Adieu, Dr Chijioke Nwosu - 1947 to 2015
The Nigerian Civil War of 1967 – 1970 affected our education negatively by drawing us back for the three years the war lasted. He was in class 5 and I was in class 4 in the famous Methodist College Uzuakoli when the war broke out in 1967. In 1970 a good number of us returned to the school to finish our secondary education. Those of us in class 4 were promoted to class 5 to take the WASC exam in 1970.
The WAEC exam in 1970 was cancelled (the notorious expo 1970) and we repeated the exam in 1971. It was in 1971 that I became close to him – a fair complexioned young man with a lot of brain and beauty. He had no difficulty passing his West African School Certificate exam with Grade 1 and passing the very competitive entrance exam to the University of Nigeria Medical School. It was in our lower Sixth Form that we caused a stir in the school. it was a tradition for the school Management to appoint ‘Old boys’ i.e. those who passed through the school from classes 1 to 5 school prefects, along with a few new students who had come from other schools for their Higher School Certificate (HSC) Education. When the names of prefects for the 1971 /1972 session were announced, Chijioke Nwosu, my humble self and one or two other old boys conspicuously missing in the list. This revisionist attitude and departure from the norm caused a lot of disaffection among the students as it appeared that the Uzuakoli discipline and moral rectitude which we had imbibed in the school for 5 years was being disregarded in favor of relatively new HSC Students whom Uzuakoli had not passed through. The students carried placards and school activities were disrupted for some days. Some of us who were seen as ring leaders of the student’s demonstration were sent on suspension for some months. In the end reason prevailed, we were recalled and appointed prefects. But during the impasse Chijioke Nwosu passed the examination to the UNN Medical School. This was a great relief and source of joy to us and he mocked the school management saying that their disregard for him by not appointing him prefect was a blessing in disguise as he had now gone into ‘better life’. “To hell with their prefectship”. We recalled this episode with relish whenever we met or discussed our days in Methodist College Uzuakoli.
Dr Chijioke Nwosu was born on September 27th, 1947, as the fourth out of the 10 children of the Methodist Family of Pa Elder Matthew Madukwe Nwosu and Ma Elder (Mrs) Nwano Nwosu, of Amaedukwu Nkpa, Okpuhu Nkpa Autonomous Community, in Bende L.G.A Abia State. He was born in Ndoro Ikwuano L.G.A. while the father was a Head Master of the then prominent Methodist School, Ndoro, Oboro. He had his Elementary School education at Okpuhu Nkpa Central School, Lohum Central School, Ozuitem Central School and Uzuakoli Practicing School respectively. While in Uzuakoli Practicing School, he passed the entrance examination into the famous Methodist College Uzuakoli in 1963, from where he got his West African School Certificate. While in Secondary School, he was very popular and sociable. He was a good athlete and also won the All Round Medal (VICTOR LUDORUM) in 1971. He also participated actively in Church Activities.
He obtained the degree of M.B.B.CH and became a Medical Doctor in 1978. Between 1978 and 1979, did House Job in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. His National Youth Service was with Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt between 1979 and 1980.
In 1984, he established a 25 bed Hospital, UDO POLY CLINICS at No. 9 and 10 Chief Ejims Street Rumuobiakani, Obio, Port Harcourt, where he practiced Medicine as the Medical Director until his demise.
Chief Dr Chijioke Nwosu was born, baptized and grew up as a Methodist, hence his very deep involvement in the affairs of Methodist Church of Nigeria during his lifetime. He contributed immensely within Abia State in Community Rural Development in the areas of Electricity, Water, Road Network and Public Health which earned him awards, honors and Chieftaincy titles.
In 1995, he contributed handsomely during Wesley Methodist Church No. 1 Harbour Road, Port Harcourt Church Building Extension Project for which his name was clearly written on the Honors list. He was a strong member of the Men’s Fellowship, assisting in funding various Church activities especially new Church sites, Baby Wesley Church extensions and donated funds for Evangelism. From 2002 to 2004, he single-handedly started and completed the construction of the Church Tower at his home church, Wesley Methodist Church, Okpuhu Nkpa. HONOURS AND AWARDS In 1996, he was honored by Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association (UMCOBA), Rivers State Branch, which conferred on him the prestigious title of NNAGU II, THE MAYOR OF UMCOBA and in 1998 was conferred with the Distinguished Old Boy Award (DOB) by the National Body of the Old Boys Association.
He received Chieftaincy title of UGWUMBA 1 of OBORO Community where he was born during the father’s sojourn in Ndoro, Oboro in 2000 as Headmaster and in year 2002 he was conferred with the title of ONWA NETIRI OHA 1 OF AMAEGBUATO NKPA. In 2003 he was conferred with the title of CHINYERE UGO 1 OF AMIYI OBILOHA. He was also invested with the TRUE FAITHFUL OF GOD (TFG) by Rt Bishop Br. C.N. Ede, then Bishop of Uzuakoli Diocese in the same year.
On April 3,2005 during the “Recognition of Service and Award of Merit” by the Methodist Church he was conferred with OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF JOHN WESLEY (OJW), by his Eminence Sunday Mbang, CON, Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria.
Chief Dr. Chijioke Nwosu was a very active member of Professional Bodies including Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) and Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), attending many Local and International Conferences in the process. In his bid to alleviate the sufferings of the less privileged he gave free Medical Care to many patients that could not afford to pay their Hospital bills.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Stella U. Chijioke Nwosu and four children; Dr (Mrs) Udodirim Isirima, Dr Ikenna Chijioke Nwosu, Ezioma Chijioke Nwosu, Obialor Chijioke Nwosu, a son – in-law, two grandchildren and host of other relations.
Since 2007, he had a running battle with Kidney disease for which he underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2008 in India. We all thought he had overcome this burden. But it was not to be as it failed in 2011. He’s been managing with this health challenge since then until he bowed to the debilitating illness on July 27, 2015.
Rest in peace, Osuala Martins, May the good Lord whom you served diligently through your very many humanitarian activities receive you in His Bosom.
As your remains are laid to rest on Saturday November 21, 2015 may the angels of the Lord surround you. The UMCOBA Community misses you.We miss your jokes, smiles and conviviality. We were even wondering whether you ever frowned as your daily demeanor was smiles, smiles and smiles. We shall resume the smiles when we meet to part no more.
Adieu Doc, Nwokoma.