Samuel Joseph Cookey...

 


 

How would you describe the demise of an educationist, historian, administrator and above all, a great Nigerian? Certainly, no amount of carefully constructed phrases or sentences would do justice in this instance. Possibly, because it is not about how well anyone writes or how creatively anyone could twist the English language. It is how deeply, one knows and could picture the life and times of Dr. Samuel Joseph Cookey, particualrly his role in a developing Nigeria.
 

Quite naturally, different people are given to place him differently and from different perspectives. But however he is placed, the conclusion are likely to be the same. This is where the death of Dr. Cookey may differ from anyone else even if they had died under the same circumstance.
 

However, for Cookey, his is one death that came not just with a shock, but with a heart that is heavier than normal, though aged 89. Cookey was the first son of Papa Joseph George and Mama Taba Cookey. Born on the 25 of January in Opobo town, Rivers State, Cookey, having started his life in Opobo with his parents later left for Free town, Sierra Leone where he had his secondary education. And later in the early 40s, he continued his education at Achimota, Ghana where he taught.


Soon, he left to study abroad where he had BA in History from London University as well as post graduate certificate at the Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Little wonder, many will remember him as "Education Cookey" having spent most of his life in the education environment. As life progressed, Cookey joined the civil service and rose to become the Chief Federal Adviser on Education just as he was Chairman, Nigerian Educational Research Council from 1967 till he retired in 1971. He was at a time, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and also of the University of Benin. He was Chairman, Emeritus of Evans Publishers Nigeria Ltd between 1980 and '83. Cookey was awarded the national honour of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 1979 when President Olusegun Obasanjo was military Head of State. He had been awarded Honourary Doctorate degree by the Silliman University, Philippines in 1965. The Rivers State University also gave him the PHC award in 1986.


Beyond the sphere of education, Cookey would be greatly remembered as the Chairman, "The Political Bureau", a commission of inquiry of which he chaired from 1986 till '87 during the era of the former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). Cookey also served as member, Constituent Assembly between 1988 and '89.


Besides, he was been with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London from 1972 to '77 as director of the education division. He had served on the executive board of UNESCO between 1962 and 1970 and was constantly, guest of many governments across the continents. Put succinctly, Cookey remained one outstanding Nigerian whose contributions to the growth and development of the country cut across board. He would be remembered greatly by his contributions to the upliftment of the educational sector for which he is famous. A perfect rest to a man of peace, honour and integrity..
 
 
September 2003