Lecturer, Politician, Elder Statesman
Late Dr. Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul was a towering figure among the founding fathers of Bayelsa State. His legacy in the educational sector of the Niger Delta stands as a testament to his dedication and vision. Known for his academic prowess and fervent passion for the creation and development of Bayelsa State, Dr. Isukul’s contributions were nothing short of legendary.
A Scholar and Mentor
Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul was a renowned Doctor of Chemistry who taught many great minds, including the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, at the University of Port Harcourt. His reputation as a brilliant educator and his dedication to his students set him apart in the academic community.
An Influential Figure
Born on June 19, 1942, in Kolo town, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Emmanuel’s early academic achievements were impressive. He excelled at the Kalabari National College (KNC) in Buguma, earning the best West African Examination Certificate result of his set. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Essex, Colchester, England, cementing his place as an academic luminary.
Trailblazer in Education
Dr. Isukul’s tenure as a Chemistry Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt in the late 70s saw him impart knowledge to many future leaders of the Niger Delta. His commitment to education was unwavering, and his impact on the academic community was profound. In the early 80s, he transitioned from academia to politics, where he served as a Technical Assistant and Commissioner in the late Melford Okilo’s Government in old Rivers State. His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) in 1982 and the Niger Delta University in 2000.
Career
As earlier narrated, Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul started his career as a Chemistry teacher at Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, from 1965 to 1967. In 1971, he was appointed Education Officer II in the Ministry of Education of Rivers State. The Ogbia Brotherhood, a Pan-Ogbia Ethnic body, proposed that he establish a new secondary school at Itokopiri in Ogbia. Accepting the challenge, he opened the school with a student population of about one hundred, despite the lack of resources. With the community’s support, he constructed temporary structures, serving as Principal, Teacher, and Housemaster. Despite initial reluctance from qualified staff to join, the school grew under his leadership until he left in 1975.
In 1976, Dr. Isukul joined the newly established University of Port Harcourt as a pioneer Chemistry Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. He taught many notable students, including Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Dr. Adias, and Dr. Tobia James. In 1979, Chief Melford Okilo, former Governor of old Rivers State, appointed him as an Assistant to Professor T.T. Isoun, the Governor’s Adviser on Science and Technology. Together, they laid the foundation for the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
In the same year, Dr. Isukul was appointed Honourable Commissioner of Health and a Member of the State Executive Council. Following Chief Melford Okilo’s re-election in 1983, he was reappointed as Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. However, the military coup led by Major General Buhari in 1983 resulted in his removal from office and subsequent imprisonment for about a year. Upon his release in 1984, Dr. Isukul ventured into private business, focusing on small-scale contracting.
In 1996, a boat accident during a contract expedition to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company NAOC Terminal in Twon-Brass left him bedridden with a fractured left thigh for three years. Despite this setback, he continued to contribute to the development of Bayelsa State. In March 2000, he was appointed to a committee by Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha to establish a state-owned university, resulting in the creation of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma.
Dr. Isukul also played significant roles in the Bayelsa State creation committee, the State Advisory Committee during Governor Alamieyeseigha’s regime, the Bayelsa State Prerogative of Mercy, and as Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayelsa State College of Arts and Sciences.
Contact with an Activist
After completing his training at the Federal Advanced Teachers’ College in Akoka, Lagos, Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul began his career at Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, as a Chemistry teacher in 1965. During this time, he crossed paths with the famous literature icon, human rights, and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was an English Language tutor at the same institution. Their paths crossed again when Isukul was a student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), where Saro-Wiwa was a literature lecturer.
Their relationship deepened during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967, as many non-Igbos from the Eastern Region migrated to their newly created states. Isukul and Saro-Wiwa escaped from the East to Bane (Saro-Wiwa’s village) and then to Lagos through Bonny in Rivers State. They disguised as fishermen and paddled through the creeks to Bonny island. However, upon reaching Bonny, Federal Government Soldiers arrested them, suspecting them of being Biafran spies. They were incarcerated for about a month until a schoolmate of Isukul at UNN heard about their detention and secured their release.
After their release, they journeyed to Lagos with the intention of joining the Nigerian Army. However, Captain Amangala advised Isukul to return to university to continue his studies. Saro-Wiwa later became the Administrator of Bonny and was appointed Commissioner of Education under Navy Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Military Governor of old Rivers State. Tragically, Saro-Wiwa was executed in Port Harcourt by Major General Abacha, the then Head of State, in 1995 for his activism.
Family and Faith
In 1968, Dr. Isukul married his heartthrob, Caroline, in the High Court of Ghana. Their union was blessed with four children—three boys and a girl. A staunch Anglican, Dr. Isukul’s faith remained central to his life until his death.
His Death
Dr. Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul faced prolonged illness, exacerbated by the boat collision accident in 1996. He passed away on October 6, 2018, in his hometown of Kolo, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to education and public service.
Dr. Emmanuel Azibaoloniyar Isukul’s life story is one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his community and country. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
