The traditional ruler of Nandom Traditional Area, Upper West Region, Ghana, HRH Edmund Nminyem, says Prof. Anezionwu Okoro, the author of: “Village Headmaster,” will always remain relevant in the history of Africa.
He spoke on Tuesday in Enugu during the Night of Tribute organised in the honour of Okoro who died on January 20.
Nminyem described Okoro as the “greatest dermatologist in Africa”, adding that he was a pan-African par excellence who believed in the unity of Africa.
According to him, Okoro has done a lot in his literary works and will not die in the history of Africa, in science, politics and in humanities.
He said: “We should immortalise and celebrate him and if we have few people like him, Africa will be a great continent scientifically, politically and otherwise.
“He was so humble, very great in scientific world or poetic and each time I wanted to give up, Okoro would encourage me.
“He would do all he could to help his friends, from which I benefited immensely.”
Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, the owner and founder of Memphys Neurosurgery Hospital, Enugu, equally described him as a man with exceptional humility, stressing that he never saw Okoro quarrel with anyone.
Ohaegbulam said: “Okoro was a unique person who knew how to resolve disputes.
“He served in very high positions as a director in the oil industries and nobody ever challenged his transparency and honesty.
“He was a dedicated and committed teacher.
“Medical field will miss him on the treatment of skin diseases.”
The Founder of Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle, said Okoro was more than a medical doctor to persons with albinism.
Epelle said the literary icon started treating them as far back as 1964 and continued to treat them until his death.
He said: “He was very inspiring, has touched lives and anyone with albinism that he treated comes with clean and smooth skin.
“He was the second dermatologist in Africa, a father and a mentor.”
In a sermon, Venerable Emeka Ezeje of All Saint Anglican Church, Enugu added that Okoro was an eminent Anglican who lived his life for others, a lovely human being who rendered service to humanity.
According to Ezeje, late Okoro wrote more poems than those in the university.
He said: “He is a socialite who loved mingling with others, had his tentacles were widely spread as he married from Edo and often reaches out to humanity, which was the gospel of Christ.
“He has touched a lot of lives and I pray that his children will continue the legacies that he left for them.”
Dr. Adaobi Nwoye, Lecturer, Enugu State University of Science and Technology and Founder Coal City Literally Form, Enugu, added that Okoro mentored her writing, saying: “We are grateful that he lived an impactful life.
“I will miss his sense of humour, wisdom and kind advice.”
Speaking on behalf of his alma mater, Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association, Dr. E. E. J. Okereke said he was one of the best students the school produced.
According to Okereke, he lived the motto of the college: “You before I,” because he always placed others before himself.
One of his sons, Ogbonnaya Okoro, expressed satisfaction that his father lived a fulfilled life, saying he should be celebrated as he wrote children and medical books.
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Okorosaid: “My father was a gentleman. I will miss his gentle nature and his storytelling,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Anezi Okoro was the author of many works of fiction, medicine/health, environmental sciences and ecology.
Some of his works include: One Week One Trouble, The Village School and The Village Headmaster.
Prof. Anezi, as he is fondly called, has also written over 200 poems.
