Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma (1959-2018)

He was an American trained academician who made enormous contributions to the development of vocational education in the Niger Delta for over three decades.

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Engineer, Lecturer

Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma was an American trained academician who made enormous contributions to the development of vocational education in the Niger Delta for over three decades.

Synopsis

Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma (1959-2018) hails from Ogoloma community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. Oraibi as fondly called had a Master’s degree in Vocational Educational at Pittsburg State University, United States of America (USA) and subsequently, he became a quintessential lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rivers State for about three decades and had supervised numerous vocational undergraduate projects at the college. He embraced Christ at the latter times of his life and was fulfilled. He died on 18 September, 2018 at the age of 59.

Birth Date and Place

Oraibi was born on 18 May, 1959 at Ogoloma town Eastern-Nigeria (now in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State)

His Parents and Early Life

His father was Mr. Hector Tamunotonye Goma of Fidika and Nangina families, Buokeme house of Owubiri, Ogoloma, in Okrika Local Government Area; Mr. Hector Tamunotonye Goma, unfortunately, died during the Nigeria civil war of 1967 to 1969. Oraibi’s mother was late Mrs. Violet Tamunowunari Goma of the Williams family of Ogu town in Ogu/bolo Local Government Area both in Rivers state. He was the first of three (3) children born to his parents. His aunt Mrs. Ibunge Alamina and her family apparently raised Oraibi in the late 1960s at Ogoloma town.

Oraibi’s Education

Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma had his primary education at Ogoloma township school, Ogoloma town in Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers state from 1965 to 1970 and got his First School Leaving Certificate. He proceeded to Government Comprehensive Secondary School (GCSS) Borikiri, Port Harcourt in Rivers State from 1970 to 1975 and got his West African School Certificate (WAEC) Ordinary Level. In 1977, he also attended the School of Basic Studies, College of Science and Technology Port Harcourt and got his General Certificate Examination (GCE) Ordinarily Level. He then went on to study Civil Engineering at the then College of Science and Technology (CST), and is now known as Rivers State University Nkpolu in Port Harcourt Rivers State and got his Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1981.

Studied in the USA

Afterwards, the Rivers State Government under Chief Melford Okilo administration gave Oraibi scholarship to study Vocational/Technical Education at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg in Kansas, United States of America (USA) and obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in 1987. He later pursued a Master’s degree programme at the same Pittsburg State University and got his M.Sc in Vocational Education in 1988. Lastly, he was a PhD in-view student at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education at Rumuolumeni in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

His Career

Oraibi had a gleeful career life. In 1981, during his mandatory National Service year (NYSC),Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma worked with an engineering company called Mariff Engineering Company which was based in Calabar, Cross Rivers State; he worked as a Site Engineer in the firm and he supervised construction works of the Federal Ministry of Works that the said firm was engaged in at the time.

Water Board and RSUST

Oraibi was a Higher Technical Officer (Water) at the Rivers State Utilities Board in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 1982 to 1984. Subsequently, he worked as Building Maintenance Officer (II) at the Center for Special Projects, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Nkpolu, Port Harcourt from 1984 to 1984. He was later, engaged as a technical consultant at the defunct Rustali Structural Engineering Company from 1988 to 1989; Rustali Structural Engineering Company was located at Plot 111, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout Port Harcourt at that time.

He Lectured At College of Education

Lastly, teaching was what Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma ever wanted his life, so he got a lecturing job in 1989 at the Rivers College of Education (now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education), Rivers State. Until his transition he was Lecturer I in the department of technical education. He lectured the following courses BTE: 422 Surveying, BTE: Soil Mechanics and Physical Geology and 311b: Curriculum Development in Vocational Education

His Family

Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma was married to late (Hon.) Pastor Agatha Goma (1964-2019) the on 22 August, 1992 and the couple went to have and raise Six (6) dutiful children together.

Oraibigoduko’s Faith

Firstly, Oraibi was born and raised as an Anglican. However, he was baptized at St. Peters’ Church Okrika on 6th September 1959 and his early Christian faith was nurtured at the St. James Church Ogoloma where he was once a member of the church’s choir. Subsequently, he got converted and joined the Hilltop International Christian Center at Rumukalagbor, Port Harcourt. Oraibi was zealous in the Lord’s vineyard, and one of such services he rendered was when he chaired the Church Building Project Committee; his civil engineering and administrative prowess found expression and the project was completed to the Glory of God.

He Re-baptized

On 10 November 200, he successfully completed the basic leadership training course at hilltop, which enabled his appointment to serve with the full authority of the church. Afterwards, on 24 November, 2002 he was ordained a deacon and re-baptized on 22 February, 2003 to the Pentecostal faith (Matthew 28:19-20 and Romans 6:4) at the age of 44. He was ordained a Pastor at the Hiltop International Christian center in 2010 thereabout, and served in the marriage counselling ministry.

Favorite Bible Scriptures Was

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,   fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrew 12:1-2

When He Died?

It was reported that Oraibigoduko Tamunotonye Solomon Goma became a victim of insulin dependent diabetes with which he grappled with till his death on 18 September, 2018. He was interred in his home town Ogoloma on 15 December, 2018. Oraibi was 59 years.

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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.