During his time at GSCS, Turner distinguished himself and became a pioneer student. Having completed his secondary education in 1976, he was placed in the second division of the West African School Certificate Examinations. 

 

In September 1977, Turner gained admission to study History at the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport). However, before going to Uniport, he worked for nine months as a clerk in the Audit Department, Rivers State. Though not convenient, but propelled by the zeal to succeed in life, he proceeded to enroll at the University on study leave without pay, not even knowing how he would support himself in school for the period of his studies. While in school he was a student union activist, a motivator, a leader especially for the Ijaws, and above all, a vociferous advocate for justice on campus. In 1981, his determination and commitment paid off as he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Honors Degree in History. He later undertook his National Youth Service Corps at Baptist Grammar School, Ajawa in the old Oyo State; and was reabsorbed into the Rivers State Civil Service on return from service in June 1982. In 2009, he furthered his education by going to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho where he bagged a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA), specializing in Cost Management. 

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Middle Life and Adulthood

 

Career

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In January, 1983, Turner gained an Administrative Officer position and was posted to the then Rivers State Ministry of Works.  Having shown competence and dedication to his duties; on December 3 1983, he was promoted to be a Coordinator. As a Coordinator, he displayed robust leadership qualities as he championed the liquidation of the assets and liabilities of the defunct Rivers State Transport Corporation. This was Turner’s premiere assignment and the one that revealed his leadership competencies and capacities. Additionally, Turner was Secretary to several Boards, some of which included the Rivers State Executive Council Joint Negotiation Committee on the take-over of the Liberation Stadium by the Federal Government (1989), and the Sharks Football Company Limited (1988-1993). From 1990 to 1992, He was appointed Acting Head of Sports Development Department, Rivers State working alongside the Ministry of Health, Social Development, Youth and Sports department. In all these leadership capacities, Turner distinguished himself by serving the people of Rivers State dutifully and meritoriously.

 

In October 1996, Bayelsa State was created and Turner naturally transferred his services to the new state, and would expectedly, at various times play significant roles in the young State’s bureaucracy. From 1998 to 1999, Turner was made Chairman, Bayelsa State Program Coordinating Committee of the United Nations Development Program, UNDP. In 1998, he was also appointed member of the Bayelsa State Local Government Pensions Board; and the Committee on the Rationalization of the Bayelsa State Civil Service. Following that, the admired, respected and well-revered Turner was in October 1998 made the Permanent Secretary, General Services, and was also in September 1999, deployed to the Ministry of Works and Transport in the same capacity. While in office at this time serving as a Perm Sec, his astute leadership skills and competences gained him the name, “The Super Perm Sec”.

 

In 2000, the “Super Perm Sec” Turner was appointed Chairman, Administrative Panel on the Bayelsa State Transport Company. Also, in September 2001, he served as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health where his leadership impacted the staff and affairs of the ministry positively. In 2003, Turner was Secretary of the Panel on Formulation of Employment Policy for Bayelsa State Government; and was also the Secretary to the Panel on the Recognition and Reclassification of Chieftaincy Stools in Bayelsa State. In March 2006, Turner’s versatility, administrative and leadership acumen gained him a new position as the government pulled him out of the Ministry of Health to mastermind the evolvement of a new internationally envisioned Yenagoa Capital City. As the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Bayelsa State Capital City Development Authority, BCCDA, he pulled true to his billing, steering and setting unprecedented records and achievements within one year of the existence of the Authority.

 

Awards and Honors

 

Turner’s diligence and dedication has won him several accolades and awards from public and professional organizations. In 1976, he received the award of the Best Civil Servant of the Year in Rivers State. In Lagos State, the People of the Izon Ethnic Nationality recognized him with an Award of Excellence. Subsequently, in recognition of his numerous achievements, his Alma matter - the Unique University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association honoured him with a Merit Award. The Bayelsa State Government, through the Ministry of Justice was not to be undone in the recognition of the King as a true advocate and dispenser of Justice when he was appointed a ‘Justice of the Peace (JP)’. Only Recently in 2018, King Amalate Johnnie Turner was honoured with the national honour of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

 

The Royal Father belongs to several professional organizations. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Administrators (CIPA). He holds the Certificate and the prestigious Gold Medal Award of the Certified Professional Fellow of Public Administration, (CFPA). In recognition of his philanthropic activities, he was conferred with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Rotary International and has also been deservingly decorated as a Peace Ambassador. King Turner is also a Fellow of the Certified Institute of Cost Management of Nigeria (FCCM), an award bestowed on him for exhibiting traits of transparency, accountability, efficient and cost-effective management of human and material resources.

 

 

 LEGACY

Current Life, Fatherhood and Impact

 

Current Life

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Presently, King Turner (KT) heads the Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), steering the ship of the grade A parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Transportation - and a key parastatal in the Government’s seven-point agenda. King Turner is a tested and a visionary entrepreneur who has been involved in successful private sector project initiatives. He is a leader who among his contemporaries is easily regarded as first among equals. He is a man of sound etiquette, values and pays attention to whatever duties that are entrusted to him with incredible vivacity.

 

Fatherhood

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On the other hand, he is a devout Christian, a dutiful husband, a loving father and a family man.  He is known to have demonstrated warmth, care and love to his wife, seven children, relations, and friends. His life is suffused with warm humility, deep compassion and unmatched benevolence to humanity. This is attested to by most of his contemporaries and associates.

 

Impact

 

As a revered proven bureaucrat, an epitome of excellence and a "Super Perm Sec", King Turner (KT) has made a mark particularly in the area of general administration, personnel management and policy formulation.

 

 In general administration, Turner naturally transferred his services to the new state (Bayelsa State), and would expectedly, at various times play significant roles in the young State’s bureaucracy. In personnel management, Turner served as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Sept 2001. During this period, it was recorded that his human resource and personnel management skills impacted the staff and affairs of the ministry so positively and innovatively that most of the employees wanted to remain in office to work with him even when their time were due. In policy formulation, he championed the liquidation of the assets and liabilities of the defunct Rivers State Transport Corporation. In 2003, as the Secretary of the Panel on Formulation of Employment Policy for Bayelsa State Government; he created and spearheaded various Job creation initiatives which were aimed at eradicating and empowering the youths and unemployed. Turner believes that creating millions of jobs will reduce crime, foster economic development and promote national transformation.