Kingdom

Dr Tonbarapagha Kingdom was born on Saturday 19^th February 1972 at Lokoja, in today’s Kogi State, into the family of Mr and Mrs Kingdom Daniel Barakabo of the Inebiegberigba Dynasty of Polaku Town, Gbarain Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Schools attended:

• He attended Army Children School, Ashanti Baracks, Apapa, Lagos (1978 - 1984).
• He also attended Tin – can Island High School, Tolu Complex, Lagos (1984 – 1989).
• Read Fisheries Technology (National Diploma) at Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1991 and 1993.
• He proceeded to Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he graduated with a first class BSc degree in Fisheries in 2004 and subsequently bagged a Master of Science degree in Fisheries Biology and Management in 2007 from the same institution.
• He obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Fisheries and Hydrobiology at the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt in 2012.

Career progression/Contributions to Fisheries Development:

• Dr Kingdom was appointed as a Graduate Assistant into the Department of Fisheries, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island in 2005.
• And rose to the rank of Associate Professor in 2017.
• Editor of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Bayelsa Chapter 2015 – November 2017
• Assistant National Secretary of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) November 2012- October 2016
• State Secretary of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Bayelsa Chapter August 2006 – November 2015
• Vice President (Training and Research) of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), October 2016 – October 2018
• Member of Nigerian Environmental Society
• Member of National Shellfisheries Association (NSA)
• Secretary of Local Organizing Committee, 27^th Annual National Conference/Biennial General Meeting of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State November 2012
• National Conference Coordinator, 32^nd Annual National       Conference/Biennial General Meeting of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held in Awka, Anambra State Oct. 2017
• Project Coordinator of Maximising Agricultural Revenue in Key Enterprises and Targeted Sites (MARKETS II) Project, funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which trained 3, 000 fish farmers in Edo and Delta States (September 2015 – July 2017).
• Presently, the Acting Director of Students’ Industrial Working Experience Scheme (SIWES) Unit, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State.

Notable achievement:

• Student’s Union Government Award for Meritorious Service in Recognition as a Member of Student’s Representative Council, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos (1993)
• Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Undergraduate Programme in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (2003/2004)
• Chief Stephen Chukwu–Akwu: Best Graduating Student in Fisheries, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (2004)
• University of Lagos Alumni Association, Port Harcourt Prize: Best Graduating Student in Agricultural Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (2004)
• Deans’ Prize: Best Graduating Student in Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (2004)
• Fisheries Society of Nigeria’s Award of Appreciation in recognition of commitment and contribution to the Society and Fisheries Development (2014)
• The Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)/ Kenninsontwikkelingsprogramma (KOP) Fellowship to attend an International course on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, Netherlands (2018)
• Fisheries Society of Nigeria’s Meritorious Award of Service as Vice President, Training and Research (2016-2018) of the Society (2018)

Conclusion:

Dr Kingdom is married to Mrs Edith Ebimoboere Kingdom who is also an Agricultural Economist. His hobbies include cooking, travelling, reading and playing soccer.