Capt.
(Rtd) Samson Oisaimoren Ehiede was born on the 15th of January, 1938.
He was the third child and the second son out of five children all born to late
Chief and Mrs. Ehiede Obokhuai. His father, Chief Ehiede Obokhuai was a
successful and major cocoa farmer in the old mid-western region with a lot of
hectares of cocoa plantation that were sold for exports. His mother, Ikpabo Ehiede
nee Otuogbai was the second child and first daughter of seven children born to
Simeon Otuogbai Afekhide. Simeon Otuogbai Afekhide brought Christianity to Otuo,
for which he was persecuted sent to Ifon, carrying the grinding stone on top of
his bare head all the way. After serving considerable jail time in Ifon, he
later came back to Otuo; continuing his missionary services before he died in
the early 70’s.
Daddy
had his early Education in St Stephen’s Anglican School, Otuo, from July 1944
to December, 1951. He gained admission to Holy Trinity Grammar School,
Sabongidda-Ora, and started his secondary education from January, 1952 finishing
with flying colours with the West African School Certificate, Division One in December
1957, which was awarded by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the
West African Examination Council. While in Holy Trinity Grammar School, he did
not only excel in academics but was the Class Captain from 1956 to 1957 and
graduated as the Senior School Prefect in 1957, a position he was always
remembered for by his school mates.
Daddy
later went to the prestigious King’s College, Lagos for his A’ Levels in January
1958 to December 1959 and was the Dormitory Captain throughout his stint in King’s
College, graduating with a University of Cambridge Higher School Certificate in
December 1959. From King’s College, he gained admission to the University of
Nigeria, Nsukka in October 1960 to study English and Literature graduating with
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Second Class Honours in June 1963. He was
the Bible Study Secretary of the Students Christian Movement from 1960 to 1962.
He participated in a lot drama, play wrights and theatre performing on stage throughout
his stay at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
On
the 20th of February, 1964, Daddy enlisted into the Nigeria Army and
was commissioned as a full Lieutenant in the Education Corps. He was then
seconded to the Nigeria Military School (NMS) Zaria where he reported for duty
on the 3rd of March, 1964 along with two other Education Corps
Officers. He began teaching English and Literature to forms III, IV and
Mathematics to form I.
On
28th April of 1964, Daddy went for an Intensive all-around Military
Training at the 2nd Battalion, Nigerian Army, Abeokuta. This was
entirely an infantry Battalion which regularly sent its companies on Day and
Night Bush Exercises. On the 7th of June 1964, the training Course
ended, Daddy returned to Zaria to find Officers, most especially the Education
Corps Officers, the men and the Boy Solders engaged in feverish preparation for
the inspection of the School by the Federal Ministry of Education Inspectors. The
Federal Government had decided to upgrade the Nigeria Military School to full
secondary school status with effect from 1965.
The
Inspectors spent three weeks before completing their assignment. Their Report
was favorable and the School was upgraded to full secondary school status from
January 1965. The next major challenges were for the Education Corps Officers
who taught the academic subjects in the school. They rose up to the challenge,
they taught out subjects methodically with enthusiasm from year to year to
students who were equally willing and most ready to learn.
The result was that the first NMS set enrolled for the November December. 1966 West African School Certificate Examination scored over 60% whilst the second NMS set enrolled scored over 97%, with eleven students in Grade I, fourteen students in Grade II, Eight Students in Grade III and one Failure. The students’ scores in the two subjects; English and Literature which Daddy taught had thirteen students getting A (Distinction), sixteen students with C (Credit), five students having P (Pass) and one Student having an F (Failure). Overall, the result was excellent and it is worthy of note that some of the students had flourishing careers in the military. Some of them if not all became the bulk of the quintessential Nigerian Defense Academy 3rd Regular. The list just to mention a few amongst others; includes but in no particular order; Brigadier-General David Alechenu Mark(rtd) GCON, Brigadier Jonathan Babatunde Ogbeha(rtd), Commodore Bola Moshood Babatunde(rtd), Major General Mufu Balogun(rtd), Brigadier-General Raji Alagbe Rasaki(rtd), Major General Yunana Nom(rtd), Rear Admiral Festus Bikepere Porbeni(rtd), Rear Admiral Isaac Areola(rtd), Major General Alwali Jauji Kazir(rtd) CFR, Major General Chris Abutu Garuba(rtd) CFR, Lt. General Samuel Victor Leonard Malu(rtd) CFR, Brigadier-General Adetunkji Idowu Olurin(rtd), Brig. Gen. I. Odeleke (Late), Vice Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe (Late), Major General Alabi Kareem Adisa (Late), Brig-General James Lasun Odeleke (Late).
