The Late High Chief (Dr.) Elder J.G.B. Ari (JP), the Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, was born on the 15th of September 1939 in Otungbo, a satellite community in Igoba, to the Late Elder and Mrs. Ekpesin from Ugeh Quarters in Kokodiagbene Town of the great Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, and from Idede of Alaka Quarters, Effurun–Otor Kingdom, Ughelli South LGA. both of Delta State, Nigeria. His grandfather is Late Elder Furu, who married his grandmother, Ugeh, in Kokodiagbene.

The Late High Chief Ari attended Ebiabor Primary School, Kokodiagbene from 1955–58. He continued his primary education after relocating from Kokodiagbene to Warri where he went the African Church School (now Omotsola Primary School) from 1958–59. In his desperation to complete his primary education, he finally attended the Holy Trinity Primary School in Asaba from 1959–60 on relocation. 

In furtherance of his academics he attended Abbot College in Sapele near Warri from 1962–66. As a result of his love for education, he continued his academical journey by acquiring various knowledge backed up with and certifications.

Among some of academic achievements and honours include: Certificate in Personnel Management & Manpower Administration Course, 1982; Workshop Attendance Certificate on Effective Community Leadership by Development Associate in association with Oil Exploration Companies, 1998; Certificate of Participation in SPDC on Environment and Community Development, 2001; 

Others are: Certificate on participation in SPDC / NNPC Joint Venture Workshop on Community Development Environmental Workshop, 2002; Certificate of participation in training for Directors of Community Bank by Financial Institutions Training Centre in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, 2004; and Certificate of Completion in Chevron Nigeria Limited organised workshop 'Stop for Supervision'. 

Late High Chief Ari started his working career as a staff of Asaba Textile Mills where he held a supervisory position in the company. He also worked in Westminister Dredging Nigeria Limited where he held a managerial position as Personnel Manager. He later established Jonathan Ari Nigeria Limited, a company vast in civil Works and marine operations. He was the Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director of the company. While holding the post, he oversaw lots of construction projects including concrete landing jetties, amongst them the Kokodiagbene Jetty.

Late High Chief Ari served greatly as a Kingdom and community leader in both Gbaramatu Kingdom and in Kokodiagbene Town. He ensured the stability and growth of the kingdom. 

In community affairs, being selfless, the Late High Chief Ari made sure that the community, which is an oil-bearing community, benefits from the oil exploration benefits. He also made sure that the children of the community enjoy free education from the oil companies as scholarship benefits / awards, and that the women received empowerment and the youths partook in development programmes for capacity building.

As a kingdom chief, he was the General Secretary of the Kingdom (the Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom)—the chief's scribe of the kingdom. He served greatly in the Kingdom and was known as a great man of peace and visible integrity, a great man of valour.

The Late High Chief Ari also served at the State level. He was a member of the Land Use Allocation Committee in Warri LGA from 1977–97. He was a pioneer member of the 13% Derivation Committee, Delta State, from 2000–2006, and was a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Special Duties. He went on to spearheaded the 13% Derivation Allocation for Oil Producing Communities in Nigeria, and was also involved in the Delta State Oil Revenue Adaptation Formula.

The Late High Chief Ari was an extraordinary community leader who used his influence to forestall every move that might cause the activities of youth restiveness. He used his hard-earned resources to create employment opportunity for the youths. In his capacity as a philanthropist, initiated an Educational Foundation / Business upliftment resource centre, in his immediate environment to encourage the youths for total participation towards nation building, education and business-wise. Also, as a philanthropist, he used his vast knowledge in the oil sector of the economy to enhance the living conditions of the less privilege Deltans by Instituting a foundation for the re-orientation and rehabilitation of the youths and the widows. 

Because of his giant strides, Late High Chief Ari was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Award (HONORIS CAUSA) by the Atlas University, America; a Leadership Award in Community Developments by Leadership and Role Model Foundation of Nigeria. He also received a Special recognition as a Community Leader/Philanthropist by Rotary Club of Enugu, among other honors.

The Late High Chief Ari got married to Late Mrs. Stella Saka Ari (Nee Mamar) of Azama Town, Gbaramatu Kingdom. After her demise, he got married to Mrs. Patricia Ari (Nee Omoyibo) of Oria-Abraka; but they later divorced. He then got married to Mrs. Golere wife before his demise in 2023. He was blessed with nine children, 20 grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The Late High Chief Ari, who was born into and got baptized in the Anglican Church family, later joined the Pentecostal family where he was a foundation member of the Life Church of God Ministry Inc., Warri, where he was the Senior Elder and Head of Administration of the church.

According to the Ari family, "The Late High Chief Ari is a loving brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and leader. He was greatly loved by all because of his selfless life style. We call him FATHER ABRAHAM, symbolizing the Father of Many Nations. He will be greatly missed by all and sundry."

The Late High Chief Ari is survived by nine children who are: Dcns. Mrs. Ogisi Ebikeabore Ari, Mr. Ayebitorofa Anthony Ari, Mr. Kemepade Frank Ari, Mr. Zifaghaari Endurance, Engr. Iyadongha Theophilus Ari, Mrs. Konmane Tamaramieperede, Mr. Dinbanimibofa David Ari, Master Ari Tamaratare, and Mrs. Godwin Tamaranimi.

His sons In-law, three in numbers, are: Engr. Dcn. Ogisi Benjamin, Mr. Konmane Akpos, and Mr. Godwin Evans Chukwu; while his daughters in-law who are five in numbers include: Mrs. Ari Chinedu Adamma, Mrs. Ari Olaitan Shemudara, Mrs. Ari Nkemdili, Mrs. Ari Nkechinyere Jennifer, and Mrs. Ari Zanae Elizabeth.

His grand children include: Ogisi Tamaralayefa, Ogisi Tamaratarela, Ogisi Ebitemewei, Konmane Oyindenbofa, Ari Gianna Karena, Konmane Tamaratena, Ari Tarebi Abayomi Paul, Ari Ethan, Ari Ebikela Nathan, Konmane Ebimoboere, Ari Ebikake Talia, Ari Tarela Arianna, Ari Nathan, Ari Chinenyenwa Theodora, Ari Ebiowei Joshua, Ari Douye Anuoluwakoo, Ari Jonathan Ebiyeomie, Ogisi Ebifieyede Seth, Ari Ebitare Rayna, and Godwin Tarechukwu.

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