Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan (1950-2010)

Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was an accomplished Administrative officer/Permanent Secretary of old Rivers state and Bayelsa state that rendered selfless services. He was best known as former Head of Service, Bayelsa state.

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Political Scientist, Lawyer, Administrator

Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was an accomplished Administrative officer/Permanent Secretary of old Rivers state and Bayelsa state that rendered selfless services. He was best known as former Head of Service, Bayelsa state.

Synopsis

He was a notable administrative officer of the public service in the Niger delta, Nigeria. A graduate of Political Science from the prestigious University of Lagos was Mr. Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan and relentlessly, he graduated with a Law degree at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. The Ekeremor born Permanent secretary, attained the zenith of the civil service career as he was appointed Head of Service Bayelsa state. He was overly, misconstrued by many. Dr. Barr. Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan died five months after his retirement from civil service in 2010 at the age of 60.

Birth and Parents

Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was born on the 8th day of march, 1950 to the union of Pa Tuayeringhan Ebimoghan and Mrs Bomoundiere Ebimoghan (nee Omukoro) at Ekeremor town, headquarters of the present Ekeremor Local Government Area formerly in Mid-west Nigeria but now in Bayelsa state.

Education

He had his primary education at Local Authority (LA) Primary School Ekeremor between 1958-1963.

Thereafter, he proceeded for his Ordinary Level School certificate between 1964-1968 at St. Brendan’s Grammar School Bomadi which later metamorphosed into Bomadi grammar school, Government College, and presently it’s government mixed secondary school, Bomadi in Bomadi local Government of Delta state-Nigeria.

Upon completion of his Secondary education, young Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan went to famous Urhobo College Effurun for his Higher School certificate programme (1969-1970).

His quest for academic laurels led him to the University of Lagos, Akoka where he bagged a First Honours Degree in Political Science (B.Sc) between (1971-1975).

In addition, between 1990 to 1994, he studied Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) and bagged LL.B. He went to law school Lagos and was called to Bar in 1996.

Also in 1999, He was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies, Kuru-Jos, Plateau State and qualified as Member National Institute (mni).

In 2000, He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (Ph.D) a Doctorate award from Carolina Christian University, Campus of Pilgrims Seminary, NC, USA upon the approval of the credential by the Senate and enviable achievement and services to God and humanity.

In 2009, bagged a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration at the Imo State University, Owerri, Imo state.

He did his compulsory National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in Kano State between 1975–1976.

Career Life

After his graduation, he was employed by the old Rivers State Government as a Social Welfare Officer with the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Welfare, Port Harcourt (1977-1979).

As He then was, he steadily climbed through the ranks in old Rivers state civil sector:

From 1979 to 1983

  • Assistant Secretary II in the Cabinet Division;
  • In Works Directorate;
  • Secretary, Rivers state’s Tenders Board, Governor’s office;

Between 1984-85

  • Assistant Secretary I, Ministry of Education; and
  • Secretary, Murtala Mohammed Civic Center Management Committee, Port Harcourt

In 1996

  • Secretary, Sports Council,
  • Administrative Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural resources;
  • Secretary, Chieftaincy Division, Governor’s officers;

From 1986 to 1987

  • Chief of Protocol, Military Governor’s officers

1987-1989

  • Secretary, Special Public Works Committee, National Directorate of Employment;
  • Secretary, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation

1990

  • Administrative Secretary Grassroots Democratic Party Khana/Oyibo LGA;
  • Assistant Director, Ministry of Information and Culture

1991-1992

  • Assistant Director, (Personnel) Government House, Port Harcourt;
  • Pioneer Sole Administrator, Ekeremor Local Government Council;

1994 –1996

  • Private Secretary and Deputy Director (Personnel) Government House;
  • Deputy Director, Governor’s Office Port Harcourt

Subsequently, in 1996 precisely October 1st, Bayelsa state was created out of old Rivers state and he transferred his service to his home state.

He started out as the pioneer Director-General Establishment Training and Pension Bureau, Governor’s Office, Yenagoa from 1996-1998.

Thereafter, between 1998 to 2001, he was made Permanent Secretary and he served at the following Ministerial and Departmental Agencies:

  • Local Government Service Commission;
  • Management Welfare Services, Governor’s office;
  • Ministry of Environment.

Ultimately, he was appointed by merit as Head of Service, Bayelsa state in June 2002. Barr. Dr. Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was the fourth Head of Services of Bayelsa state. During his reign as Head of service he judiciously and meritoriously served three (3) Executive Governors, which were late Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Chief Timipre Sylva.

He retired meritorious on the 8 of March, 2010.

Memberships/Awards

  • Institute of Administrative Management 1989
  • Nigerian Bar Association 1996
  • Fellow the Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria
  • Award of excellence by the Institute of corporate administration of Nigeria for outstanding performance in public service
  • fellow internal association for impact assessment Nigeria
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria

Places Lived

Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan once stayed at the following addresses:

  1. No. 4a Isaac Boro street Old G.R.A Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
  2. No. 7 Station Road Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
  3. Old Agric quarters Ovom-Yenagoa. Bayelsa state now Peace Park.
  4. Flat 29 Ovom Estate, Yenagoa. Bayelsa State,
  5. D 25 Commissioner Estate now Opolo Housing Estate, Yenagoa-Bayelsa state.

Family and Faith

Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was married to Mrs Ester Mayuku Ebimoghan (nee Seiyefa) in 1978 and they had children together. He was a Catholic by faith.

When He died??

Sadly, he died 5 months after his retirement from the civil service due a fatal motor accident along the Isiokpo Port Harcourt highway, Rivers state while hurrying to catch-up a scheduled flight at the Port Harcourt international airport for his planned vacation abroad.

Misconception

On his appraisal in general, he was unloved by many of his colleagues (administrative officers and few permanent secretaries alike of Bayelsa state). They misconstrued him to be highhanded and an extreme stickler.

The truth be told, late Marsh Sylvester Amafaotu Ebimoghan was far from such unfounded perceptions; he was a core administrator par excellence that appreciated professionalism in running government business. What he wanted, then from his subordinates, especially administrative officer in his jurisdiction were productivity, meticulousness and proficiency as against indulgence and obvious administrative negligence. But unfortunately, many of them couldn’t keep-up with his perceived standards in doing the government job. That was primarily the reason he was being crucified overly.

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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.