These elite 3rd Regular Course in their kaleidoscopic wisdom made Daddy a functional honorary member of the 3rd Regular NDA Course. A continuing kudos to these esteem officers, gentlemen and Uncles for the honour and respect they all always accorded to Daddy throughout his life time and interactions with them.
In 1965, Captain S.O Ehiede (as he then was) was among the very senior officers who participated in the colorful pulling out parade of the last British Colonial General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) of the Nigeria Army General Everad.In 1967, Daddy retired as a Captain from the Nigerian Armed Forces he loved so much to start his working career in the public service.
He started work with the University of Lagos, Akoka from MAY 29TH 1967 until the 30TH of JUNE, 1968 as the Bookshop Manager. Daddy, having recognized the need for a manager-in-Training to master all the operations of a Book in all its Departments and Sections, he humbled himself to learn the skills of the shop-floor staff as well as to know the shop-floor layout and arrangement of books on shelves. From 12th of February to the 30th of April, 1968, Daddy attended the British Council Management Course on Bookselling and Distribution in London. He gained tremendous in-depth knowledge of the management of a General and University Bookshop. After the formal lectures ended in London, he then went on a three-week attachment at Bowes & Bowes Bookshop which, though privately owned, catered wholly and solely for the interests of Cambridge University Students.
Daddy was next sent on another three weeks attachment at the University of Liverpool Bookshop. These two attachments got him deeply involved in all aspects of the processing of student’s textbooks in two English University Bookshops. From 1st July, 1968 – 30th June, 1972 as Manager of the Bookshop, Daddy was able, with the sound training generated both locally and overseas in Britain, to consolidate and build on the solid foundation laid by the founding Manager and his pioneering management staff, of which he was one of Mr. Marshall’s Assistant and immediate Successor. The Bookshop which daddy left on the 30th June, 1972 has continued to flourish and to grow from strength to strength till date.
Daddy then had an interlude of 39 months in the Private Sector; firstly, as Warehouse Manager of Evans Publishers at Ibadan where he acquired the practical skills and knowledge of managing a Publisher’s Warehouse from 1st July, 1972 to 30th 1973; Secondly, as Administrative Manager of Longman Nigeria LTD, (a Publisher) from July 1st 1973 to 30th September, 1975, Here he had control over the Administration, Warehouse, Trade and Order Processing Departments. In February and March 1975, he was sent to the Head Office of Longman Group LTD (Owners of Longman Nigeria LTD) to study the operations of their partially automated warehouse system.
From October 1973 to Jan. 1974, daddy succeeded in persuading Longman Nigeria LTD and its Board to agree to transfer the Accounts of Longman Nigeria from the London office to Nigeria. A chartered Accountant was appointed Chief Accountant and within a short time, he had set up a fully functioning Accounts Department in Longman Nigeria which began to report monthly. Daddy got to know that the transfer of Longman Nigeria Account to Nigeria had placed him in the bad books of the powers that be in London; so he had to check out of Longman Nigeria on the 30th September, 1975. He then had to venture back to the public service sector.
