By Ikenna Samuelson
It was our Lord Jesus Christ who told us in the book of Luke chapter 4
verse 24 that “a prophet is never accepted or honoured in his own
country”. Despite all the supernatural accomplishments of our Lord
Jesus Christ; His healings, his teachings, His signs and wonders, His
numerous works of ingenuity, His lifestyle’ ,His godliness etc, he was
never honoured at home, in Nazareth in his life time.
Nevertheless, years later, Jesus Christ, the name that is above every
other name has become the most talked about name in the world.
In Nigeria, it appears history is almost about to repeat itself, in
the person of Professor Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro.
Before I continue, let me confess that I have a difficult task here.
This is because the personality I am about to unveil to the world is
not somebody that can be captured in a mere article by any writer.
Perhaps, a big book of about 10,000 pages will be needed to accomplish
the true personality of Professor Anezi Okoro. All the same, I will
make a venture to talk about this man, this genius, this miracle of
ingenuity, this institution, this human conglomerate, this academic
and intellectual deity.
Just as our Lord Jesus Christ asked the disciples, “Who do people say
I am” and “who do you think I am”, before Simon Peter provided the
answer; the question on the lips of many people is, who is Professor
Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro?
As I make an attempt to unveil this “human edifice” may I plead with
the reading public to be patient with me, as I am embarking on a very
long journey.
Professor Anezi Okoro was born on the 17th of May 1929 to a Nigerian
father and mother. He is a native of Arondizuogu- Imo State, Nigeria.
As a dynamic, self-motivated, proactive innovative and disciplined boy
Anezi Okoro had ambition to be great. To actualize this ambition, he
went to school which is the true road map or module to greatness and
fame. In 1935, Anezi Okoro enrolled at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic
Misson School in Ndiuwankonye Arondizuogu.
Between 1936 and 1937, he attended Methodist Group School Lohum,
Uzuakoli near Umuahia, in the present day Abia State. Between 1938 and
1940, Anezi Okoro completed his primary education at Methodist
Demonstration School at Uzuakoli. After his primary education, he got
admission into the prestigious and famous Methodist College Uzuakoli
in 1941. He completed his Secondary education in 1945 and came out in
flying colours. For his lower and upper six education, Anezi Okoro
attended the famous Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, between
1946 and 1947. As should be expected, the genius came out in flying
colours, and got admitted into the famous University College Ibadan in
1948. He studied Medicine and graduated in 1952. Not satisfied with a
first degree in medicine, Professor Anezi Okoro got admitted into the
famous University of Bristol, United Kingdom in 1953 and completed his
Medical Programme in 1956. He had earlier completed a three month
Housemanship programme at the Kings College Hospital, Denmark H.L
London from October 1952 to December 1952. His unquenchable quest for
medical knowledge took him to the Institute of Dermatology, St John’s
Hospital London, and another Post Graduate Studies at POST-GRADUATE
Medicine School Hammersmith Hospital London. This took place between
1961 and 1962. Professor Anezi Okoro consolidated his quest for
medical knowledge at another postgraduate medical school, Royal
Infirmary Edinburgh, Scotland between 1962 and 1963.
Professor Anezi Nwakwo Okoro has the following degrees and
certificates to his name:
1. 1947- Cambridge Overseas School Certificate, grade I with exemption
from London matriculation
2. 1956 – MB, CH, B (Bristol)
3. 1956- LRCP (London) MRCS (England)
4. 1963- MRCP (Edinburgh)
5. 1971 – FMCP (Nigeria)
6. 1976 – FWACP
7. 1977 – FRCP (Edinburgh)
Armed as a Medical Authority, Professor Anezi okoro was set to explore
the world by showcasing his ingenuity.
MULTIPLE PERSONALITY TRAITS
A variable has two sides; the converse and the obverse. It is the
fusion of the two sides that gives one the true impression or identity
of that given variable. Conversely, human personality is also like a
variable, because the converse and obverse side of an individual are
loaded with negative and positive attributes, depending on who is
doing the evaluation or depending where the evaluator belongs.
From my socio-political barometer I make bold to state that Professor
Anezi Okoro has established himself as a constant vis-avis, as A good
family man, A successful intellectual, An educationist par excellence
and above all a generous phenomenon par excellence.
Let me take a look at these constants one after the other.
A. AS A GOOD FAMILY MAN
Professor Anezi Nwankwo Okoro got married early in life to his wife,
Dr. (Mrs) Eseche Ayodele Anezi Okoro (Nee Olumese). His wife is
equally an authority in medicine. She is presently a Senior lecturer,
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Ebonyi State University
Abakaliki. They are blessed with five geniuses as children, namely.
