Teacher, Accountant, Elder Statesman
Newton Amie Aron Igali was from the Eniwari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was a highly qualified and certified accountant from the Niger Delta who worked assiduously towards the development of Nigeria’s financial sector.
He was a quintessential gentleman and elder statesman who made a significant mark in the financial sector of Nigeria. The late Newton Amie Aron Igali was notably the first Bursar at the Rivers State College of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University).
Who Was Newton Amie Aron Igali?
Born on July 27, 1926, in the Eniwari community, Yenagoa district (formerly part of Eastern Nigeria, now Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State), he was a dutiful teacher and headmaster at several schools in the Niger Delta. He later qualified as an accountant in the United Kingdom. In the 1970s, he became a prominent figure in the financial sector of government agencies in the old Rivers State. Newton Igali was no mere accountant; he was a role model in the accounting profession in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta. His sterling qualities inspired many to pursue careers in accounting. Most importantly, he remained untarnished by scandal throughout his public life, living a fulfilled life while empowering the Ijaw nation. Newton Amie Aron Igali, a fine gentleman and staunch Anglican, passed away in 2012.
Parents/Birth
Newton Amie Aron Igali was born on July 27, 1926, into the families of Mr. Aron and Clarice Igali, both from the Eniwari community in the former Eastern Nigeria (now Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State). It is recounted that he was the first child to survive after several failed pregnancies and stillbirths that his mother endured. His father thus named him “Amiepamoyefa,” which in Ijaw means “nothing could thwart his destiny.”
Mr. Aron Igali, Newton’s father, was a pioneer of Christianity among the Bomo people of the Ijaw ethnic group. History also recounts that Aron Igali was a renowned wrestler, continuing the Ijaw tradition of champion wrestlers. This legacy has continued, with his younger cousin, the late Chief Pater Brigidi (father of the late Senator Brigidi), becoming a wrestling champion both in Ghana and Nigeria. Additionally, Hon. Daniel Baraladei Igali has earned international recognition as an undefeated Commonwealth, Olympic, and World Champion. He is currently the Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Bayelsa State and President of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria.
Education
At the age of nine, Newton went to live with his uncle, the late Mr. Mathew Ogbianaowei, and started his education at St. John’s School, Eniwari. Sadly, Mr. Ogbianaowei passed away in 1939, and young Newton returned to his parents.
In a time when most parents preferred traditional occupations over formal education, Newton’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aron Igali, were strong advocates of education. In 1939, they sent him to St. James’ School, Ekowe, the headquarters of Bomo clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. During the Second World War, Newton had to return home due to widespread epidemics, but after the war, he resumed his education and completed his primary school education in 1944. He then proceeded to St. Stephen Primary School, Amassoma, in 1945, where he completed Standard Six and obtained the First School Leaving Certificate.
Pupil Teacher
After completing his primary education, Newton was employed as a teacher and posted to Oporoma, the administrative town of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (now the Local Government Headquarters), from 1945 to 1946. In 1947, he was transferred back to St. Stephen’s Primary School, Amassoma, as a teacher.
Seeking further education, Newton attended St. Michael’s Anglican College, Oleh, in Western Nigeria (now Delta State) for his Grade III Teachers’ Training from 1947 to 1949. After completing the Grade III program, he was posted to St. Peter’s School, Yenagoa, as a Grade III teacher. Not satisfied with his qualifications, he went to St. Paul’s Anglican College, Akwa (now in Anambra State) from 1952 to 1953, where he obtained the Senior Cambridge and Higher Elementary Certificates. Upon his return, he was posted as headmaster to the Proctor Memorial School, Kaiama.
From 1957 to 1958, Newton attended Teacher’s Training College, Okodia. Later, in 1959, he was transferred to St. Nathaniel’s Primary School, Otuan, as headmaster.
His Family
On June 4, 1954, at Kaiama, Newton married his sweetheart, Fanny, the daughter of late Mr. Tumoi and Mrs. Helena Yogo, both from Oporoma town in Southern Ijaw L.G.A. of present-day Bayelsa State. Fanny was 17 years old at the time, and they remained married for 58 and a half years until his death.
Newton and Fanny were blessed with nine children, three of whom died at tender ages. The six surviving children are: Mrs. Ebidei Kumuokou, Dr. Miepamo Igali, Amb. Dr. Boladei Igali, Mrs. Timidi Agada, Ms. Kuroakegha Igali (twins), and Mr. Iyegoe Igali.
