Edison George Otuturu (1941-2017)

Edison George Otuturu was an accomplished Librarian at Two (2) Universities in Niger Delta region of Nigeria

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A Librarian

Edison George Otuturu was a Librarian at Two (2) Universities in Niger Delta region of Nigeria since the early 1970s to 2007.

Edison George Otuturu’s Biography

Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu was an astute and proficient librarian born 13 July 1941, in Twon-brass Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State-Nigeria. He lectured at one time and also published. After retirement from University as Chief Librarian, he became a hotelier and later died of a cardiac arrest while attending a funeral at Nembe-Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State-Nigeria in 2017.

Early Life

Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu was born on 24th October 1935 at Twon Brass to Mr Erenfamokuma Otuturu and Mrs. Mary George Otuturu. He had a middle-class upbringing, and he was the first among his siblings. He did his Primary Education at St. Barnabas School, Twon Brass. He attended Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt-Rivers state for his post-primary education.

In 1971, Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu left for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for knowledge and advancement. He obtained the Bachelor in Library Science (B.L.S.) degree with 2nd class (upper division) and a graduate certificate in Education in 1974. He won the British council award prize for the best all-around final year students in B.L.S. at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in the 1973/74 session.

He later proceeded to the Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leics, England-United Kingdom, where he obtained a Master of Arts (M.A) degree in Library and Information Science in 1980.

Places Edison George Otuturu worked

Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu worked with Nembe County Council in the then Eastern Nigeria between 1964 and 1968 and thereafter he worked with Rivers State Civil Services precisely Ministry of Agriculture in the old Rivers state from 1968 to 1971.

After graduation, Edison transferred his service from the State Civil Service to Rivers State College of Science and Technology (later called Rivers State University), Port Harcourt. With the establishment of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria, he became a Chartered Librarian in 2005.

Career Librarian and Publisher

Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu rose to the position of Deputy Librarian at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt-Rivers State, where he also taught book publishing in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Management Sciences.

In 2000, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma was established by the then Governor of Bayelsa State, Late Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieseigha. Edison Atimiodiginyo George Otuturu transferred his service from Rivers state to his home state and was appointed an acting chief librarian and later a substantive University Librarian in 2002 till his retirement in 2007.Edison George Otuturu’s Achievements

He contributed greatly to the development of knowledge and library services in the Niger Delta region. Some of them are as follows:

  • He was a member of the task force on the accreditation of the faculty of law, Niger Delta University.
  • He was instrumental to setting up of the Engineering Library, Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt (1983);
  • Major Nyananyo memorial library, Nembe (1987);
  • Nembe National Grammar School Library (1987);
  • Rivers Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (RIART) Library Onne (1988);
  • Reference library, SPDC, Warri (1989);
  • Bayelsa State house of Assembly library, Yenagoa (1998); and
  • Niger Delta University Library, Wilberforce Island (2002).

Besides his setting up of libraries, He contributed enormously towards the development of professional librarianship in Rivers State and Bayelsa State. Edison George Otuturu was Secretary Nigeria Library Association, Rivers State Branch, from 1975 to 1977; Vice Chairman, NLA Rivers State Chapter, from 1977 to 1979; Chairman, NLA Rivers State/Bayelsa State Chapter, from 1996 to 2001; and pioneer Chairman, NLA Bayelsa State Chapter.

Some of His Publications

He has also authored many books and contributed many articles in learned journals such as follows:

  • How to study effectively (Lagos: Mass Data Publishers, 1995);
  • Writing an assignment; some pragmatic guidelines (Lagos: Mass Data Publishers, 1996);
  • Library technical services from the order to the circulation desk (Lagos: Joebeinic of Publishers Nigeria Limited, 2001);
  • A Glossary of Publishing Terms (Port Harcourt; Ano Publications, 2001) and
  • “Role of the National Archives of Nigeria in National Development” (1997) Vols. 2 & 3 Library Bulletin Nigerian University Library Systems 41-53.

Social and Traditional Life

He was a social activist and an astute administrator. He was President of Twon Youths club (1982 to 1983); Chairman, Fund Raising Committee, Twon Improvement Union (1984); and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the National Republican Convention (NRC) Brass Local Government Area (1992 to 1993).

In 2007, he was unanimously selected to occupy the stool of Chief Otuturu in Ada-Ama, Twon Brass and was later installed (chalked) as Chief Otuturu in 2010.

He identifies with the joys and sorrows of every family member and friends alike. He attended all marriages, birth and burial ceremonies by family members.

Late Chief Edison George Otuturu was a polygamist and had several children.

Edison George Otuturu last moments

After retiring from active public service, He enjoyed himself to the fullest because He judiciously managed his pensions and gratuity, Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu went into the hospitality business. He became an accomplished hotelier and proprietor of a Multi-million Naira Hotel complex at Twon-Brass called “All Is Well Guest Home” at Cameron-ama Twon Brass Island.

Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu wrote his will, and he gave strict instructions about how his funeral should be administered and also how all his assets should be distributed.

He was full of life until his death in the early hours of Sunday 8 October 2017. He was buried on the 23 March 2018 at Cameron Ama, Twon-Brass Island, Brass Local Government Area Bayelsa state according to burial rites of the Nembe people.

On the 4 July 2018, at the State Registry Probate office, Bayelsa State High Court Ovom, Edison Atimiodiginyou George Otuturu’s Will was read.

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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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