Uriel Paul-Worika was born on April 23, 1938, in his hometown, Ogu in Ogu Bolo Local Council of Rivers State, Nigeria. He attended the Methodist College, Uzuakoli, Abia State between 1954 and 1959. He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan (UI) in 1963 as one of the pioneer drama students.
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In June 1965, he received the university’s degree in Educational Drama, first at Distinction level.
On the recommendation of the external examiner, he was co-sponsored for professional study in the United Kingdom (UK) by the University of Ibadan and the British Council from August 1965 to September 1966.
In April 1966, he completed a postgraduate program in Theater Management and Productions at Nottingham and in September of the same year, he completed an advanced study certificate in television production from Teddington.
Paul-Worika’s work experience was extensive. But here’s an outline. He was the Theater Business Manager, Theater Department, University of Ibadan (1967-1970.)
He was the Senior Information Officer and Head of Culture in the Rivers State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism from July 1970 to October 1972; First Secretary, Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture from October 1972 to June 1974; and Director of Arts and Culture, Rivers State, from July 1974 to June 1978.
He was a part-time lecturer in Theatre, University of Port Harcourt (session 81/82). While at UI as Theater Business Manager, he initiated and produced the first long-running English TV drama series in the theatre” on Western Nigeria Television (WNTV 1967-1970), the program preceded the Television Authority’s “Village Mayor” Nigerian (NTA) from the two quarters.
Since 1978, he has been a Consultant for Theatre, Media Production and Tourism, using the company Sete Productions in Nr. 34, Nembe Road, Remuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt, as his platform.
His contributions to the development of theater in Rivers State were significant.
He was a playwright/director of the First Prize winning play – “Hidden Truths” – at the second All-Nigerian Arts Festival in Ibadan in 1971.
Again, for seven years between 1971 and 1977, he was the coordinator of Rivers State participants in the Argungu Fishing/Tourism Festival of former Sokoto, now Kebbi State of Nigeria.
Within the same period, he initiated and organized the Rivers State Schools Arts Festival, whose impact was widely felt in Rivers State. From 1972 to 1975, he was a member of the National Advisory Committee for the establishment of the National Theater of Nigeria, as well as the Artistic Director/Programme Coordinator for the official opening of the National Theater of Nigeria on September 30, 1976.
Also in October of the same year, he was the Artistic Coordinator of the National Tour sponsored by the Federal Government by the IPI-TOMBI Musical Dance Company of South Africa, the tour was to express solidarity with the oppressed blacks in South Africa.
Apart from being a member of the Planning Committee for Nigeria’s participation in FFSTAC 77, Paul-Worika, also in 1977, was the Coordinator of the ODUM water show in Okrika, Rivers State, one of the three approved side shows for FESTAC outside Lagos.
As an executive producer and playwright he produced and directed about 50 episodes of the popular comedy series “Basi and Company, NTA Network TV from ABS Studios Enugu.
In June 1988, he was director of the Nigerian cultural troupe in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the West Indies.
The larger delegation was led by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and then Minister of Information, the late Prince Tony Momoh.
He was a consultant on several documentaries and feature films, including ‘King Jaja of Opobo’ produced in 1999 and ‘Hidden Treasure by Prof. Henry Bellgam in 2006.
A man of many parts, Paul-Worika did not limit his contribution to theatre. He was a man of many parts. He also contributed to the promotion of football administration, politics and community service in Rivers State.
For instance, he was the Vice Chairman/Team Manager of the Sharks of Port Harcourt Football Club from 1979 to 1983, as well as the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Rivers State branch from 1990 to 1994.
He was also Member, Cultural Protocol/sub-committee, Nigeria 99 Word Cup.
In the field of politics, he was the Rivers State Organizing Secretary of Political Parties-NPP (1979), GNPP (1979-1981) and SDP (1991-1993).
He was also the Senatorial candidate and leader of the United Party of Nigeria (UPN) 1982-1983 for Rivers East.
In the field of community service, Paul-Worika was a pioneer chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Okrika clan from 1994 to 1998. He was also a member of the national consultative sessions of Ijaw Elders from 2003 to 2008 as well as Member Executive, Rivers State Ijaw Consultative Assembly (RICA) from 2006 to 2008.
He donated his Sete Arts Center, No. 64, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, for use as the first Press Center of Rivers State, under the leadership of Bobo Brown of Rivers NUJ 1981-1982.
He received the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) award in 1992 “in recognition of his dedication to high ideals and exemplary services to humanity”.
Married with children, an active member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) since 1993 and fluent in Okrika, Kalabari, Igbo and all dialects of Ogu.
He also had a working knowledge of French and Yoruba. He was also well-travelled, having visited 25 countries spread over four continents – Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
In Europe, he visited Britain, France, Sweden, Holland, Italy and Austria. In Asia, he had been to India, South Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Kuching and the Philippines.
In Africa, he visited Algeria, Togo, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Benin and Zambia.
In America he had been to Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Antigua, Barbados and the United States of America.
There is no doubt that Chief Uriel Atamunoibi Paul-Worika was carried out with special respect for the development of theater and culture in general in Rivers State.
