Professor Ben Binebai from Burutu of Ijaw in Bayelsa State revealed that he had to sit for JAMB six times before he was able to make it to the university and become a university graduate and ultimately a Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory and Criticism by the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island (Amassoma), Bayelsa State.
He urged the ijaw youths never to relent in their pursuit and quest for success. He urged them to fully embrace education because it is the surest way out of poverty.
According to IgbereTV reports, Binebai spoke on Sunday, in Burutu during a Thanksgiving/Reception party put together by the Barr. David Otutufegha-led Committee of Friends over Ben Binebai’s elevation to Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory and Criticism by the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island (Amassoma), Bayelsa State.
Dr Felix Tuodolo, first President of the Ijaw Youth Council and former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw Affairs implored youths to seek an education which is a veritable requirement for the emancipation of oppressed people.
Dr Alfred Mulade, Registrar of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko said:
“Prof. Binebai is an Iroko in the academia and is one of Niger Delta’s finest. I urge our youth to pursue education.”
“I will never forget the intellectual contributions of Prof. Benedict Benebai towards the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State”.
Mr Esanmabeke Opuofeni, Director (Administration), Office of the Surveyor-General, Delta State, a friend of the celebrant said he was proud of Prof Binebai who has made the Ijaw nation proud.
“Prof Binebai is unassuming and silent but rises to his full stature when literary drums are beaten”.
Vice-Chancellor of NDU, Bayelsa State, Professor Samuel G. Edoumiekumoh said, “The people of Burutu and indeed youths of the Ijaw nation, like Ben Binebai, must struggle to top of their academic careers, despite lack of parental support, holding out his own story, for effect.”
In the reception party, Professor Binebai narrated his journey to success.
He said: “I went to the University just to be a graduate, in my desire to break a jinx placed upon me by evil men. The story of this jinx is in the public domain. I was told that I would never progress beyond a Grade II Teacher”.
“But no matter the stories prophets of doom tell and plot against you, support what is in your mind with positive thoughts and bring in God who will definitely light up the path to fulfill your dreams”, Binebai advised.
Binebai said that when the evil plotter against his progress beyond a Grade II Teacher publicly confessed, he secured admission into the University of Ibadan where his name was number two in the admission list for his course.
“I triumphed because I decided and boarded a canoe where God was in front, Jesus Christ in the middle, and the Holy Ghost, at the rear.”
“God divinely made Prof Edoumiekumoh as Vice-Chancellor of NDU, “an honest scholar par excellence and transformer to seal my consequent and higher dream of being a Professor”.
“In Burutu Island, I was a known journalist, teacher and drama boy. In Wilberforce Island in NDU, in Bayelsa State, I became celebrated with awards in all these genres. I won Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Award, won Bayelsa State Lecturer of the Year Merit Award in 2017 and in 2019, I won African Solo Drama Award with my plays titled Karena’s Cross and My Life in the Burning Creeks.”
