Skip to main content

Remembering HON, Dr Barinem Nubari Kiobel's birthday: 23rd September

By: 
John Donovan - RoyalDutchShellPLC.com

Happy Birthday HON, Dr. Barinem Nubari Kiobel. Though you are not physically with us, your spirit lives on and your memory remains fresh in our hearts. Your legacy will live forever. You shall always be remembered. We love you but Jesus Loves You more. May your precious soul continue to rest in peace. Remain in the bosom of the LORD Almighty God until we meet to part no more. Happy posthumous birthday. We Love you.

See more information below about the career of Dr. Kiobel and a loving memorial salute by his widow. 

Esther Kiobel (above) the widow of DR Kiobel is currently suing Royal Dutch Shell in the Dutch courts for alleged complicity in his murder.  A panel of three Dutch judges has given approval for the case to proceed. Esther is the lead plaintiff in the action brought collectively by three Ogoni 9 widows whose husbands were all hanged by the Nigerian military regime allegedly in collaboration with Shell. 

Remembering (Hon) Dr. Barinem Nubari Kiobel

PH.D MCOM, MBA, BBA, DIPM DIPMGT-ABE MCIM MINSTT

Dr. Barinem Nubari Kiobel was born in Kpor Town, Gokana local Gov’t area of River State, Ogoni in Niger Delta into the family of Madam Vurage Kile Diiyor (mother) and chief Francis Kiobel Barika (father) on September 23rd, 1959.

  • 1971-1975 – GCE O’LEVEL in Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny Rivers State
  • 1975-1976 – GCE A’LEVEL

West African examination council

  • 1979-1983 – Certificate/Diploma in management.

Association of business executives

  • Certificate in marketing/diploma in marketing chartered institute of marketing
  • 1983 – 84 – MBA – Master of Business Administration (Special option – international marketing)
  • 1984 – 85 – BBA bachelor of business Administration- degree in marketing Shiller International University.
  • 1985-1986 – MCOMM – Master of commerce degree in marketing – University of Strathclyde, GLASGOW
  • 1986-87 – Research/Analysis/Design and Evaluation – Doctoral certificate in research design, Statistical Analysis, Quantitative Technique Assessment and research methods evaluation. Scottish Business School – Doctoral training program University of Glasgow
  • 1987 – 90 – PH.D – Doctor of philosophy in tourism planning and development Strathclyde

PH.D – Research topic: – Comparative Analysis of tourism – Planning and Development in Nigeria and India.

Work Experience / Research

1976 – 1979 – Marketing officer/NPPB Permanent Representative Rivoc

  • Nigerian palm produce board, technical division.
  • Specific Assignment: Marketing officer and palm produce boards
  • The permanent representative at Rivoc (Rivers Vegetable Oil Company)
  • 1986-1987 – President – Nigeria Union – Scotland Functions include: Representation of Nigerians in Scotland on various bodies at non-diplomatic level liaison with Nigerian dignitaries receptions.
  • 1987 – 90 – Research supervision masters and bachelor’s degrees between 1987 and 1990 he supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate research students at masters and bachelor’s degree levels at the University of Strathclyde.
  • 1986 -1990 Tutorial lectureship in tourism/management.

Hotel school – University of Strathclyde

  • 1987 – 89 – Industrial Training in Tourism/Hotel management.

Trust house porte, Aston Clinton Road.

  • 1989 – 90 – Various consultancy Assignments with tour operators, travel agencies, Tourism organization, international corporate organizations.
  • 1990-1991 – He was an Assistant tourism/marketing officer trade and investment promotors section; Nigeria high commission, Northumberland.
  • 1991-92 – He was director import/export operations quicksort merchants LTD Brawne House Hillington.

Awards

  • 1986-1990 – David Livingstone Award      University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
  • 1992-93- He was a senior lecturer in the department of business administration faculty of management science in Rivers State.  University of science and technology Port-Harcourt.
  • Jan 1993 – January 1994 – He became chairman publicity committee KILS; Gokana.

