By Amos Okioma
Professor Nelson Brambaifa whose name literally means I will never forget for over the years has justified his given name going by his glowing pedigrees , conduct and relationship with many persons and family in various positions of authority bestowed on him including the present appointment as the Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari that has been attracting commendations and congratulations by concerned Nigerians both within and in diaspora as evidenced from the prints and electronic media and of course the social media.
He is known as one who has always remembered his friends and relatives have never, like many would do, allowed his exalted position to alienate himself from old friends . He treasured old relationships and this stands him out . Even in his present position with its attendants protocols, security implications his house and office have always remained widely opened to every body that needs his attention and assistance. It is therefore no exaggeration that the good lord has been elevating him from one important position to another ever since he came to planet earth.
Born to the family of late Mr London Brambaifa , a marine pilot in Nigerian Port Authority ( NPA ) late Mrs Cecilia Brambaifa ( Nee Ndiomu ) of a rural community, Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area of the present Bayelsa State in the heart of the Niger Delta Region in 1949.He started his primary school education at St Thomas Primary School , Ibusa. Thereafter , in pursuit of further education he equipped himself with the General Certificate ( O/L ) and General Certificate ( A/L ) between 1962 and 1969 at St Finbars College Akoka – Lagos and at the Federal School of Arts and Science Onikan – Lagos respectively.Upon completion, he gained admission to the Free University in Berlin, Germany 1970 and graduated with Distinction in his PHD in Pharmacology in 1980.
During these periods, he had received several honors and awards meritoriously .
They included, KAAD Award for Brilliant Foreign Students ( 1974 – 76 ) the Free University of Berlin, DAAD Award and Fellowship for Young Researchers ( 1977 – 1978 ) at the Free University, Berlin, Charles -PFizer Travel Fellowship ( 1980 ) in Free University of Berlin ( 1984/85 ) in University of PortHarcourt .He had also received the Alexander Von Humbolt Senior Research Fellow in Pharmacology tenable in Germany at the Research Laboratories of Schering AG Berlin / Berkamen , Department of Pharmacology between 1987, 1992 and 1994 .
He also had a remarkable and impressive working experience .
Between 1975 – 1977 he worked as Graduate Assistant in Biochemistry at the Free University, Berlin, Research Assistant in the Research Laboratories of Schering AG Berlin, 1980 – 1982 he worked as Post -Doctoral Fellow at Research EUCLAF, LOIRE , Valley, France and between 1982 – 1984 he worked as Senior Research Fellow C- Pfizer research laboratories Connecticut , USA, Department of neuroendocrinology and neuropharmacology. Back to Nigeria he worked in University of PortHarcourt as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Pharmacology and became a professor of Pharmacology in 1996. He also consequently worked as the Dean Students Affairs in University of PortHarcourt and was the pioneer Dean , Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences , College of Health Sciences, University of Porthacourt. The’ PortHarcourt Boy ‘ later in 2000 – 2004 became the pioneer Provost College of Health Sciences , Niger Delta University, Wilberforece Island, Amasoma.
Professor Nelson Brambaifa also belongs to many professional bodies. He is a Fellow , Nigerian Institute of Management, Fellow, New York Academy of Sciences , Fellow, American Association of Advancement of Sciences, Fellow, Endocrinological Society of Germany, Member, West African Society of Pharmacology , Member , Knights of St . John International and a Justice of Peace.
His meritorious public service which spans over forty years include Chairman, Board of Directors , Delta Rubber Company , PortHarcourt from 1984 – 1990, Chairman , Board of Directors , University of PortHarcourt Demonstration Secondary School , 1992 – 1995 and was also the pioneer secretary , Movement for the creation of Bayelsa State. As a man without any dull moment, he was appointed Chairman, National Council for Arts and Culture , Abuja between 2014 – 2015 and November 2016 he was member representing Bayelsa state in the board of the NDDC before he was recently appointed the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC.
He is also a devout Christian and patron to many church units and a very productive academic who has to his credit several conference proceedings, monograms and journal articles and books. He has also attended several workshops and a lot of presentations at local and international levels and published several books , monograms , articles in international and local refereed journals.
He is married to Dr Anna Preye Brambaifa and the marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren .
