Biography of late Ogbueshi (Sir) Michael Chukwuma Ebo
Ogbueshi (Sir)
Michael Chukwuma Ebo
Ogbueshi (Sir) Michael Chukwuma Ebo was born on the 22nd of January, 1935, at Asaba, in Delta State to the late Gabriel Ogana Ebo and late Madam Anna Nwadiafor Ebo.
Michael Chukwuma Ebo was one of the pioneer Nigerian school leaders of the Federal
Government Colleges. He was appointed the founding Vice Principal of Federal Government College, Kano 1973 – 1976; where he worked with his professional mentor late Mr. D. J. Bullock. In 1976, he was selected for a Senior Management Course at the University of Pittsburgh, U.S.A. On his return from training, Mike was transferred to the Federal School of Arts & Science Ondo as the founding Principal. In 1978, he attended the Advanced School Administration Course at the University of IOWA, U.S.A.
Mike was most fulfilled when he was in school. He believed in his calling to nurture young minds and inspire them to be the best. He loved to teach Chemistry and in spite of his busy schedule, he created time to teach Chemistry to his Higher School Certificate (HSC) students. He saw the need for providing quality primary education for staff children and established the Staff Nursery and primary Schools (SNAPS) in FGC Port Harcourt and FGC Warri. He believed in education’s ability to empower those around him and maintained his passion for improving society.
Michael Chukwuma Ebo was indeed a great man. A visionary and dynamic leader, a great thinker and philosopher, a devout Christian, and an extraordinary husband and father. Tributes abound from the many lives he touched, mentored, and positively impacted in his lifetime as an Erudite Intellectual, Renowned Model – Educator, and a Humble Entrepreneur. In memory of his passion and to continue his work in education, Michael Chukwuma Ebo Foundation was born in 2014.
A Psalm of Life
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
M.C. Ebo loved and used poems during Monday assemblies in his schools where he led as principal.
These poems helped shape many students into the great personalities they are today.
One of these poems is A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers. And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each tomorrow Find us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting. And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, however pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act-act in the living Present! Heart within, and God overhead!
Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.