ForeverMissed
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His Life

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE...

February 13, 2012


Dr. Igbogbahaka was born Bertram Obuahanna IGBOGBAHAKA on the 22nd of February, 1933 at Enugu-Akwu Achi, to Mr. Odasiri and Mrs. Uchetunata Igbogbahaka.

His name epitomizes the conditions under which he came into the world - Obuahanna states that all “compounds” are not equal, while Igbogbahaka was an encouragement to his father (Odasiri Igbo by name) not to give up.

 ACADEMICS:

 Primary School

Dr. Igbogbahaka attended the Church Missionary School (CMS) at Isikwe, Achi from 1938 - 1945.

Secondary School

He and his family will forever be grateful to Mr. Matthias Ifejika and Rev. S. O. Okolo who were determinant in his attending Dennis Memorial Grammar School (the popular D.M.G.S.), Onitsha, from 1946 - 1951. He had a small stint at a Theological School but left it as soon as he got admission into DMGS.

DMGS moulded Dr. Igbogbahaka’s life. Some of you might know its Alma Mater “Lux Fiat”, which means “Let There Be Light”. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who needs no introduction, once said: “Show the Light, and the People will find the Way”.

In DMGS, Dr. Igbogbahaka was a member (and later Prefect) of Tugwell House, and in the same spirit that brought Bishop Tugwell to Nigeria, he made a vow to himself saying “I will continue to strive to better the lot of the people around me”.

He was also President of the Aba Branch, and National Vice-President, of the DMGS Old Boys Association (DOBA); and received the prestigious DMGS Chike Okonyia Award in 1996.

 University

Dr. Igbogbahaka went on to study Medicine and Surgery at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, from 1951 - 1956. He would later return here at UCH, from Wales, Britain to work as Senior House Officer and Registrar from 1961 - 1964.

 Specialization

Chief Igbogbahaka gained admission into the Welsh National School of Medicine, Cardiff, Wales, Britain; where he specialized in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1956 - 1959. He returned to work there at the Welsh University in various capacities from 1964 - 1967.

 Work Experience (UK)

Ozo Chinyerugo 1 of Achi garnered other experiences in Britain by working as House Surgeon, House Physician and House Officer at Bridgend General Hospital from 1959 - 1961. He also worked as Registrar at St. David’s Hospital, Cardiff, Wales, from 1964 - 1965. To cap it all, Dr. Igbogbahaka worked again as Registrar at the Llandough Hospital, Wales, from 1965 - 1966.

 Work Experience (Nigeria)

Back home in Nigeria, Dr. Igbogbahaka worked as a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Umuahia, from 1970 - 1974; and also with Dr. Ezeikpe at Alaoma Clinic Hospital, Umuahia. He later relocated to Aba where he opened his own hospital - Ucheoma (Specialist) Hospital Limited (UHL), in 1974. He worked here as Chief Medical Director (CMD) until his retirement a few years ago.

 Listing in the International Who’s Who

Dr. Igbogbahaka was listed in the International Who’s Who in Medicine by the International Biographical Institute, Cambridge, England; in 1995.

 
QUALIFICATIONS:

As far as qualifications go, Dr. Igbogbahaka attained the following:

1959 - Licentiate, Royal College of Physicians, London (LRCP);
1959 - Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, London (MB BS);
1959 - Member, Royal College of Surgeons, England (MRCS);
1961 - Diploma in Obstetrics, Royal College of Gynaecologists, England (D. Obst., RCOG);
1966 - Member, Royal College of Gynaecologists, London (MRCOG);
1981 - Fellow, Royal College of Gynaecologists, London (FRCOG);
1982 - Fellow, National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCOG);
1984 - Fellow, International College of Surgeons (FICS).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Dr. Igbogbahaka was of very humble origins. Most of his achievements were due to sheer hard work (he called it “the sweat of one’s brow”), and excellence in performance; which earned him scholarships and sponsorships along the way. His family would have struggled to foot the bills otherwise.

That was why Dr. Igbogbahaka was dismayed and appalled at the seeming new trend in the Nigerian School System that sees every student vacancy attached a price tag! Today, irrespective of how academically brilliant one might be, some Nigerian universities require that they pay an additional sum to study Medicine, Law etc.; and this is considered normal! How would someone like him have had a chance at progressing academically, if these practices had been in place during his school years?

FAITH AND RELIGION:

Dr. Igbogbahaka was a staunch Christian. On arrival at Aba in 1974, he became a member of the St. Michael’s Cathedral. He was instrumental in the building of Holy Trinity Church (HTC) Akwu Achi’s new premises. In so doing, he tried to copy his mentors, Mr. Matthias Ifejika and Rev. S. O. Okolo, who also made strong and relevant contributions to their Church communities. He became a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC - Anglican Communion) in 1996, and was a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).