Chinyere Ofure – 17th April 1966
Onuaku Omonefe – 15th September 1967
Chukwuma Osagie – 31st January 1968
Anezi Ejodamen – 20th August 1970
Ogbonnaya Eromosele – 17th May 1972.
As should be expected, all the children are doing well in their chosen
professions.
B. AS A SUCCESSFUL INTELLECTUAL
The intellectual initiatives of Professor Anezi Okoro are not in
doubt. Describing him as a genius is equally not in doubt. Perhaps, a
breakdown of his intellectual exploits will confirm his level of
ingenuity.
1. Pictorial Handbook on Common Skin Diseases, published in 1981.
2. Common Skin Diseases
3. Diseases of children in the sub-tropics and tropics. 4th edition
(1991), contribution.
4. Clinical tropical dermatology 2nd edition (1992), contribution
5. Paediatrics and child Health in a Tropical region.
SOME OF HIS PUBLISHED MEDICAL ARTICLES INCLUDES:
1. Follicular Hyperderatosos- 1962
2. Skin Tests and their use in clinical diagnosis – 1964
3. A pattern of pruritus due to chloroquine – 1964
4. Skin Disease in Nigeria – 1973
5. Tinea Versi color (NOT ECZEMA) – 1973
6. Albinism in Nigeria: A clinical and social study – 1975
7. Body, mind and skin psychological aspects of dermatology – 1975
8. Abnormal visual pathways in the brain of a human Albino (Brain
Research) – 1975
9. Manpower problems in Tropical Dermatology (TANZANIA) – 1980
10. Epidemiology of skin diseases in Africa. In proceeding of the
International workshop in Dermatology in Basic health services West
Berlin-1988
11. Preemptive diagnosis of leprosy -1991.
SOME OF HIS PAGE READ AT MEDICAL CONFERENCES AND SEMINAR INCLUDE:
1. A trend in superficial fungal infections 1st congress 0th
international society of tropical dermatology Naples to Italy-June
1964
2. A Brigade attack on leprosy UNICEF and LEPRA leprosy, seminar,
Enugu –Nigeria April 1973
3. Leprosy control in Nigeria, CIBA – GEIGY leprosy symposium Kano –
Nigeria April 1974 under the chairmanship of Dr Stanley G. Browne
4. Advances in management of fungal infections, Association of
Physicians of Nigeria conference Lagos –Nigeria, February 1975.
5. Leprosy: The challenges that we must answer. Nigeria Medical
Association Seminar, Ibadan Nigeria April 1975
6. The problems of the Albino child: International pediatric
conference, Ibadan Nigeria February 1976.
7. Skin cancer in Albino, International Training Workshop on
Dermatology for Primary Health workers, Arusha – Tanzania, November
1985.
8 Pre-emptive management of leprosy 7th international congress of
Dermatology, New – Delhi, India February 26 to March 2, 1994
9 And so on and so forth.
From the above works of the genius, it is now convincingly clear that
Professor Anezi Okoro has paid his dues, as far as the World of
Medicine is concerned.
(C) AS AN EDUCATIONIST PAR EXCELLENCE
It will be most unfair if Professor Anezi Okoro is not described as an
educationist par Excellence. At over 86 ½ years, this Miracle of
Ingenuity still lectures at Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki in
Ebonyi State, where he is the Professor of Medicine. It is therefore
safe for me to conclude that Professor Anezi Okoro has trained more
doctors in Nigeria than any other Professor of Medicine, living or
dead. Conversely, using Rationality Calculus (both Integral and
Differential) one can prove that over 50% of practicing medical
doctors in Nigeria passed through Professor Anezi Okoro’s tutelage.
This is because he has lectured medicine in Nigeria for over 55 years;
and can therefore be described as the “Doctor of Doctors”. Also,
because some of his students are today professors in various
Universities across the globe, Professor Anezi Okoro should rightly be
described as “Professor of Professors”
(D) AS A LITERARY GIANT
Although Professor Anezi Okoro is a Professor of Medicine and
Consultant Dermatologist, he is also a renowned author; who has
written several literature books (NOVELS) and a number of poems. One
can therefore argue that medicine lubricates his writings. His
Literary works include
(1) One week one trouble
(2) Village Headmaster
(3) Double Trouble
(4) Village Boy
(5) Hands on Doctor etc
(6) Several poems
(7) Eclipse fever
(8) Febechi in Cave Adventure
(9) Anezi Okoro
(10) Flying Tortoise
(11) Parish Earth
(12) And so on and so forth.
