From the riverine beginnings of Olukperebu village in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom to the academic halls of Delta State University, Abraka, my journey has been a testament to faith, perseverance, and destiny. Every setback became a stepping stone, and every delay prepared me for a greater purpose—to contribute meaningfully to knowledge, social transformation, and the empowerment of my people. Here is my story:

I was birthed in Olukperebu village, a tranquil settlement in the heart of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, within Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. My origins are deeply rooted in the creeks and cultural traditions of the Ijaw people—a world defined by resilience, simplicity, and the enduring bond of community.

My early childhood was spent in Oburu Community, also within the Gbaramatu Kingdom, where I first became conscious of life’s rhythms—both its challenges and its quiet beauty. Growing up among fishermen, women and hardworking families in a riverine environment instilled in me a spirit of determination, humility, and faith.

I began my primary education (when the normal tradition of your hand crossing the other side of ear) at Oboro Primary School, Benikrukru, Gbaramatu kingdom, a modest institution serving the surrounding communities. However, my educational journey was marked by interruptions. After completing Primary Three, I returned to Oburu Community, where I spent four years without attending school due to economic and environmental limitations that often hindered access to education in rural Niger Delta communities.

Eventually, I was taken by my elder sister to Warri to continue my studies, but my re-entry into school was not smooth. I was rejected from Primary Three because of my age. The school authorities insisted that I must swear an oath never to lay my hands on any pupil, a symbolic test of character and discipline. I accepted the condition with humility and began again from Primary Three at Pessu Primary School ‘A’, Warri. Ironically, while I was restarting primary education, some of my younger relatives and friends from Gbaramatu kingdom, who had earlier moved to Warri, were already in secondary school. This reality stirred in me a burning resolve to push forward and never allow circumstances to define my destiny.

After completing my primary education, I returned to Oporoza and I gained admission into Gbaraun Grammar School, Oporoza, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, for my secondary education. My time there was both inspiring and challenging, as I balanced the rigors of study with the realities of life in the creeks. However, I left Gbaraun Grammar School at Senior Secondary (SS) Two and later enrolled in Magic Touch School, Oleh, Warri, to prepare for my O’Level examinations.

My first O’Level certificate was obtained in pure sciences from Saint Vincent College, Ovwian. Despite my academic efforts, I became a victim of the long and frustrating Nigerian admission process, struggling from 2001 to 2009 to gain admission into a higher institution. Refusing to give up, I returned to Gbaraun Grammar School, Oporoza, after nine years and re-enrolled, this time pursuing studies in the social sciences, where I successfully obtained my WAEC certificate.

My perseverance finally paid off when I was admitted into the Delta State University, Abraka, during the 2012/2013 academic session, under the Weekend Degree Programme in the Department of Sociology. My passion for understanding human behavior, social structures, and development challenges—especially within the Niger Delta—drove me to excel and graduated 2.1 Grade (Second Class Upper).

Upon completing my first degree, I proceeded for a Master’s Degree in Sociology, where I deepened my academic engagement with social theory, development, and conflict studies. Today, I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in the same field, with a focus on the intersection of resource governance, power dynamics, and grassroots development in the Niger Delta region.

From the riverine beginnings of Olukperebu to the academic halls of Delta State University, my journey has been a testament to faith, perseverance, and destiny. Every setback became a stepping stone, and every delay prepared me for a greater purpose—to contribute meaningfully to knowledge, social transformation, and the empowerment of my people.

AMB. GBENEKAMA TRUSTON GESIKEME (Ph.D in view) writes from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.

#penglobaldiscourse #education #Gbaramatu #Delta