Biography

Late Prince Toritseju Martins Etuwewe was born on the 11th of June, 1970 in the city of Warri to Late Prince Daniel Utolo Ekengbuda Etuwewe of Tselu, Bateren community in the Warri South-West Local government Area of Delta State and Princess Grace Otonloye Omatseye Kollo of Oboghoro and Deghele communities in Warri-North Local government Area of Delta state, Nigeria.

He had his primary education at Omatsola Primary school and Ogiame primary school in Warri from 1975 – 1981. He then went on to Yonwuren college, Ugbuwangue in Warri from 1981 -1986 for his secondary school education.

While awaiting admission to the university, he enrolled into a typing class where he later taught Mathematics, typing and elementary short-hand as a freelance staff with Ezechine Secretariat Studies in Warri from 1987-1989. He graduated from the university of Benin in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Banking and finance. He is a trained and certified FirstAid/CPR officer with certification in Environmental health and safety.

He worked as a clerk with the Warri Traditional Council, Warri under the supervision of Late Chief J. N Iyinboh; Secretary to the Traditional Council in 1988.

While working there he was spotted by Mr. Godwin O. Tosanwumi the senior Area Manager of Gulf Agency and Shipping (Nig.) Limited who employed him as Boarding Officer, acting as Agent for foreign vessels at the Nigerian sea ports, Refinery Jetties and crude oil terminals. He was later employed as a contract staff with Texaco Overseas (Nig.) Petroleum Company as a Documentation/crude oil movement clerk at the Pennington Oil Terminal from 1997 to 2002. Following the merger between Chevron Oil Company and Texaco Overseas (Nig.) Petroleum Company (TOPCON), he was placed under the employment with Gladwyn Investment Limited, an Oil servicing company to Chevron Nigeria Limited as Crude Oil Accountant and Laboratory Assistant from 2002 to June, 2012 after which he was converted to Export Assistant under the employment of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

He was baptized into Christ (The Church of Christ) in October 1988 upon accepting the saving Gospel at Grey Congregation, Ugborikoko, Warri in Delta State. He became one of the youngest brothers to mount the podium which influenced and gave birth to the young generation of teachers at the Grey street church. A firm believer in practical Christianity, Toritseju Martins Etuwewe was very active in hospitality and benevolence work to the grace of God, touching the lives of several people who came in contact with him.

To become a better Christian, he took theological courses with Southern California School of Evangelism graduating with distinctions in 1992 special interest in Elders and Deacons. He also did correspondence courses with the World Bible School where he got various certification. In 2000, he became a certified graduate of theology from the International School of Biblical Studies, Cape Town, South Africa. He has served as a teacher of the word of God at congregations of the Lord's Church in Delta, Edo and Ondo states of Nigeria. He also encouraged and cultivated this quality in the lives of his children who are currently active workers in the Lord's church. He was pivotal to the establishment of the church at Ekpan, Warri and the church at Ewah road in Benin City, the latter of which he remained a member until his passing.

Dubbed "The Counselor", he was well known as a strong influencer of many especially the eligible youths to venture into marriage legally, aiding in the navigation of cultural, financial and spiritual challenges they may face of which recorded successes and even chaired many weddings. Fondly called "The only Elder in Edo State", he was a source of leadership, counsel and intercession sharing in the burden of many facing both physical and spiritual challenges within and outside the church. A diarist who loved to read and write, exploring cities by air, land and sea, visiting 28 states of Nigeria including the FCT Abuja in fulfilment of an adventurous lifestyle.

He married Aghogho Bisco Toritseju (nee John Ogbe) an educationist in April, 1992 and they are blessed with five sons.

Adieu dad, until the resurrection morning.