Felicitations flowed like a flood as family, friends and well-wishers poured encomiums on media icon, community leader and celebrated author, Celestine Ogolo as he marked his 60^th birthday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  

The event, which held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Evergreen Eateries, Abacha Road in Port Harcourt, was well attended by dignitaries from the Media, Civil Service, Judiciary and his alumni, the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association. Among the groups represented were the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

The celebrant, Celestine Miaribo Daminabo Ogolo, who holds the Ibani title of Warisenibo (House Elder), was born on Thursday, March 21, 1963 in Aba, Abia State to the family of late Warisenibo Loveday Miaribo Daminabo Ogolo and Late Mrs. Nelly Loveday Daminabo Ogolo, both of Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A celebrated author, Ogolo has in his stable of published works, “Rivers State: Governance, Economy and the People (1967-2022)”, a chronicle of critical issues that encompasses various facets of the historical evolution of Rivers State, Nigeria, which foreword was penned by the quintessential OCJ Okocha, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The celebrant, who holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in History from the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State; and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), affiliated to the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, has also authored “Opobo Kingdom: 150 Years After….Socio-Economic Dynamics for New Horizons, which was published in 2020.

His career path encompasses playing various editorial roles at The Tide Newspapers, such as Editor; Daily, Editor; The Tide on Sunday, Sports Editor; and Editor of the defunct Sunray Newspapers. He is a member of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and International Communications Association (ICA).

Congratulatory messages started pouring in early ahead of his birthday on various social media platforms and in person from his primary constituency, the Media, as well as associates from other professional bodies and social circles he belongs.

Kristina Reports findings indicate that the to underscore the significance of becoming a sexagenarian, a surprise birthday bash was clandestinely organized by his wife in concert with his friends, professional colleagues, and family members, amongst others, which turned out to be not only remarkable but memorable as well.

Highlights of the occasion were cutting of his birthday cake, rendition of goodwill messages, music and dance.

In her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information, Mrs. Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo poured encomiums on the celebrant, commending him for his dedication to duty, his penchant for timely delivery of given assignments and immeasurable humility.

In her remark, an official of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs. Boma Nwuke described Warisenibo Ogolo as “a good man, a man distinctively amazing,” saying that though he has discovered his bearing, made contributions and attained the mandatory rest age, he still has a lot to offer society, wishing him more years of invaluable accomplishments.

Ogolo, who is married to Mrs. Ibinabo Ogolo, with children, was until his retirement, the Director of Research and Publications, in the State Ministry of Information and Communications, a position he assumed after his term of office as immediate past General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide Newspaper.