In line with Ijaw customs of his time, Newton had three children outside of wedlock: Mrs. Ebieri, Mrs. Inegbegha Sims, and Mrs. Tari Udo-Davies. Fanny Igali raised all her stepchildren as her own, uniting the entire family in love and oneness. Fanny, a virtuous woman, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2022, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
His Legacy
As a teacher, Newton was meticulous, thorough, and cheerful, insisting on excellence. He inspired many people to value hard work, discipline, and self-reliance. Several of his students went on to become icons in their respective professions. Notable among them are: Hon. Justice K.D. Ungbuku (the late Chief Judge of Old Rivers State and Bayelsa State), HRM King Igodo of Atissa, HRM King Kikile of Yenagoa, HRH King Brutolu of Kaiama, the late Chief Taribi, General Maxwell Appah, Prof. Angaye, Prof. Buseri (former NITDA Boss), Prof. Stephen Odiowei (former VC, Rivers State University of Science and Technology), Chief Bukazi Etete, Chief Dauziah Etete, Elder A.O. Egberipou (former Permanent Secretary, Old Rivers State), Dr. P. Egbenbau (business mogul), among others.
Contemporaries/Mentors
Among his colleagues and lifelong friends were Emmanuel Ebisco, Melford Okilo, and Temeketin, all of blessed memory. His mentors in the teaching profession included (Rev.) Bishop Dimieri and the veteran Pa (HRM) King Fredrick Agama (father of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke).
Political Stint
Newton’s foray into politics was brief. In 1956–1958, he was elected as a councilor in the Brass County Council, serving alongside Chief Melford Okilo. Despite attempts to involve him further in politics, Newton preferred to support and sponsor grassroots politicians, offering his advice, especially on the management of resources.
Accounting Profession
In 1960, following Nigeria’s independence, Newton moved to Lagos and continued briefly as headmaster in schools in Ebute Meta and Ajegunle. From 1960 to 1961, he served as headmaster in schools for Ijaw people and minorities in Ajegunle, Lagos, where late Chief Odumgba of Yenagoa was his ‘Second Master.’
Newton later transitioned into accounting. In 1961, he applied to the United African Company (U.A.C.) in Lagos, where he was employed as a publicity manager. From 1963, when the Federal Government offered foreign scholarships, he was awarded a scholarship and proceeded to Glasgow, Scotland, to study accountancy. He completed his professional course (ACCA) in 1969 in London, worked briefly as an accountant in London, and returned to Nigeria in December 1970.
While in the UK, Newton was actively involved in the Ijaw People Union and the Rivers State Association, playing a key advocacy role in the creation of the old Rivers State. He held the following positions:
- 1962–1966: Secretary, Ijaw Union, UK
- 1967–1969: Vice President, Rivers State Union, UK
- 1969–1970: President, Rivers State Union, UK
Prolific Accountant
Upon his return to Nigeria, Newton’s professional qualifications were highly sought after in the young Rivers State. He was employed as Chief Accountant in the Rivers State Transportation Corporation (RTC) from 1970 to 1972, working alongside Chief S.N.A. Uzor, who was the General Manager. Together, they significantly contributed to the success of the transport corporation.
In 1973, Newton moved to the newly established College of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) as the Bursar. In 1976, he left the public service and entered private accounting practice, founding Mie Igali & Co. (Chartered Accountants in 1978. He later teamed up with Otunba Dele Dina to form Dele Dina & Co., where he was responsible for managing the firm’s operations in the northern regions of Nigeria.
A Fellow
In 1981, Newton became a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). After the death of Otunba Dina, he returned to re-establish Mie Igali & Co., with branches in Maiduguri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt. In 1996, following the creation of Bayelsa State, he co-founded Amiebi Igali & Co. with his professional colleague, the late Chief Charles Amiebe. He continued to lead the firm as managing partner until his health began to decline.
Christian Life
Newton was a devout Anglican. He was baptized at St. John’s Anglican Church, Eniwari, alongside his childhood friend, the late Chief John Atte (father of Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, John Atte). He was confirmed at St. James’ Anglican Church, Ekowe, in June 1943. Throughout his life, Newton remained closely associated with the Anglican Church, serving as a lay preacher and holding leadership roles in churches in Maiduguri and Port Harcourt. Later in life, he was also a regular worshiper at the Deeper Life Church, to which his beloved wife belonged.
Death Date
Pa Newton Amie Aron Igali passed away on September 22, 2012, at the age of 86, due to natural causes.