Daddy, assumed duty on 1st of October, 1975 as the Manager of the University of Benin Bookshop which existed only on paper. He was undaunted, saw it as a challenge and his responsibility to build it up from scratch to a fully well-established University Bookshop of international standard within six months, drawing on his training, past experience in the Military, at the University of Lagos and during the interlude period in the Private sector at Evans and Longman Publish companies. He achieved a major milestone turning the Bookshop to a model that was eventually followed by other University bookshops.
Daddy’s service career at the University of Benin which spanned over two decades, saw him attend the following Professional courses and conferences;
- Management Course organized by the Booksellers Association of Great Britain & Ireland, held at Beeches College, Selly Oak, Birmingham UK in June & July 1976;
- Management Course on Bookselling and Bookshop Management, organized by the American Booksellers Association New York held in Colorado Springs, Colorado USA in March 1977;
- Management Seminar, Organized by National association of College Stores Inc. (NACS), Oberlin, Ohio, held at Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA in March 1977;
- Advance Management Seminars, organized by NACS, held at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA, in June and July 1983 respectively.
Note: these were additional to the British Council Course and the House-training Course he had attended in London in 1968 and 1975 respectively.
- Conference of West African University Booksellers Association, held at University of Ghana, Legon from January 11th – 13th, 1979 where daddy presented a paper titled “THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOPS IN AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES’’.
- General Assembly of the International Booksellers Federation (IBF), held in Utretch, the Netherlands, May 16th – 19th 1983, He presented a report on the Bookselling Scene in Nigeria from May 1982-April 1983.
- THE VII INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF
BOOKSELLERS, held in Toronto, Canada, May 13th – 17th,
1985. The Theme of the Congress was COPING WITH CHANGE, that was already
staring everyone business in the face due to the economic recession which led
Nigeria into SAP on 26th September, 1986.
While
in the University of Benin, Daddy became a pioneer in the establishment of
University Bookshops for Tertiary Institutions. The first call came in mid-1978
from the provost of College of Education Abraka. The invitation was for UNIBEN
Bookshop to operate a Branch of its Bookshop for the benefit of their students
in a facility to be provided by the College. As soon as the modalities for the
operations had been agreed upon by the Administration of the two Institutions,
the management of UNIBEN Bookshop began active preparations which enable the
Abraka Branch of UNIBEN Bookshop to commence operations at the commencement of
the 1978 -1979 academic session. The creation of Edo and Delta State out of
Bendel State ended the operation at Abraka. However, another opportunity came
to UNIBEN Bookshop in the middle of the 1989 – 1990 academic sessions to become
involved in establishing the University of Abuja Bookshop at Gwagwalada
temporary Campus of the University before the end of the 1989 – 1990 sessions.
The Invitation had come from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin who
gave her approval to the project.
As
soon as the Administrations of both Institutions reached agreement on the
modalities for the running of the Bookshop, Daddy swung into action and got the
Bookshop fully functional before the University of Abuja formally opened
officially for the 1990 – 1991 session. Part of he’s responsibility was to
train the Manager and his staff in the skills needed to perform the varied
functions in the different Departments and Sections of the Bookshop. At the end
of the one-year contract, he handed over the Bookshop to a manager who had been
well trained and staff who had mastered the skill to function most efficiently
in running the Bookshop. There was joy and satisfaction on all sides. The Bookshop
has grown from strength-to-strength ever since.
In
the course of Daddy’s Service Career at the University of Benin, beginning from
1st October, 1975 to the 15th of January, 1998, the
University gave him three Special Assignments. Appointment as Sole
Administrator of Security Department which was from December 24th,
1986 to July 22nd 1987. Apart from serving continuously throughout his
service years at the University of Benin as a Member of the University Security
Committee, he also served as a Member of several TASK FORCES ON SECURITY set up
by the University from time to time. Then on 24th December, 1986 the
then Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Grace Alele Williams gave him additional
responsibility by appointing him SOLE ADMINSTRATOR of the University’s Security
Department. This sensitive and exerting responsibility was given at a critical
time when the spate of thefts on the two Campuses of the University had assumed
very alarming proportions. At the end of this unique assignment on 22nd
July 1987 following the assumption of duty of the new substantive Chief
Security Officer, the Registrar, on behalf of the University, commended Daddy
for his efforts which went a long way in eliminating the high rate of crime on
the both campuses, Ekenwan and Ugbowo.
