Elder B .Y. Ogon’s Platinum Jubilee and His Life’s Narrative
By Enideneze Etete – Parental care, brotherhood support, self-determination and above all destiny, are instrumental to the success of any person who envisions greatness and strives towards it unrelentingly.
This perspective succinctly captures the narrative of the life of Elder Bartholomew Yakieni Ogon, fondly called B. Y, or Bartho by the old and young.
Indeed, his life’s story from November 27, 1955, when he was born, to today that he has hit 70, placing him in the Septuagenarian class is a moment to cherish. His achievements and the grace of life God has accorded him, make this platinum anniversary worthy of celebration, even though he is not a birthday enthusiast.
A lad who exuded brilliance and wisdom from formative years of his life, B. Y, with the support of his parents and elder brother, late Chief Owen Zekieni Ogon, aka Z.O, Bartho was lucky to take elitist route to career. While farming was the dominant traditional occupation in the agrarian society he was born into, and an in era parents groomed children towards it, his brilliance made western education a compulsory path to follow.
Born of Elder Orlu Jones Ogon of Agudama-Epie and Madam Nadieni Orlu, NEE, Iburuku of Akenfa-Epie, all of blessed memories, Bartho’s parents committed resources from their farming and trading occupations to ensure his education.
He began early education in St. Luke’s School, Agudama-Epie, and later moved to primary schools in Sagbagreia, Opokuma, Amassoma and back to Agudama-Epie, where he finally obtained First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), in 1966. The frequent change of schools, was due to routine transfer of his elder brother, Chief Z. O Ogon, then a teacher. Chief Z. O (of blessed memory), took Bartho to live with him in every school he was transferred to. He also supported in footing the educational bills from then till varsity level, a gesture Elder B. Y relishes.
One incident that was to make or mare the young and ambitious Bartho’s educational career, was the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, which erupted in 1967. His FSLC got lost while he and his parents took refuge in the bush to escape the wraith of gun trotting soldiers.
Undeterred, he returned to St. Luke’s School, Agudama-Epie, to repeat primary six and obtained another certificate.
Soon after, he enrolled in Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) in 1969 and finished in 1973.
Thereafter, from 1974 to 1975, he had short stints in St. John’s Teacher Training College, Diobu, Port Harcourt, and College of Science and Technology, which later transformed to Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
To have a better stead in his future work career, he opted for university education. Thus, he proceeded to the premier University of Ibadan, Jos Campus, in 1975, becoming a pioneer student of what later became known as University of Jos (UNIJOS).
Young Bartho, graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Analytical Chemistry, in 1979, and did National Youth Service (NYSC) scheme in 1980. He became reckoned as the first homebred university degree holder in Agudama-Epie, a feat celebrated by his family and the whole community.
The analytical chemistry background was a channel to a lucrative career in the industrial sector, yet B. Y later took to education discipline, as he was already in the teaching profession.
In 1984, Bartho enrolled for, and obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1984/85 Session. Thereafter, he proceeded to University of Port Harcourt in 1985, for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Chemistry Education, which he bagged in 1991.
Soon after the mandatory NYSC he began teaching career in the old Rivers State, and later Bayelsa State, grooming young scientists. Not too long, the brilliant teacher rose to the positon of vice principal and later principal, one of the youngest in his time, and first principal in Epie Kingdom.
He served as vice principal in Mater Dei High School, Imiringi-Ogbia, later in St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata-Epie.
Thereafter, he became principal in Kaiama Grammar School; Community Secondary School, Agudama-Epie, where the likes of Senator Douye Diri, Professor Odingowei Kwokwo, Professor Tuemi T. Asuka (of blessed memory), among other great leaders were teachers during his leadership.
He later served as principal in Government Secondary School, Ogbia Town; River Nun Grammar School, Agberi-Odoni, and Community Secondary School Agbura-Atissa.
From 1991 to 1995, he held the position of Education Instructor for the first batch of NCE Distant Learning Center then at St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata-Epie.
He retired meritoriously as a Director in the Bayelsa State Post-Primary Schools Board on Super Grade Level 17, when he clocked 60 years of age.
A handsome, intelligent, dynamic and pragmatic fellow right from his youthful days, Bartho inspired formation of many social organizations and held leadership positions.
Among them are National Union of Agudama-Epie Students, which he was crowned Life President by latter generational leaders of the union; National Union of Epie-Atissa Students; departmental association of chemistry students while in UNIJOS, and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Bayelsa State chapter, as founding member and pioneer chairman in 1997.
He and his elite friends, for instance Elder Moses Francis, HRH Gospel Titus Akputakpu, late Mr. Kano Obele, late Mr. Adulphus Ogon, late Mr. Believin Amafien, late Tubonimi Titus and late Dr. Bob Wilson who breezed in from Germany occasionally, spearheaded formation of Agudama-Epie Progressive Union (APU).
The union, which later had other graduates as members, served as a think-tank to the community. As the light of the community, they were instrumental to drafting of the community’s first written constitution, which raised the bar for positions demanding literacy in the Chiefs Council. This brought educated elites on board the traditional leadership, with a mix of elders vast in the customs.
Bartholomew and his friends had since 1979 been committed to redefining traditional leadership for the progress of the community, advocacies which they began to realize in Chief Cornelius Walson’s era as paramount ruler.
The Agudama-Epie Progressive Union inspired young ones to aspire to become graduates and join the union. It was also instrumental to mapping and construction of earth streets in the community in mid-1980s, later constructed by Bayelsa State government on its creation.
Bartho and his friends, this time including Engr. (Capt.) Obed Ben Walson and Professor Udoji Jacob Dick (all of blessed memory), who had returned from America, formed another social organization. Known as Like Minds of Agudama-Epie, with this writer as its pioneer secretary, it aimed to catalyze human and physical development, but it was short-lived.
In Epie and Atissa Kingdoms, his contributions to progress went beyond his pioneering roles in student union activism on the platform of Epie-Atissa Students Union (NUEAS) and advocacies for a better deal for the ethnic group using the Ifieni Magazine.
In recent times, he was a focal agent in the General Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Shell/Agip Joint Ventures Intervention Projects in Epie/Atissa. Through his position as chairman/representative of the area, he ensured completion of projects, and won the admiration of the benefiting communities.
At the home-front, before, and on taken on mantle of leadership of the Ogon extended family, he has been providing direction for running of the family’s affairs, one of the outstanding families in the community.
Elder Bartholomew Ogon’s life’s narrative extends to business. He was a partner in Udamatoze Nigeria Limited, an indigenous firm, formed with his senior friends in Agudama-Epie, which handled and delivered building construction and renovation projects for government.
Bartho is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of his own firm, GO-On Investment Nigeria Limited Company, specialized in construction works and technological services. One of its major contracts is a school building project in Agudama-Epie, across Epie Creek, awarded by the Diri’s administration.
In politics, he has not contested election, but has been a key player in various political parties in different dispensations, and a stakeholder reckoned by political caucuses, most recently in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Born into St. Luke’s Anglican Church Agudama-Epie, where his parents worshiped God, B. Y Ogon was a member of the church for many years In the middle part of his life, he joined Apostolic Faith Church of Nigeria, which he pioneered a branch in Agudama-Epie, built and donated a church house to it.
He is married and has children, who are graduates and professionals in their different areas of calling, practicing within Nigeria and overseas.
Elder Bartholomew does not assert sainthood, but his strong points and achievements so far in life, are incontrovertible.
Though not a birthday enthusiast having done so only when he clocked 60, the Septuagenarian’s Platinum birth anniversary, today, is worthy of celebration, as family, friends and well-wishers, equally solidarize with him.
Happy 70th birthday and many happy returns, Elder B. Y. Ogon!
