A Life of Service, Leadership, and Philanthropy
Early Life and Education
Born on May 24, 1924, in Nembe, Rivers State, Mr. Benjamin Ogapita Ayerite hailed from a noble lineage deeply rooted in Nembe’s Iwowari Group of Houses of Basambiri and Oborie’s family of Ogbolomabiri. His father, Mr. Fyneface Ayerite Okoroh, and mother, Mrs. Juliana Ada Ayerite (née Oborie) instilled values of discipline, resilience, and ambition in their son.
His educational journey began in 1932 at St. Luke’s School, Nembe, before transferring to Government School, Buea (British Cameroons) in 1935, under the guardianship of his uncle, Mr. E. B. Oborie. After completing his elementary education in 1938, he enrolled in Enitona High School, Port Harcourt, later switching to Duke Town School, Calabar, and then Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar. However, financial constraints in 1942 forced him to abandon his studies and pursue employment.
Career in Public Service and Telecommunications
Ayerite joined the Posts and Telegraphs Department (P&T) in 1942 as a Postal Clerk and Telegraphist, marking the start of an illustrious career. His commitment to education remained steadfast, earning his Senior Cambridge Examination qualification in 1947 while working at P&T.
His exceptional performance in telegraphic duties propelled him from First-Class Clerk to Assistant Postal Controller, eventually rising to Senior Assistant Postal Controller. Beginning in 1961, he attended several management courses overseas and within Nigeria, solidifying his status as an elite professional in P&T, which later became NITEL.
Ayerite served across various Nigerian cities, including:
- Lagos (1942–1945)
- Benin (1945–1947)
- Sapele (1947–1949, 1950)
- Burutu (1949)
- Auchi (1952)
- Kaduna (1953)
- Maiduguri (1955) – where he survived a ghastly motor accident
- Jos (1960–1967)
His fluency in Hausa and ability to integrate seamlessly into Northern communities earned him respect and affection from colleagues and locals. However, the 1967 Nigerian Civil War forced his relocation due to the pogrom against Southerners in the North.
Escape from War and Reentry into the Civil Service
Fleeing Jos alongside his brother, Ayerite traveled through Warri en route to Lagos, where he was wrongfully arrested by federal troops on suspicion of espionage. Fortunately, he was released upon proving his innocence.
At the time, the newly created Rivers State government was operating from Lagos, led by Commodore Alfred Diete-Spiff—his fellow Nembe kinsman. Through fate, Ayerite was reinstated into the civil service as an Administrative Officer, moving with the government to Rivers State after the war in 1969.
Rise in the Rivers State Civil Service
As one of the founding administrators of the Rivers State Civil Service, Ayerite played a pivotal role in laying its foundation. Over the years, he rose from:
- Administrative Officer to Under-Secretary
- Permanent Secretary
- Super Permanent Secretary, holding multiple high-profile government positions
His contributions spanned across various ministries, including:
- Ministry of Establishment
- Schools Board
- Ministry of Agriculture
From 1973 onward, he served as the Secretary of Rivers State Tender’s Board, where he played a critical role in awarding employment opportunities and contracts, becoming a benefactor to many. Through this position, he empowered numerous individuals, ensuring that businesses and professionals thrived under his guidance.
Additionally, Ayerite was sponsored by the Rivers State government to attend administrative training courses in the United Kingdom, further sharpening his expertise in civil service management. These experiences broadened his strategic outlook, allowing him to implement efficient governance practices in Rivers State.
During the Alfred Diete-Spiff administration, Ayerite, alongside other civil service elites—including F.S. Abrakasa, another Nembe-born Super Permanent Secretary—worked behind the scenes to ensure government success. His leadership, diligence, and foresight made him one of the most trusted minds in Rivers State governance. He retired meritoriously in 1983.
Entrepreneurial Pursuits and Philanthropy
Despite his government career, Ayerite was a visionary entrepreneur, establishing multiple successful businesses across different sectors. His ventures included:
✅ A Bread-Baking Industry, managed by his wife, which provided quality baked goods to the community.
✅ Timber Exporting Company (Niger Delta Syndicate), headquartered in Sapele, contributing to the region’s growing timber trade.
✅ Cashew Processing Firm in Port Harcourt, founded under his registered company Agro Base Nigeria Limited, strategically located in the Trans Amadi Industrial Axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This venture supported the agriculture and agro-processing industry, further cementing his legacy as a forward-thinking businessman.
His diverse business interests reflected his foresight, industry, and drive, ensuring economic growth and job opportunities for many.
His philanthropic efforts were vast, contributing immensely to the development of Nembe. He encouraged kinsmen to return home during leave periods, ensuring community solidarity. He was the first civil servant to construct a modern two-story building in Nembe within ten years.
A man of extraordinary public relations, Ayerite secured a land allocation from the Otaru of Auchi, where he built a rental property of eight rooms, further showcasing his business acumen.
His generosity extended far and wide, with many attributing their success to his mentorship, often declaring:
“Mr. B. O. Ayerite made me what I am today.”
Religious and Educational Advocacy
A devout Anglican Protestant, Ayerite played a critical role in church-building efforts, offering spiritual and financial support to Christian communities at home and abroad.
He deeply valued education, actively sponsoring and mentoring his younger relatives, leading to the emergence of:
🔹 University Lecturer
🔹 Marine Engineer
🔹 Tax Administrator
🔹 Lands Officer
🔹 Technical Instructor
🔹 Architect in the USA
🔹 Businessmen and Teachers
His children also followed his example, with four attending university at the time of his passing.
Personal Life and Legacy
Ayerite was a devoted family man, blessed with many children who distinguished themselves in various fields. His wife, Mrs. Ethel O. Ayerite (née Adukeh), was his unwavering pillar of support throughout his journey, standing by him through every triumph and challenge. She lived a full and remarkable life, passing away at the age of 83 in 2023, and was laid to rest on November 11, 2023, in Port Harcourt.
One of his most remarkable legacies was his residence at 1 Rex Lawson Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt—one of the most beautiful estates in Borokiri’s axis, where he retired and lived until his demise.
Final Years and Passing
On May 29, 1988, at the age of 64, Mr. Ayerite passed away due to kidney-related illness at Enugu Teaching Hospital.
His impact transcended generations, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in governance, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. His life was a testament to resilience, intellect, and service, ensuring his name remains etched in history as one of Nembe’s most distinguished minds.
Conclusion
Mr. Benjamin Ogapita Ayerite embodied the values of leadership, service, and vision. His rise from humble beginnings to government elite, entrepreneur, and philanthropist remains an inspiration for generations to come.
His dedication to governance, passion for community development, and commitment to education cement his immortal legacy in Rivers State and beyond.