As a class one (now called Junior Secondary one, JS1) student of
Government Secondary School Owerri – Imo State in 1982, I read all of
Professor Anezi, Okoro’s literature books. Our then literature school
teacher also taught me and my classmates’ poems written by Professor
Anezi Okoro.
Conversely as a literary giant, Professor Anezi Okoro has dominated
the literary world to the extent that with the demise of our revered
Professor Chinua Achebe almost 3 years ago, he is now the current
“OGBUEFI OF AFRICAN” Literature. Professor Anezi Okoro did not stop at
mere writing literature books and poems, he moved further to translate
four books of legendary William Shakespeare into Igbo language, namely
(1) Romeo and Juliet (ii) Macbeth (iii) Twelveth Night (iv) Merchant
of Venice. Infact, the first edition of the ground breaking translated
books of Shakespeare into Igbo language, entitled “AKUKU UFODU
SHAKESPEARE KORO”, was published in 2005 by Fourth Dimension, an Enugu
based publishing outfit owned by Dr. Arthur Nwankwo. It is therefore
clear that Professor Anezi Okoro has contributed to the early
education of not only Nigerian Children through his many literature
books and poems, but also children across the globe.
Aside his medical contribution and literary works for the growth and
development of humanity, Professor Anezi Okoro is also a great
nationalist par Excellence, who wants Nigeria as a country to excel to
greater heights. As a patriot, he gives Federal and State Governments
selfless advices on how to move the country forward. It is on record
that it was Professor Anezi Okoro who wrote the proposal for the
citing of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. He wrote the
proposal in 1976 and was approved by the then Federal Government.
Today, Abuja as the capital of Nigeria competes with major country
capitals across the globe.
At this point, let me inform the reading public that despite Professor
Anezi Okoro’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s Children
through his works, despite his contributions to the development and
advancement of the medical profession in Nigeria, despite his
contributions to the citing of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja,
despite his ingenious contribution for the growth of humanity; he is
yet to be honoured both by the Federal Government and Imo State
Government (his state of Origin). Let me add here that Professor Anezi
Okoro is not begging to be so honoured. After all, our Lord Jesus
Christ told us that “A Prophet is never accepted or honoured at home”,
Luke chapter 4 verse 24.
Nevertheless, Professor Anezi Okoro is already a global phenomenom. He
has been recognized at the global level. Let me open the minds of the
reading public.
(1) He is a member of the International Society of Doctors in Literature.
(2) He was listed in 1981 as among the International WHO IS WHO of
intellectuals’, volumes II and III, by the International Biographical
Centre, Cambridge England.
(3) He was listed in 1980-1981 MARQUIS WHO IS WHO in the world, 5th edition.
(4) He was listed in 1980-1981 as among the WHO IS WHO in World of Oil
and Gas, financial times, London – England.
(5) He was also listed as among Men of Achievement in 1979.
Professor Anezi Okoro is a member of the following Learned Societies
and Professional Organizations.
(1) He is a member of African Association of Dermatology. He was the
foundation Vice President from 1981 to 1986. Between 1986 to 1991, he
was the President.
(2) He is a member of the West African College of Physicians.
(3) He is a member of the Association of physicians of Nigeria
(4) He is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (from 1957 to date)
(5) He is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists.
(6) He is a member of America Academy of Dermatology
(7) Member, American Dermatological Associations
(8) Member, International Society of Dermatology.
(9) Member, International Leprosy Association
(10) Member, Albino Fellowship, Scotland and United kingdom
(11) Member, the Albino Foundation in Nigeria etc.
The genius was also a visiting Professor to various Universities
across the globe. Perhaps, few examples will prove me right.
Between 1987 and 1988, Professor Anezi Okoro was a visiting Professor
to the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In 1987, he was a
visiting Professor to the Medical College of Georgia, Aubusta,
Georgia, United States of America. In 1988, he was a visiting
Professor to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
of America.
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES AND OTHER SERVICES IN NIGERIA
The contributions of Professor Anezi Okoro to the growth of Nigeria’s
University Education is not what will be completely captured in this
article or indeed in any written piece. Nevertheless, I will make an
attempt to point out that most Universities in Nigeria have not only
recognized the ingenuity of this living legend but have gone ahead to
honour him with the following responsibilities.
(1) Between 1975 and 1991, Professor Anezi Okoro was a member of the
Senate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
(2) From 1992 till date, Professor Anezi Okoro has been a member of
the senate, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki.
(3) He is a member of the Post-Graduate Studies Committee, University
of Nigeria Nsukka.
(4) He is member of the Ceremonials Committee, University of Nigeria Nsukka.
(5) He was chairman, committee on Investigation of Areas of waste – 1978.
(6) He was a member of the Senate Committee on the Award of honourary
degrees, University of Nigeria Nsukka.