 
LOVE FOR ACHI AND ACHI PEOPLE:

We must touch on Dr. Igbogbahaka’s ties with his beloved hometown, Achi, and its people. Chief never hesitated to do more than his fair share, in the interest of Achi and its people. He helped and inspired many families, too numerous to mention, not because of any reward he might obtain successively, but simply because he felt that was the right thing to do, and especially because some people had done the same for him.

He had a policy of picking befitting males from various families and training them in school, in a trade or in an art, so that they could in turn train their siblings. Many have been the scholarships awarded by Dr. Igbogbahaka, which raised engineers, medical doctors, mechanics, traders, welders etc; some of whom were practically unknown to him and qualified for his assistance merely because they were very promising but couldn’t progress because of financial constraints. If he could help a relation, or create an enabling environment for a non-related promising prospect to blossom, and in the process make Achi benefit, what more could Chief ask for? He was simply a tool the good Lord was using to help others.

Two attributes transpired when you interacted with Doc - his FAIRNESS and his HONESTY. He never shied away from battles involving the good of Achi and its people. He exerted a lot of political influence to the benefit of Achi people, albeit without necessarily occupying political seats; and actively participated in road maintenance, water provision and rural electrification among other things.

Akwu Achi Youth Movement (A.Y.M.)

Dr. Igbogbahaka came to Aba around 1974 at a time when the Achi meeting in Aba had been disbanded for various reasons. He wouldn’t accept this situation. He mobilized various Achi Citizens, to go round and gather other Achi Brothers to kick-off the meeting again.

He offered his residence as the venue for the meetings, and took care of refreshments, all in an attempt to encourage participation. Some Achi Citizens present at the time recount how Dr. Igbogbahaka instilled in them the importance of being time conscious, and an adequate dressing code.

Dr. Igbogbahaka was Chairman of the AYM meeting for many years, and was of example because he willingly stepped down from the position, without being glued to the “seat of power” as it were. Chief was proud of what the A.Y.M. had become, and very meritoriously received the first ever Akwu Achi Youth Movement (AYM) Community Service Excellence (CSE) Award.

Nze na Ozo

He was a member of the Nze na Ozo Society and held the title of Ozo Chinyerugo 1 of Achi.

SUNDRY:

He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Girls Secondary School, Achi, and the National President of the Enugu-Akwu Development Council, Achi.

Dr. Igbogbahaka also ventured into business and, again, his love for Achi played an important part in his choice of Achi as the site for his bread industry (Vital Foods Ltd. Makers of Alpha - later Alphamax - Bread) and his block industry (Alpha Block Industry). He was also a major shareholder in Masterpiece Chemicals Ltd., makers of Galaxy paints; Diamond Breweries, makers of Monarch Beer; Invar Chemicals, USSSL Security Company, etc.

Rotary International et al.

Dr. Igbogbahaka received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International, and was a member of People’s Club of Nigeria, Aba Branch.

IMMEDIATE FAMILY:

Dr. Igbogbahaka was married to Mrs. Grace Igbogbahaka. They are blessed with 5 children and 14 grand-children (and counting).

Children:

Pastor Mrs. Chinyere Emma-Adamah (Nigeria)
Mr. Chukwuma Igbogbahaka (Italy/ Nigeria)
Mr. Ndubueze Igbogbahaka (USA)
Mrs. Ijeoma Okorie (USA)
Mrs. Oga Obianyor (UK)

In-Laws:

Bishop Emmanuel Adamah
Mrs. Genevieve Igbogbahaka
Mrs. Shawana Durant-Igbogbahaka
Mr. Charles Okorie
Mr. Dan Obianyor

Grand Children:

Victor Emma-Adamah
Anita Emma-Adamah
Shekina Emma-Adamah
Shammah Emma-Adamah
Nissi Emma-Adamah
Chidindu Celio Christopher Igbogbahaka
Frances Chinyere Igbogbahaka
Morgan Ifeoma Igbogbahaka
Adaeze Okorie
Chukwuemeka Okorie
Kelechi Okorie
Chukwuebuka Okorie
J
ason Obianyor
Geoffrey Obianyor

MORAL:

The lesson Dr. Igbogbahaka would like us all to learn from his life is that NO MOUNTAIN IS TOO HIGH TO CLIMB. If he could make it, so can all of us, and so can all of our children; as long as we do not disdain hard work, and we have relentless Faith in God. His favorite teaching to several mentees was that “Labour is the Lot of Man” and “Labour Leads to Success”. We must TAKE ACTION to get things done and NEVER GIVE UP.

Dr. Igbogbahaka lived guided by his Covenant with God as contained in I Chronicles 17:12 - “Ye shall build Me an House, and I will establish thy throne forever.”

LOOKING AHEAD:

The legendary Ozo Chief Dr. Sir B. O. Igbogbahaka was certainly an icon to be emulated!

He recently won the battle against a sickness that weakened him physically but not spiritually. He passed peacefully on the 24th of January, 2012. While we miss his bodily presence, we know he truly rests, and his legacy and love shall live within our hearts forever.