Government Secondary School, Borikiri, popularly known as “Njiko,” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he worked as a Senior Tutor from 1986 to 1988.
He was then transferred to Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, serving as Principal from 1988 to 1990. Afterward, he was transferred to Government Secondary School, Twon Brass, in Brass LGA as Principal, and subsequently to Nembe National Grammar School, Ogbolomabiri, Nembe, in Nembe LGA as Vice-Principal from 1991 to 1996. He also served as the Course Tutor/Supervisor for the Port Harcourt and Nembe Bassambiri National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Teacher’s Certificate (TC) II and National Certificate of Education (NCE) Study Centres between 1983 and 1996, when Bayelsa State was created.
He was then transferred to the Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board, where he attained the position of Supervisor/Director of Supervision, serving from 1997 to 2000 until his retirement from the Bayelsa State Civil Service. Additionally, he served as the Chief Custodian for the National Examinations Council (NECO) for Ogbia Local Government Area senior secondary schools in 2000. Throughout his career, he had a significant impact on many great minds in the Niger Delta, many of whom are doing excellently in their respective fields.
LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
After his retirement, Elder Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo remained active. With his innate ability to assess people’s behavior and character, he became known for his keen judgment and integrity. This unique skill, combined with his steadfastness and diligence, led to his appointment as Chairman of Oloibiri Customary Court, Oloibiri, Ogbia LGA, from 2003 to 2008.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Elder Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo met his wife, Roseline Itesobo Tarinyo (née Ikeni), fondly called ‘Anyi,’ a young woman from Akipelai and Otuogidi communities, at the Anglican Church in Otuogidi. They were married on the 17th of February, 1969, and remained married until his demise in 2023. They had 7 children together.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Iduabo was a staunch Anglican. He was known as a gentle church teacher at St. John Anglican Church, where his calm, quiet nature endeared many to him. He taught the Bible with such depth of knowledge and understanding, inspiring those who learned from him. He used his skill as a teacher not only to preach the gospel but to teach it.
SOCIAL LIFE
Elder Iduabo was a hospitable and accommodating man. His home was always open to relatives, in-laws, friends, and even the friends of his children. He exuded a friendly, courteous, and warm presence. He was deeply invested in the growth and development of his community. His home at No. 24 Captain Amangala Street, Port Harcourt, was the meeting point for the Otuogidi Progressive Association (OPA), where like-minded individuals gathered to discuss the progress of the community.
He was a good judge of character and could easily tell when he was being lied to. He was highly observant of his surroundings and could accurately assess the people he interacted with. He had a special way of making you realize your mistakes without scolding you. The only time you would feel uneasy around him was if you were guilty of something. He strongly believed in the power of conscience.
Iduabo had a deep love for nature and a clean environment. He tended to his plants like they were his babies, ensuring they grew well and did not allow anyone to pluck the fruits before they were ripe. He loved children and always took the opportunity to quiz them, testing their knowledge and learning what they didn’t know.
His favorite meal was beans porridge, and he enjoyed listening to reggae and country music, particularly Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Ras Kimono, Evi Edna Ogholi, and Don Williams. He was very particular about his appearance, preferring to wash
LAST DAYS
Elder Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo, a cheerful and hearty man, began experiencing health issues around 2018, which is common for his age. His health deteriorated gradually, and his children took him to the hospital several times. After a series of investigations, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often causing tremors. This disease took over Iduabo’s life and rendered him incapacitated.
Despite his illness, his wife and children took exceptional care of him until his passing. He died peacefully at home in the Opolo axis of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on the 19th of August, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 85 years old. Elder Samuel Iduabo Tarinyo will be interred on the 15th of December, 2023, at his community in Otuogidi.