Again,
when the University was confronted with leadership problem in the Security
Department, Daddy was appointed Head of Security (CSO) with effect from 16th
January, 1998. During the twenty-nine months he spent as the Head of Security, he re-organized the Department, strengthened its modus-operand; trained the officers, the rank and file to be properly re- focused as regard their loyalty to the University and its symbol of Authority, irrespective of who the Vice-Chancellor was.
Daddy got the Administration to provide the department with modern telecommunications equipment, vehicles (cars and motors cycles) for quick and effective information transmission as well as fast mobility; new uniform and other vital security accessories. For the very first time, the security department had Motorola base station and walkie-talkies for patrol and effective communications. Again, the pioneering virtue was at play, within three months of his assumption of duty, the high rate of voluntary retirement/disengagements from service, malingering, abandonment of duty and service dropped drastically. The staff were given a new orientation in their attitude to duty, staff and students, thus, giving the Department a new favorable image. The result is that by the time of his disengagement on 31st May, 2000, the Officers, the rank and file had begun to feel proud to be staff of the UNIBEN Security Department. A new dawn had been ushered into the Security Department despite his brief reign of leadership.
It is worthy of note that as a pioneer member and constant serving member of the University Security Committee from February 1976 to 31st May, 2000, Daddy was indeed a lodestar and rare iconic integral figure in the University’s architectural structure.
In the course of Daddy’s career service at the University of Benin, he was called upon three times by the Federal Government of Nigeria to render Special service to the Nation.
In January 1982, Daddy received a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos appointing him as one of the FIVE OFFICIAL DELEGATES to represent Nigeria at the UNESCO WORLD CONGRESS ON BOOKS Holding in London from June 6th– 11th 1982. Daddy was also directed to prepare a PAPER on any topical or problem area of Nigerian’s educational system, with Advance Copies delivered to the Federal Ministry of Education and UNESCO’S Nigeria before 30th April 1982.
In the early October 1982, Daddy received a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education Lagos, appointing him a MEMBER of the PLANNING COMMITTEE to plan for THE FIRST NIGERIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS ON BOOKS scheduled to hold in Lagos from March 21st -25th, 1983. As the PLANNING COMMITTEE was completing its assignment, he was directed from above to stay on as the BUREAU or STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE CONGRESS.
By a letter dated 31st May, 1984, Daddy was once again informed of the appointment by the Hon. Minister of Education, Science and Technology as a MEMBER OF A TASK FORCE to look into the problems of the scarcity of books and stationery in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations to Government for an immediate solution to the pressing problem of non-availability of books and stationery for the 1984/1985 school year.
By these three National Assignments, Daddy became the first among University Bookshop Managers to be so appointed. Thus, he became a trail-Blazer a “primus inter pares” of no mean repute.
Right from Daddy’s secondary school days, he always took part in effort and programmes aimed at the enlightenment of the Otuo Community with regards to the current Social-Political issues of the day such as census, voters’ registration and active participation in politics. He joined and lead delegations of Otuo Community elites abroad to sensitize and enlighten Otuo people back at home on the need to take part in all of the above mentioned social political activities. He made bold to assert that the massive participation of Otuo people in the entire political process was complete and total.
For instance, due to the effectiveness of Daddy’s encouraged enlightenment and political sensitization of Otuo people in Wards 8 and 9 the vast majority of the people registered massively with the UNITY PARTY OF NIGERIA (UPN) which ruled Bendel State with Prof. Alli as Governor as well as our Owan East LGA from October,1979 to September,1983. Also, in 1990 due to the continuing influence, the overwhelming majority of Otuo people in wards 8 and 9 registered massively with Social Democratic Party (SDP) which controlled the Edo State Government with Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as Governor and Hon. Ambrose Imoode as Chairman of Owan East LGA Council. In 1999, due to the same influence, the people also registered massively with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which controlled Edo State with Lucky Igbinedion as Governor from 1999-2007, while Owan East LGA Council was also controlled by PDP for the same period.