(7) He was Head of Departments in the college of medicine, 1975-1977
(7a) Community Medicine, 1975-1977
(7b) Medicine, 1977-1979, and from 1985 – 1987
(7c) Medical Micro-Biology – 1984.
(8) He was Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, and Director of
Clinical Services and Training, University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital Enugu, 1980 – 1982.
(9) He was chairman, senate Scholarship Committee, university of
Nigeria Nsukka, from 1983 to 1987.
(10) He was also a member of the National leprosy control committee.
(11) He was a member of the National formulary committee.
(12) Member of the National Enterprises Promotion Board from 1977-1980.
(13) Member, National Advisory Council on Education for Citizenship in 1978.
(14) He was Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
between 1977 to 1981.
(15) He was member of the Planning Committee of the Imo State College
of Technology, now known as the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.
(16) He was member of the Planning Committee, College of Medicine, Imo
State University, Owerri.
(17) Professor Anezi Okoro was the AHIAJOKU Lecturer in 1988 who spoke
on “CHUKWU KA DIBIA”, a look into Igbo Traditional Medicine.
Now that the story of Professor Anezi Okoro, our Genius of inestimable
value is becoming very interesting, the reading public will be eager
to know his employment and working record.
(1) Between January and September 1948, Professor Anezi Okoro was the
Biology Teacher at Metro-politan College Onitsha Anambra state,
Nigeria.
(2) Between 1956 and 1957, he was with the University college Hospital
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
(3) From 1957 to 1958, he was the Medical Officer, General Hospital Lagos State.
(4) He was the medical officer at Creek Hospital Lagos in 1958.
(5) Between 1958 and 1960, he was the Medical Officer of Victoria and
Vamfe Hospital in Southern Cameroons.
(6) Between 1960 and 1963, he was the Medical Officer General Hospital Lagos.
(7) Between 1963 and 1965, he was the Medical Officer (special grade
in Dermatology), General Hospital Lagos.
(8) Between 1964 and 1966, he was Associate lecturer in Dermatology,
College of Medicine, University Of Lagos.
(9) Between 1965 and 1966, he was Consultant Dermatologist, General
Hospital Lagos.
(10) Between 1966 and 1972, he was Consultant Dermatologist Ministry
of Health, Enugu.
(11) Between 1972 and 1974, he was Senior Consultant Dermatologist
Ministry of Health, Enugu.
(12) Between 1967 and 1974, he was Senior Lecturer in Medicine
University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
(13) Between 1974 and 1975, he was Reader in Medicine, University of
Nigeria (Enugu Campus)
(14) Between 1975 and 1991, he was Professor of Medicine, University
of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
(15) Between 1989 and 1995, he was Professor of Dermatology, King
Faiscal University, Damman Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(16) Between 1997 and 2003, he was Professor and Head of Department of
Medicine, Ebonyi State University Abakiliki.
(17) Between 2003 and 2005, he was Provost College of Health Sciences,
Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki.
Presently, Professor Anezi Okoro is the Professor of Medicine, Ebonyi
State University, Abakiliki. He is also the Editor in-Chief Ebonyi
Medical Journal and member of Senate Ebonyi State University.
Now that I have finally unveiled this “Intellectual-Edifice”; is it
not proper that his home state government (Imo) honour him? Is it not
right for the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour him? It is very
unfortunate that no street or road in Abuja has been named after
Professor Anezi Okoro, despite the fact that he wrote the Proposal for
the citing of the Federal Capital in Abuja. It is indeed very
unfortunate and sad that despite his selfless contributions, Professor
Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro has been allowed to remain unsung and perhaps
forgotten.
Nevertheless, I am very happy that the Enugu State Government has
taken the bull by the Horn towards celebrating and immortalizing this
living legend and genius, Professor Anezi Okoro, now that he is still
very “young” at 86 ½ years. The Enugu State Government has set the
ball rolling. On the 29th of October 2015, Professor Anezi Okoro will
be celebrated in Enugu State.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will be the Special Guest of
Honour. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu is the
Guest of Honour, while the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His
Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will be the Chief Host. Professor
Chinedu Nebo, former Minister of Power, will deliver the keynote
address.
As Enugu State stands still on the 29th of October 2015, to celebrate
this “Intellectual Deity”, Professor Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro, it is my
fervent prayer that other State Governments in Nigeria, including the
Federal Government follows suite in thanking Almighty God for giving
us this rare Gem and Miracle of Ingenuity.
I rest my pen.
Citizen (Dr) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha FCAI
Former Senior Special Assistant on Media
Immediate Past Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties
Imo State House of Assembly
07032934037
8th October 2015
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