A Portharcourt-based lawyer and politician Mr Nimi Walson-Jack, on Sunday took to the social media to celebrate his father in-law, HRH Christian A. O. Otobotekere, the paramount ruler of Tombia town in Yenogoa local government area of Bayelsa state who clocked 94 on April 21, 2019.
In a series of tributes published on his personal Facebook account, Walson-Jack, a former Special Adviser to former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili revealed that the monarch still plays table tennis with him at such an advanced age.
He described Otobotekere as a “trail blazer in Women’s Rights and true believer in Gender equality and equity”.
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“In a Society where the female child still suffers neglect in Education, HRH Christian A. O. Otobotekere is a trail blazer in Women’s Rights. A true believer in Gender equality and equity.
He provided equal access to Life, especially Education to his Fourteen (14) Daughters, and Three (3) Sons, who were born after the twelfth (12) daughter.
Among his 14 female children, we now have:
1. An Evangelist, Pastor and Church-Founder.
2. An Internationally acclaimed Pastor
3. An Excellent Educationist and Proprietress of Schools.
4. An astute Educational Administrator.
5. An intelligent Laboratory Technologist & University Lecturer.
6. A Certified Chartered Accountant and Federal Civil Servant.
7. A seasoned Lawyer and Federal Permanent Secretary.
8. A Professor of Fisheries and Federal Public Servant.
9. A Business Tycoon.
10. A trusted Banker and now School Proprietress.
11. Professional Caterers.
Among the 3 men are 2 Engineers and One (1) Mechatronics Technician.
Happy Birthday to Our loving Daddy, Grand-Daddy to our Children, and hundreds of others.
Our Daddy is a rare gem. A loving father to all his children and their spouses, and to a host of others.
A Dad so special and dear to our hearts.
We are privileged to be those whom the Lord God blessed with a Father who made a positive impact physically, emotionally and financially.
In our youth, Daddy was there for us. He used to make us act plays and sing songs as members of an unincorporated family orchestra.
Dad taught us to pray, work, and play. He taught us to Swim and jump at the waves. Daddy taught our husbands to love Golf.
Being with Daddy was very exciting and educating.
Our Daddy was always there for us. He encouraged us to be the best we could be. Now as parents, we are better able to appreciate the enormous sacrifice Daddy made for us.
We are deeply thankful to Daddy for the rich values that we imbibed from his exemplary lifestyle of honesty, truthfulness and probity. It is indeed a privilege to have been nurtured under the tutelage and discipline of Daddy.”
Otobotekere, a literary icon who has written over two hundred poems in seven published books was on July 23, 2016 abducted from his palace by unidentified gunmen and freed 17 days later.
A 1957 graduate of Fourah bay University College, Sierra Leone, he holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economic Studies. He is learned in Latin, English Language and Literature. He is also an active member and patron of the Association of Nigerian Authors.