It is to be noted that Daddy was a Board Member of the Edo State Council for Art and Culture from 2001 to 2003. His professional qualifications are summarized below;
- Certificate in Bookselling & Book Distribution (British Council, London, April 1963)
- Certificate in Bookselling (American Booksellers association, New York. Feb 1977).
- Diploma in College Stores Management (National Association of College Store Inc. Oberlin, Ohio, USA. July 1983)
He was associated with the following professional bodies Associated;
- Member & President: University Booksellers Association of Nigeria: June 1981 – August 1984.
- Member & President: Nigeria Booksellers Association from January 1985 – 1989
- Member: National Association of College Stores, Inc. USA from March 1977 – July 1996
- Master Bookseller-Highest Grade of Individual Membership of the Booksellers Association of Great Britain & Ireland since 1983.
- Representative of the University Bookseller Association of Nigeria in INTERNATIONAL BOOKSELLERS’ FEDERATION May 1984 – May 1985.
- Member: Nigeria Institute of Management, November, 1990 (MNIN)
As a family man, he was married to Mrs. Eunice Adenike Ehiede (nee Johnson) in mid-1965 but the marriage ended in a divorce in 1971. Fortunately, the marriage was blessed with three boys: Ohiozoba, Ohioma and Ailoje.
Afterwards, Daddy got married to Mrs. Beatrice A. Ehiede (nee Esangbedo). The marriage ended after fourteen years with her passing on to glory in 1990. She was fondly called “Auntie” and May her gentle lovely Soul continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord, in Jesus Mighty Name.
Finally, Daddy got wedded to Mrs. Clara A. Ehiede (nee Okhamafe). This marriage is blessed with four children; two boys and two girls. They are Adegbeaye, Imoudume, Omokhoje and Obofoni. They lived happily married for over thirty years until Daddy’s transition on the 13th of February, 2021.
Daddy was a devout Christian throughout his life time. He was one of the pioneer members of the All-Saints Anglican Church, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City. He was equally one of the founding fathers of Otuogbai Memorial Anglican Church (OMACO), Otuo, Owan East Local Government, Edo State.
Daddy loved reading books, being an intellectual, he enjoyed travelling both locally and internationally where he would confidently display his geographical prowess either overseas or local. He once embarked on a road trip in the late 70’s with his three boys from Benin to Zaria driving personally through Ilorin, kotangora, Abuja all the way to Zaria. A memorable trip for everyone as he got to spend time with his bossom friend and family, Late Major General Charles Ndiomu, who was the then Commandant of the Nigeria Military School, Zaria.
Daddy loved taking walks at a later age and jogging daily when he was much younger in wherever environment he found himself. In his early years, he loved playing lawn-tennis, football and was an avid swimmer. He was a natural sportsman and enjoyed all forms of sports encouraging his children likewise. He was a music lover having a wide range of music collection from different genres and artist but to mention a few; James Last, Candi Staton, James Brown, Barry White, UB40, Top of the Pops, Diana Ross, Bob Marley, Mano Di Bango, Isley Brothers, Isaac Hayes, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff, Osibisa, Ofege, the Supremes, Temptations, Luciano Pavarotti, Hendel Messiah, Bee Gees, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, ABBA, Roberta Flack, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Jimmy Reeves, Louis Armstrong and a host of others.
He lived a fulfilled life to the glory of the Almighty God as a Son, Brother, Husband, Uncle, Father, Grandfather and Friend.
Conclusively, We, his family thank God Almighty through whose Grace and Mercy that Daddy was able to answer the call of the Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria, to render specialized services when he was needed and called to duty. Daddy was truly a trial-blazer, path-finder, pace-setter and an iconic pioneer.
