User:FelixAbam

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Synopsis:

The third child of the Abam Ebri Ottoh family and the first born of his mother Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh, a.k.a Archibong Ette, Ubi Ekoko as fondly called by his parents is one of Yakurr greatest heroes because of his unique appeal. His remarkable power of oratory and organizational ability clearly distinguished him among his equals wherever he stood. He was a bold warrior, good orator, prolific writer, a poet, a historian, a philosopher, a social worker, a cautious leader, a pen general, and an oracle of no mean pedigree. He is a remarkable story of the rise from a humble begging of a simple young trader to an academic and political mogul. He lived his life with the support of a very intelligent and supportive wife Deac Mrs Caroline Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh - trained their children from very small earnings to a point when his children and the community needed him most. Then a sudden and tragic death. His distinctively human and humane personality and historical role in the emancipation of ignorance and illiteracy across generations through his teaching profession has created a legacy that endures. Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh is one of the greatest communicators of our time, creative, deeply perceptive, especially regarding each student’s individual characteristics and learning process as well as the needs of a class of people. He was exigent as to lead people to improving their weaknesses - didn't begin that way, he develop some significant qualities over time. Plagued by a stutter in his early life, he was determined to rise above his mother's advice that he picks a career that didn't involve public speaking to avoid being in the eye of the storm since he was the only surviving male child. He is an extremely professional, competent, and high performing teacher. He stood out amongst ALL teachers and heads of schools who worked in Yakurr LGA as one of the most ready to serve humanity. His business understanding goes way beyond his technical expertise; he has a deep understanding of the teaching industry, strategy, finance etc. His integrity is impeccable, and he is an extremely effective manager of people and material resources, has the power of flow control for any occasion(s), children, men and women and his team in every school he thought or headed. This attributes earned him overwhelming recommendations for executive position in any organization he served. Though a strict disciplinarian he was a good balance between flexibility and strictness. He left profoundest influence on the intellectual and moral character of his children and all that he has thought. He was never narcissistic with his Gods given intellectual power. Most of all he has immense love for his profession which he demonstrated with high level of commitment.

He was not the man to be daunted. His influence with the young people and friends has continued unabated. Under his influence, young people were able to confront the prejudices and superstitions of thinking poverty as a limitation. He established an academic Society in St Parse’s primary school - where regular debates were held among children. As a teacher Shehu of the woods not only instructed his pupils; he inspired them. He left the permanent stamp of his personality on their moral character. He is one of the creators of the leaders of the now and future. His lectures and conversations and inscriptions proved a perpetual source of inspiration. Even now it is difficult to discard any peace paper that has his writing. Even after his death his students keep calling his phone line; they acknowledged how much respect they owed to him.

Childhood

Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh a.k.a ‘Shehu of the woods’ born 27th march; 1954 in Ugep Yakurr LGA of Cross River State as the only male child of Chief Abam Ebri Ottoh Arikpo and Mma Okpata Ekoko nee Okpata Ubi both of kebong ijiman Ugep. Born into a polygamous family of three wives’ with several sisters, he struggled with the emotions of growing up without a brother but blessed with wonderful sisters he so appreciates. He was just one man but stood as many men in the face of storm.

Education:

He is an enlightened consummate teacher, and a savvy businessman – politician. He received his primary education at The Apostolic Primary School, Ugep Yakurr LGA in 1959 As a cute kid he showed brilliant promise, he soon became the idol of the student community, due to his brilliant performance he was recommended for accelerated promotion by his then teacher and head master late teacher David Offem and was promoted to write standard six entrance into secondary school at a very young age and obtained his FSLC 1963. As an extremely brilliant, outspoken, and confident school boy, he was famous amongst his teachers and friends. He made one of the best results in his set and later proceeded to Amozu Izikwo High School early 1972 (after a stay in business) where he only spent first team and mid that same year continued his education in Community Secondary School Ugep (COSGRAMMS) from mid-1972 to 1976. He was an outstanding consummate student of COSGRAMMS; he was the senior school prefect in his days, his parents showed dogged support to see him through school from little resources earned through cocoa farming and his father’s paid job as staff of the then Eastern Nigerian Development Corporation (E.N.D.C) Nko rubber plantation. This outstanding posture made him earn the financial support of the then Kebong Community Corporative Society headed by late chief Ubi Arikpo Edet. In COSGRAMMS he had a most assimilative and alert mind and he naturally wanted to be a teacher. He was a good sports man and finished well in COSGRAMMS. Late 1976/77 while writing his last paper in Secondary School the-them Obubra Local Govt. Area Education authority already offered him auxiliary teaching appointment. He accepted the offer as a dream come true and started his teaching career that soon in Nko town. He attended Teachers Training College, Ikom from 1980 to 1981 and obtained a teachers grade ii Certificate of Education. While still teaching he gained admission into the National Teacher’s Institute; Kaduna (NTI) from 1994 to 1997 where he majored in English Language as a teaching subject and obtained an NCE -National Certificate of Education. Being sensitive to the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) age he enrolled in CATS Computer College Calabar January of 2003 and obtained an IT Certification in Computer Studies and Application as a teaching aid. He was officially inducted as member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria in June 2006. He received several leadership trainings from across the state in different higher schools of learning. In 2009/10 he showed interest in law and began preparing to go back to school to study law – he always said ‘’I want to be in an atmosphere where I will exercise and exchange intellectual brain waves as a demonstration of logical superiority – that is what I want now – guys! Now it is your turn to train your father, prepare to give me pocket money because am not chip to maintain ’’ and we were always happy to hear him say this, but he has to answer this call of nature. This man was a sweet man.

