Evangelist, Proprietor, Politician
Petelian Derby Augustine Adoku Ndiomu, widely known as a church founder who steadfastly kept the faith, shepherded the Christlife Glorious Bible Church for over three decades.
Birth and Parents
Augustine Adoku Ndiomu was born on May 28, 1946, into the family of predeceased Chief and Mrs. Adoku Ndiomu of Gbekebor community, Odoni, in Sagbama Local Government Area. His mother, Mrs. Awowo, hailed from the Agbangu family, Freweribai Compound, Tambiri quarters, Agbere town, also in Sagbama Local Government. The Ndiomu family of Odoni community is renowned, including the late Major General Charles Ndiomu, former CEO of NIPSS, who was Derby Augustine’s uncle.
Education
Derby Augustine Ndiomu began his education at Local Authority Primary School, Odoni, earning his First School Leaving Certificate between 1955-1960. He attended Secondary Modern School, Agbere, from 1961-1963 but had to drop out due to financial constraints. Despite this setback, he pursued informal education in Technical Training, becoming prolific in welding and fabrication services.
In the mid-80s, he recognized the need to further his education and enrolled in various Christian educational institutions:
- All Nations for Christ Bible Institute, Benin City (1988-1991)
- Christian Ministries Institute, Port Harcourt (1988)
- North California Bible College, Study Center in Owerri (1988)
- Pilgrims Theological Seminary, Rivers State, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology (1991) and an honorary Doctorate degree.
Career Life
Widely known as “Daddy” among family and colleagues, Derby Augustine had a rich and varied career. After leaving secondary school in 1963, he joined the Niger Delta Basin Authority as a Survey Attendant in 1964 but soon moved to McDermott Nigeria Limited, where he worked as a Senior Foreman from 1964 to 1978. After 14 years, he transitioned to self-employment, establishing successful businesses like Dakdon Finance Limited (1978), Ekusi Bakeries (1980), and Dakdon Hotels Limited (1994). In 1997, he founded Bright Future Nursery/Primary School in Port Harcourt.
Derby Augustine also ventured into politics. In 1988, he was appointed a Board member of the Primary School Board, Sagbama. He served as Chairman of the Community Development Committee, Odoni, from 1985 to 1989, a position he held for 12 years. In 1992, he became the Financial Secretary of the Master Bakers Association, Old Rivers State.
Family Life
A doting father, Derby Augustine initially practiced polygamy but embraced monogamy after his conversion to Christianity in 1977. His devoted wife, Mrs. Etuatimi Ndiomu, was his heartthrob until his passing in 2023. Together, they had seven biological children who are thriving.
Christian Faith
Derby Augustine’s life was marked by his unwavering faith. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1977 at the Church of God Mission, Warri, under Papa Ayo Oritsejafor’s ministry. He was ordained a Deacon by Archbishop Benson A. Idahosa in the 80s and later served as an Elder in Eleme, Rivers State. In the late 1990s, he was commissioned to preach the gospel and established the Christlife Glorious Bible Church in 1993. The church flourished with branches in Rumueme, Diobu, Omoku, and Agbere.
Passing
Archbishop (Dr.) Derby Augustine Adoku Ndiomu passed away peacefully on February 9, 2023, at Noble Clinic, NTA Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He was 77 years old.
