Late Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan, the Ebikobowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, who was assassinated on the 22nd day of December 2011 in the commercial city of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria, was a Mathematician and an erudite leader from Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Chief Emmanuel Timiyan was born on the 6th of January 1961 into the family of late Pa. Ozusinde Timiyan and Mrs. Waridude Timiyan of Kokodiagbene/Ogulagha and Odimodi communities in Warri South West and Burutu local government areas of Delta State respectively. He had his primary education as Ebiabu Primary School, between 1969 and 1975, from there he proceeded to Ogidiben community for his secondary education at Ogidiben Grammar School from 1976 to 1981.

During his study at Ogidiben Grammar School, Chief Emmanuel Timiyan was fondly called by his colleagues as ‘Teacher of Teachers’ as a result of his proficiency and outstanding performances particularly in Mathematics and other science related subjects. His outstanding academic performances earned him automatic employment as Mathematics and Physics teacher at Gbaraun Grammar School, Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in September 1981. There he taught as a pioneer teacher of the institution alongside his childhood friend and brother, Dr. Bello Oboko, for a period of five years.

Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan believed that education is the bedrock of development. Hence he proceeded to Warri for further studies when he gained admission into College of Education, Warri in 1983 and later graduated with an National Certificate of Education (N.C.E.) degree in 1986, which added more flair to his teaching career and his subsequent engagement by the defunct Bendel State Ministry of Education as a professional teacher, posted to Oredo Girls Grammar School, Benin City in 1989 where he taught for a period of four years. In August 27, 1991, at the creation of Delta State from the defunct Bendel State, he was reposted to Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele in 1991 where he taught alongside with another of his childhood friend, Dr. Prince Bebenimibo, till 1997.

As a result of the yearning for further education, Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan further sponsored himself with his meager teacher’s salary to secure admission into the University of Benin, Benin City to study Mathematics in 1992 and graduated with a Second Class Upper Division (2.1) in B.Sc. Mathematics in 1997. Late Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan later went into business; he was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Ayemidi & Sons Nigeria Limited and co-host to other companies with his brother, Barr. Bosin Ebikeme, dealing basically with multinational companies.

Above all, Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan still held firmly to his teaching profession and was later posted from Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele to Kpakiama Grammar School, Kpakiama in 1997 and was elevated to the position of Vice Principal of the institution where he served actively till his death.

Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan is also a patriotic community leader whose leadership charisma was first exhibited amongst the youth of his country home, Kokodiagbene. His thoughtful ideas and that of a few others led to the formation of Kokodiagbene Youth Development Movement (KYDM) in 1986. Despite been instrumental to the formation of this great movement, Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan decided not to take an active position in the youth body until 1992-1995 when he became the Vice President of the Movement, and later the President in 1998-2001. During this period he showed to the entire community and the kingdom at large that he is even better outside the classroom in terms of leadership. At the end of his tenure, his exemplary leadership earned him several meritorious awards as the best ever youth president of Kokodiagbene community.

Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan did not stop there, he further moved to the pedestal of opinion leader in Kokodiagbene community. This he did not earn as a result of influence nor by age but by his satisfactory brilliant opinions in issues of common interest, his immense contribution to the betterment of his hometown, Kokodiagbene, and the kingdom at large, which was noticed by the then Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Godwin K. Bebenimibo DSP (rtd) JP who honoured him with a chieftaincy title named the Ebikobowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom which means the man that brings goodness to Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Until his death, Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan's humility and politeness is equal to none. He is adjudged as a philanthropist who gives more to others than himself and his immediate family, especially when education is involved. In the church, in the community, among family, friends and neighbours, he was seen as a giver. Hence, he won the following merit awards: National Association of Odimodi Students (NAOS) as Peace Ambassador in the Niger Delta 2007; Kokodiagbene Youth Development Movement (KYDM) as a Motivator, a Brother of Brothers and Education 2008; National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) as Role Model of Leadership 2007.

Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan is also a recipient of the following: Man ‘O’ War Cadet (Citizenship & Leadership Training Club) Certificate 1983 from the College of Education; Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI) Certificate of Achievement (1988) from the defunct Bendel State; Certificate of Participation (1989) from the Mathematical Association of Nigeria in association with the Ministry of Education from the defunct Bendel State Branch; Certificate of Attendance (1998) from Development Associates.

in his biography, a tribute reads: "Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan was happily married to Mrs. Alice Ayemidi Timiyan and they are blessed with five children (2 boys and 3 girls). If there be anything called a second world, his wife will still choose him as her husband, his children as their father, his brothers and sisters as their relations, his communities: Kokodiagbene, Ogulagha and Odimodi, as their son. Though your journey on the earth was so short and was terminated by the wickedness of this world, you left an indelible footprint in our hearts that will remain evergreen. You were indeed a rare gem, an icon that touches all lives that came in contact with you. Sleep on Brother Emmanuel till we meet to part no more. Adieu!

The funeral of late Chief Emmanuel Ayemidi Timiyan who was murdered on Thursday 22 December 2011 held Thursday 12 and Friday 13 January 2012 at Kokodiagbene community. May his gentle soul rest on in the bosom of the Lord Almighty, Amen.

#penglobalpersonality