The title above organization is a body of educated elites formed for the development of Gokana. As chairman of the publicity committee of above organization, He enlightened fellow members and entire Gokana kingdom of Ogoni tribe of embrace federal government effort to address Ogoni demands along with other along with other oil community members through the OMPADEC.

Through his effort, the commissioner for community relations in OMPADEC visit Gokana kingdom and address the people of Ogoni successfully.

  • Jan 1994 – July 1994 – He was an Honorable commissioner.

Ministry of commerce, industry, and tourism, River State.

Duties / Responsibilities

  • As (Hon) Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Tourism his major achievements were as follows
  • He successfully re-organized the ministry of commerce industry and tourism which until then was only a bureau into a standardized well-organized ministry of repute with high measures level of performance and productivity among workers.
  • Reverend Dr. Nwator peace panel which was set up by the (Hon) commissioner Dr. Barinem Nubari Kiobel to investigate causes of crises between k-Dere and Bodo city communities in Gokana and to make recommendations for achieving lasting peace. As a result of above panel’s report and recommendations, peace reigned between the two communities.
  • During his tenure of office as (Hon) commissioner for commerce and tourism, his high level of performance in conflict management was demonstrated through moves to returning peace to Ogoni land after the conflict with the Andonis, which led to the closure of Rivers States polytechnic Bori. He took the risk of intervening as an indigenous commissioner and with the high level of Diplomatic manoeuvres, led to the general acceptance by the locals to guarantee the security of staff, students, and all strangers at Bori and the polytechnic.
  • The agreements reached with the locals and his personal pledge to the people and Rivers State government guaranteeing security for all led to the reopening of Rivers State polytechnic. The above achievement caused him being highly loved and honoured by his people, the Ogoni tribe of Rivers State of Nigeria. In addition, as a member of a four-man MOSOP committee in Kpor chapter, he also brought peace, progress, and unity to the entire village.

He also had Other official engagements / Relationships with the Rivers State Administrator Lt. Col D.M. Komo and chief Melford Okilo. As the (Hon) Minister of commerce and tourism, he was very remarkable and contributed highly toward the implementation of the national oil museum Oloibiri Project. As a good citizen of Nigeria, he contributed positively to the progress of his people and the people loved him, which led Komo and shell (SPDC) thinking he was going to be a good candidate to be used in their evil plan during their executive meeting that was conveyed at the government house. He refused to accept or implement their evil plans and the perpetrators got disappointed and decided to get rid of my husband, Ken, and the rest of them, to make it look like they were criminals. I cannot believe what is happening seeing owners of lands, resources being killed, maimed, acidized because they spoke out to possess back their freedom and wealth.

My husband’s blood will continue to cry out as Abel’s blood did until justice is served. I will continue fighting for justice for myself, my husband, and the oppressed, and with God’s help, I shall succeed.

He was a great husband, brother, father, best friend and playmate. He was a loving guy with a good heart. He loved and respected everyone around him. He always tells me that he does not mind if he died for his people, whenever I approach him about his security. He will laugh and said, “darling you are still a baby, I tell you what, God is our security and without Him we cannot do anything.”

DR BARINEM NUBARI KIOBEL LIKE NO OTHER

WAS A HUSBAND LIKE NO OTHER,

FATHER LIKE NO OTHER,

AN ACADEMICIAN LIKE NO OTHER,

A COMMISSIONER LIKE NO OTHER,

A PEACEMAKER LIKE OTHER,

A GRASSROOT’S DEVELOPER LIKE NO OTHER,

INCORRUPTIBLE LIKE NO OTHER,

RESILIENT LIKE NO OTHER,

HE REFUSED TO BETRAY HIS PEOPLE FOR SELFISH GAIN,

HE REFUSED TO MORTGAGE THE FUTURE OF THE UNBORN OGONI GENERATION,

HE STOOD HIS GROUND AGAINST THE INROADS OF VILLAINS, 

RATHER THAN SELL HIS CONSCIENCE,

HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE THAT HIS PEOPLE WILL LIVE AND PROSPER.

I CELEBRATE YOUR HEROISM. GREAT SON OF OGONI KINGDOM.

SMILE ON!!

Signed

Esther Kiobel

Posted Date: 
23 September 2019