Oliver
Mobisson
Oliver
Udemmadu Ogbonna Mobisson (April 23, 1943 – February 18, 2010) was a Nigerian-born scientist, professor, activist, and entrepreneur.[1] He was also a founding Professor of the
Anambra State University of Technology (now the Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University
and Ebonyi State University).
Early life
Mobisson
was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He grew up with his family in Umu Ezike, Edenta in Awo Idemili, the son of a palm wine tapper. As a young boy, he attended St.
Matthews Primary School (now known as Pioneer Primary School) in Imo State and went on to the Christ the King College
(CKC) in Onitsha. His excellence in academics caught the
attention of local US Peace Corps volunteers who recommended
that he pursue university studies in the United States or UK. He reluctantly agreed,
having reservations about the role of the US and UK in colonial Africa. Ultimately, the Nigerian Ministry of Education
granted him a fellowship to attend the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge,
Massachusetts.[citation
needed]
College life and activism
Mobisson
enrolled at MIT in 1965 just before the start of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). Being of Igbo descent, the homeland of the Biafran movement, he had to choose between finishing
his graduate school program or devoting himself to the Biafran movement.[2] His studies gave way to organizing in the
Boston Area a group of Biafran secessionists. Together, they funneled funds and
resources to Biafran-based rebels and publicly protested in the US and other Western
countries to recognize Biafra sovereignty. With his wife, Tama, he founded a
humanitarian organization, Lifeline For Biafra. When the war ended in 1970,
Mobisson remained in the US so he could learn the technical knowledge to
rebuild Nigeria.[citation needed]
Return to Nigeria & introduction of the
ASUTECH computers
He
decided to leave the US in 1981 when he was called upon by the late Professor Kenneth Dike to return to Nigeria and help found Africa's
first computer technology university, Anambra State University of Science & Technology, ASUTECH. At ASUTECH, he
served as head of the Industrial Development Centre (IDC). It was at IDC in
1983 that Mobisson introduced the first Black African commercially produced
line of personal computers and servers, an effort described by then Head of
State, Alhaji Shehu Shagari as "blazing the trail for Nigeria’s quest for
technological development". Commissioned by Governor Jim Nwobodo, Mobisson involved undergraduates at ASUTECH
especially as employees in the development of the ASUTECH 800 and 8000 series
of PCs.[citation needed]
Later career
While
teaching at ASUTECH, Mobisson went on to work in Nigerian telecommunications
industry with NITEL. With the assistance of ASUTECH graduates, NITEL
engineers, and former President Ibrahim Babangida's financial support, he constructed a
communications system that was capable of connecting every Nigerian via
telephones.[citation needed]
Medical issues and death
He
continued his work with NITEL until 1995, when Mobisson suffered a massive stroke, which forced him into retirement. He lived in Norwood, Massachusetts until he died due to a heart attack on February 18, 2010.[3]
Personal life
References
· Dr. ENEH, Joseph .O. "History and Philosophy of Science: An Outline", University of
Nigeria,
Nsukka, 2000. Retrieved on 2010-05-20.
· · THISDAYonline. "Rise of the Biafran Spirit", THISDAYonline, Lagos, January 25, 2004.
Retrieved on 2010-05-20.
· · Oliver Mobisson Memorial "Oliver
Mobisson Memorial", Oliver Mobisson Memorial, Boston, April 3, 2010.
Retrieved on 2010-05-20. Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
#nationalweekofremembrancefordepartedwriters
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