Daniel Uzuazano Akporero (1930 – 2011)

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was a flawless Linguist that positively impacted the Nigerian education

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English Teacher, Clergy

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was a flawless Linguist that positively impacted the Nigerian education sector with his prolific style as a grandmaster of the English language and literature.

Synopsis

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero (1930 – 2011) aka Mr. English, hails from Ozoro community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. He was a consummate linguist, and grammarian who taught the English language in the 1960s at many schools in the Mid-Western region of Nigeria, and he was a pioneer author of Oral English Text Books in Nigeria. 
Resilient Rev. Daniel Uzuazano Akporero had a Masters in Educational Management from the University of Benin in 1998. 

He was a Reverend gentleman in the Lord’s vineyard, and he served diligently with his God-given talent as a Minister in the Church of God mission International. Till date, Daniel’s legacy is still etched at all levels of education in Nigeria – from the primary level to the tertiary level. Mr. English as fondly called died in 2011 at the age of 81. 

Early Life and Education

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was born in Ozoro town, southern Nigeria on 4 January, 1930, to Isoko parents who are predeceased (Mr. Nathaniel Akporero of Utuede community and Susana Ugbonermereo (Nee Akporereo)of Uruto community).

He had a good upbringing as his parents were Christians; although not wealthy enough to meet Daniel’s educational needs. He was a product of resilience and stiff determination at his tender age to get educated like his contemporaries. 

He attended his elementary school at CMS Primary School Ozoro Mid-west Nigeria in the late 1930s and got his First School Leaving Certificate.

Daniel did not attend any conventional secondary school at the time, probably due to his predicament of lack of funds by his folks. So, he adopted the slow winding teacher training route; He was at the Provincial Teachers College (P.T.C) and E.T.C Oleh from 1949 to 1953 and got his Teachers Grade III Certificate. 

Subsequently, he was at the St. Michael College Oleh and got the Teachers Grade II Certificate from 1957 to 1958. 

Still not contented, he proceeded to the Rural Education College, Anwai and got a distinction in his Teachers Grade I final exam in 1969 to 1963. 

He proceeded to the prestigious University of Ibadan from 1970 to 1975 and obtained a diploma in Theater Arts and also got a Bachelor degree in Arts (English Major); he made a second class upper division. 
At age 68, he was at the University of Benin and got a Master’s degree in Educational Management from 1984 to 1998. 

Finally, he was awarded Doctor of Divinity Christian Education in 1993 (Honorine) by All Nations Institute International, Benin, Edo state. In all his educational sojourn, Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was outstanding and he kept giant footprints on the sand of time.

Career

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero had a colorful and fulfill working career. Firstly, he was a primary school teacher in the Isoko nation, Delta state from 1950 to 1980 at the following places:

  • He tutored Atthe Teacher Training College, Igueben in Mid-west, Nigeria, 1976; 
  • Tutored at Imaguero Teacher Training College, Mid-west between 1978 and 1981;
  • He was at the Auchi Teacher Training College; 
  • he taught at the Western Boys High School, Oregbeni, Benin City, Mid-west; 

Thereafter, the Bendel State Service Commission appointed him Assistant Chief Community Development Inspector from 1982 to 1984; he was promoted a substantive Director in the civil service and posted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the old Bendel state in 1980 and retired meritoriously from the civil service on 28 December, 1986. 

Rev. Daniel Uzuazano Akporero mostly admired for his Phonetics and stands to be one of the best English teachers the Niger Delta has ever had.

Life after Retirement

When he retired, he was made Principal of Word of Faith Group of Schools (Private school), from 1986 to 1989. Subsequently, he was the Superintendent Sunday school and Bible School, Miracle Center, Church of God Mission, Benin City. 


Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Reward,-For-God~s-People

Colossians 3:23-24

Publications and Audio Narratives

Daniel Uzuazano Akporero wrote his first book on Oral English in 1976. He also published a number of books on linguistics as well as short stories, of which the best known are: 

  • Tales of our forefathers in 1980; 
  • Speech WorkBook for Junior Secondary;
  •  Speech workbook for Senior Secondary; 
  • Speech workbook for Primary School in1996; 
  • A book of short stories and poems for children; 
  • Oral English books & tapes for Primary, Secondary and Teacher Training Colleges; 
  • My kg 3 Reader (a three letter word reader); 
  • A book of 600 British English language idioms and what they mean; 
  • Speech work book for school certificate and GCE with test Orals; 
  • English language objective text for GCE and school certificate – Revised Edition 2009. 

Some of his Audio CDs include: Speech workbook for primaries 1 & 2, 3 & 4 with CDs, Video CDs of 42 television lessons on oral English, pure vowels, Diphthongs and Consonants. He was so proficient in English Phonetic to a point were scholars from the United Kingdom learned phonetics from his lips. 

He was on the television and radio media teaching Oral English to the Nation from 2001 to 2010. 

His Faith 

Daniel was a staunch Anglican in his early days and later repented in 1972 and joined the Church of God Mission International till his demise on the 4 July, 2011. He was active in the Lords vineyard, Archbishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory ordained him a Minister and also nicknamed him Mr. English due to his phonetic prowess. 

Afterwards, He was the National Sunday School Director for so many years and also a Marriage Counselor. For a while, he was the Secretary of the Church of God Mission Elders Council.

Family

Reverend Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was married to his heartthrob, Mrs. Florence O. Akporero, a retired Educationist of Delta State Civil Service. They both shared a fifty-five year of bliss and fun. They had Seven (7) children among whom are graduates of reputable professions. 

Sadly, Mrs. Florence O. Akporero passed on June 20, 2020. She was 82 years old. Besides his immediate family scope, he was also a benefactor to a lot of indigent children in his community whom he trained; many being graduates from reputable institutions. 

His Death

He apparently took ill of cancer-related illness in early 2011 and underwent some routine medical treatments at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, Edo State. Afterwards, Reverend Daniel Uzuazano Akporero aka Mr. English slept into eternal glory on 4 July, 2011. He was 81 years old.

Legacy

Reverend (Dr.) Daniel Uzuazano Akporero was a pioneer author of Oral English Literature in Nigeria. 

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Abalijay
"Timeless Persons" is a personal blog project created by me with the aim of sharing biographies of remarkable individuals from the Niger Delta region and beyond. The blog serves as a platform to captivate and stimulate your thoughts, encouraging reflection on the past, fostering a positive mindset in the present, and inspiring hope for a better future. Through the stories of great minds featured on the blog, readers are invited to delve into the lives and achievements of extraordinary individuals, drawing inspiration and insights that can be applied to their own lives. "Timeless Persons" strives to create an engaging and thought-provoking space for readers to appreciate the legacies and contributions of notable individuals, ultimately encouraging personal growth and a brighter outlook on life.

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