Business/Career Development:

Late Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh started life as a young trader; he went into trading between 1964 and 1971 after his primary education because his parents as at that time did not have money to send him to Secondary School. As a young trader he travelled wide and this also helped form who he became. He managed the Kebong Cooperative Society stores and later established his own business and traded goods and services within Ugep and environs with supplies from major cities of Nigeria. Late Elder Felix Abam Ottoh was a teacher of no mean status. He started his teaching career in Primary School No. 2 Nko Town, Yakurr LGA as an auxiliary teacher from late 1976. His appointment as an auxiliary teacher was ratified and upgrade fully to a confirmed professional grade ii teacher with effect from 1/10/ 1984. Throughout his teaching career he demonstrated extraordinary leadership ability. His principle of analyzing every problem in the dry light of reasoning remains a legacy. He has groomed several great people in our society today. He thought and served in various capacities in the following schools:

1. Primary School No. 11 Nko

2. Apostolic Primary School Ugep.

3. Assistant head teacher – Omene Okpechi Obubra LGA,

5. Apostolic Primary School,

6. UCC Ugep

7. St Pierces P/S, Ugep.

8. St Mary’s P/S,Ugep.

9. Obanjom Memorial Ugep.

10. PCN P/S Idomi in January 2011 to date.

He was already close to the end of his brilliant career before his sudden death.

Social and Community Service

Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh was very sociable, jovial and friendly, full of encouragement, simple and very kind. His children leant how to crack jokes from him and the wife. It was fun being around him. His life was beautiful; he loved anything good and everybody, he did have two personalities, he was a shy person but when he manned public occasions he displaced a take no prisoners show man, it was like kill or be killed. Though a wonderful human being he wasn’t still perfect, when issues got hard at him he always charged back passionately but quick to forgive. His feelings about issues has never been logical, he is truly very emotional. He had great guts to go against tradition and believes, take control of his life and change things for the better. Shehu was a prolific and an extra-ordinary MC of MC’s. He anchored several social and political gatherings, marriages and Local Government occasions as MC. He wrote poems, essays, profiles, biographies and tributes of great-good friends, he inspire people with great speeches and was poised intellectually. He was a very deep person with insight of what a great future he hopes for. He wrote several manuscripts as books yet unpublished. He was actively involved in community service; he has served in various capacities as follows: 1. Secretary Kebong Youth Association 2. Ijiman Youth Association and several other organizations not mentioned here. He passionately participated in politics, made clear vocal insistences on who seems fit to move our society to the next level from Councillor to the presidency. He showed great interest in national issues – he travelled several times to watch Senate sessions in the National Assemble when very sensitive issues were announced to be handled on the floor of the Senate particularly. He always admired the Oratory of great Chuba Okadigbo the then Senate president.

Christian/Marital Life

Late Elder Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh was until his death a member of the Apostolic Church of God. He knew God at a very young age and was baptized by immersion in water. He later back-slided but soon rededicated his entire life and family to God. He became a new man in Christ Jesus. He recently rekindled their marriage 12th May 2012 and was ordered an Elder of the Apostolic Church of God Ijom 1 district in 2011; he served in that capacity until his death. He married at a very young age and blessed with a patient, intelligent and capable wife - a devote Christian - firebrand tongue speaking woman of God fondly called Deac Mrs Monday (Caroline) F Abam - a strict women’s leader and a teacher of no mean standing. He also had children from three other women later in life. He worked very hard to bring-up his family; he gave his all to build a solid foundation for his children and great generations to come. He is blessed with good children. His generation marked a turnaround in his family tree.

Home Call

On Saturday 11th of August, 2012, between 5:30 and 6:45am shortly after he entered his bed room from the bath room he called his beloved wife and complained his breath was failing. He was rushed to Ugep general hospital where he later died. Seldom was a teacher so young mourned so passionately by his students. He died and left a lot of manuscripts yet unpublished.

He is survived by

Wife Deac Mrs Caroline Felix Abam Ebri Ottoh

Children

Charles Felix A. Ebri.

Mrs Eunice Patrick Eyoung.

Mrs Abaloke David B. Bassey

Kekayo Felix A. Ebri

Obeten Felix A. Ebri

Mbasekoi Felix A. Ebri

Daniel Felix A. Ebri

Patrick Felix A. Ebri

Jane Felix A. Ebri

Edmond Felix A. Ebri

Favour Felix A. Ebri

Laura Felix A. Ebri

Arit Felix A. Ebri

Charles Emmanuel Jnr

Florence Emmanuel

Grand Children

Peace Patrick Eyoung

Emmanuel Patrick Eyoung

Joy Patrick Eyoung

Precious (Keyu) Patrick Eyoung

Stephanie (Keyu) Charles Felix A. Ebri

Gifted (Keyu, Blessed) Charles Felix A. Ebri

Success Charles Felix A. Ebri

Rex Charles Felix A. Ebri

Flourish Charles Felix A. Ebri

Donald Kekayo Felix A. Ebri

Jesam (Keyu) David Bassey Bassey

Daughters In-law

Mrs Blessing Charles Felix A. Ebri

Mrs Womi Kekayo Felix A. Ebri

Sons In-law

Elder Patrick Eyoung

Mr David Bassey Bassey

Step Mother

Mma Usor Abam Ebri Ottoh

Sisters

Mrs Okwo Odum Ofem

Late Mrs Eni Abam Ebri (Eni Tunder)

Mrs Cecilia Linus Abam

Mrs Osese (Sunday) Abam Ebri

Mrs Mary Santos Bassey

Mrs Bassie Ubi Osoku

Mrs Patience Okoi Gabriel

Mrs Elizabeth Emmanuel Ibiang

Mrs Kebe Utum Thompson

Mrs Kate Eba