01/31/2022
HISTORY ABOUT TANTUA INTERNTOINAL SCHOOL
MEET AMASSOMA'S GREATEST MAN OF ALL TIME: HRH Ebikebina Tantua Tainghe II, JP, Amakoromo-owei of Tantua-Ama, Birinanaowei of Okpodu (1929-2014)
I am pretty sure that if you conduct a survey today to ask Ijos and Amassomans, especially the young ones who the greatest Amassoma Man of the 20th and 21st century is, out of ignorance or mischief, you may not hear the name "Chief Ebikebina Tantua". Nonetheless, it is my measured opinion that he is the greatest Amassoma Man of all times. It is with this conviction that I am beaming my spotless spotlight on him on this Throwback Thursday with the hope that this little effort would create awareness about this great man.
Just as I said in my piece about Ernest Ikoli, years back, the labours of our heroes passed is in vain when we don't accord them their proper place in history due to petty political and other considerations.
So without much ado, I present to you a little piece of the life and times of His Royal Highness Ebikebina Tantua, Taingbe II JP, Amakoromo-Owei of Tantua Ama and Birinanaowei of Okpodu, to read and assess for yourselves to see if my claim is justified. Let's go!
Born on 12 June 1929 - 64 years before that day become itched in the consciousness of generations of Nigerians being the date of what was adjudged Nigeria's freest and fairest Presidential Election - in Amassoma, in present day Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the young Ebikebina was the sole surviving son of his parents: Mr. and Mrs. John and Ovuregha Tantua.
He kick-started his educational journey at St Stephen's Primary School Amassoma, which has produced many of Amassoma's elites, between 1943 and 1948. After that he furthered his education in France under the auspices of the Industrial Training Programme in 1950.
Upon graduation, he went into active practice and was employed as an Engineer by Shell Petroleum and Wayne Incorporated as well as Station Services in Ghana
