Stephen Temegha Olali
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Stephen Temegha Olali | |
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| Born | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Education | Nigeria Certificate in Education (Education, History and Social Studies) |
| Alma mater | University of Ibadan University of Port Harcourt |
| Occupation | Academic, Historian, Statesman |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Historical research on Minikpiti (Iwofe) and Niger Delta history |
Stephen Temegha Olali was born in Lagos, Nigeria, bred in Port Harcourt and in the towns of Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri Kingdoms of the city-state of Nembe, and blossomed into an Academic and Statesman in Yenagoa the capital of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.[1]
He obtained the Nigeria Certificate of Education in Education, History and Social Studies, and the Bachelor of Education in History of the University of Ibadan, through the Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in 1992 and 1995 respectively.[1]
In 2002, he earned his Master of Arts in History, and in 2011, his Doctorate degree in History, both at the University of Port Harcourt.[1]
For his Bachelors degree, Professor Stephen Olali researched the History of Minikpiti, a small town popularly called Iwofe, at the banks of the River Sombriero in the Eastern fringe of the Niger Delta.[1]
Towards earning his Masters degree, Professor Olali's research was on the "Sociopolitical, Economic and Cultural Characteristics of the Eastern Niger Delta City-states and the Growth of the Anglican Church." [1]
Professor Olali's Doctoral dissertation investigated fifty years of the practice of History in Nigeria. It is entitled --- "History and Historians in Nigeria: Contributions, Problems and Prospects --- 1955 - 2005." [1]
In 2012, Professor Stephen Olali became the first person to be appointed Chief Historian of Bayelsa State, thus becoming the first person, scholar and professional historian to be appointed the Historian Laureate, by the title of Chief Historian, in Nigeria and on the African Continent.[2]
Prior to his appointment as Chief Historian of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Professor Olali was a pioneer lecturer at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State. He also became the first Senior Research Fellow of the Institute for Niger Delta Studies of the Niger Delta University and is currently a Visiting Research Professor at the Institute.[3][1]
In 2020, Professor Olali became the first professional historian to hold a tenured position as a Professor of History in a medical university in Nigeria [4][5]. He lectures the compulsory course for all freshers entitled "Nigerian Peoples and Culture" in the Center for General Studies, Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He also lectures two courses - "The History of Medicine" and the "History of Community Health." His current research focus being the History of Medicine and Medical History, thus exemplifies his versatility as a General Historian.
Professor Olali is a Life Member of the Historical Society of Nigeria, and had been the National Vice President of the Society for the South-South zone of Nigeria.[2][6] He is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Archivists.
Professor Olali is an Archivist and Records management expert. He is a historical photographic and ethnographic materials exhibition expert.[7]
Professor Stephen Temegha Olali established a History-based firm (Herodotus Ventures). It specialises in organising historical exhibitions and in writing community, institution and family histories as well as biographies for fees. By virtue of the firm and its business, he describes himself as a History-prenuer, the first person in the world to describe himself as such.
His publications include:
"From Indigenous Culture to the Introduction of Christianity: The Eastern Niger Delta City-states" (2002)[8]
"History of Christianity in West Africa: The Nigeria Experience - 15th to 20th Century" (2002)[9]
"Africa in History: Narrative of Peoples, Places and Precedents" (2005)[10]
"16 + 34 = 50: The Life and Works of Stephen Temegha Olali at Fifty" (2019).[1]
Besides these, he has many solo authored books, several edited books, biographies and journal articles.
His professorial Inaugural Lecture titled "Of God, Humans, the Arts and the Sciences: What is it in History?" was delivered at the Bayelsa Medical University on Thursday 22nd August, 2024. It was the second Inaugural Lecture in the seven-year history of the university.[5] [4]
He is a poet, arts collector and tenor soloist. He loves reading, watching documentaries on YouTube, and enjoys bicycle-riding and swimming. He is a practising Christian and is happily married with children.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Olali, Stephen Temegha (2019). 16 + 34 = 50: The Life and Works of Stephen Temegha Olali at Fifty. Port Harcourt: Centre Niger Delta History and Humanities Inc. ISBN 978-9785656732.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://ng.linkedin.com/in/stephentemeghaolali
- ↑ olali, prof stephen t e m e g h a. "Prof. Stephen T E M E G H A OLALI - Independent Researcher". independent.academia.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Olali, Stephen Temegha (2024). BMU 2nd Inaugural Lecture - Of God, Humans, The Arts & The Sciences: What is it in History?. Bayelsa State: Smatts Publishing House.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 admin (2024-08-31). "Prof Olali delivers Professorial Inaugural Lecture at BMU, lauds Diri for resilience - Mangrove Pen". Retrieved 2025-08-28.
- ↑ "Scholars Portal". scholarsportal.info. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
- ↑ olali, prof stephen t e m e g h a. "Prof. Stephen T E M E G H A OLALI - Independent Researcher". independent.academia.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
- ↑ Olali, Stephen Temegha (2002). From Indigenous Culture to Introduction of Christianity. Port Harcourt. ISBN 9783552600.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ Olali, Stephen Temegha (2002). History of Christianity in West Africa: The Nigeria Experience - 15th to 20th Century. Port Harcourt: Voice of Arts Pubishers. ISBN 9783552651.
- ↑ Olali, Stephen Temegha (2005). Africa In History: A Narrative of Peoples, Places and Precedents from Pre-Historic Times. Port Harcourt: Voice of Arts Pubishers.
External links
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