By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
PREAMBLE
With great joy and happiness, I plead with all my friends and associates all over the world to join me on this auspicious day to celebrate the birthday of Prof OGB. Nwaorgu, is a unique brother-in-law, a special friend, a genius, a special blessing to humanity, and the Modern Father of Otorhinolaryngology In Nigeria. A man who has redefined the meaning of humility, the arts of philanthropy, and the rendering of selfless service to humanity. Renowned Medical personnel whose humbleness is infectious.
This man is so special to me for the fact that he is the senior brother to my wonderful wife, Evang. Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Chukwuemeka-Eze and most importantly he was instrumental to my wife’s higher education exploit. Because of his interest in the welfare of my dear wife, he ensured that my wife got admission into the University of Calabar where we met each other and decided to get married.
The above notwithstanding, seeing that I look genuine and honest in my resolve to marry her sister whom he holds so dearly to his heart and considering that as a student without any key finance, he encouraged me in this project that today the world is rejoicing about.
The roles he played over my health, that of my wife and two of my children, Kelechi and Grace can’t be overemphasized.
With the death of my beloved Father In-law, Sir P. N. Nwaorgu, he assumed the position of the father and leader of the Nwaorgu Dynasty and in that capacity visited my family just a few days before this auspicious day of his birthday where we recalled my journey into the family of this Great dynasty and the role he played in actualizing my marriage to my wonderful wife. It was a visit, I will live to cherish for the remaining years of my stay on this planet.
I owe so much to this Great man who informed my reason for asking all my friends and associates to join me in celebrating the 65th birthday of this special Gift to Humanity.
PROF OGB NWAORGU AND THE PRESENTATION OF HIS INAUGURAL LECTURE:
I could recall very vividly the event of July 14, 2016, at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State the gathering of the cream of seasoned academicians, administrators, high-ranking politicians and most importantly, who’s who in the field of otorhinolaryngology in Nigeria. They gathered at the premier university to witness and listen to the inaugural lecture by a man described in some quarters as the modern father of otorhinolaryngology in Nigeria and whose inputs towards the advancement of the study and practice of otorhinolaryngology in Nigeria and the West African sub-region cannot be over-emphasised.
PROF NWAORGU AND HIS FEATS AND HOW HE BECAME THE FATHER OF MODERN OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY:
On this special occasion, Prof Nwaorgu posited: “My research interests/focus has been mainly in the areas of laryngology, head and neck surgery. Over the years, I have addressed the issue of tumours/masses of the head and neck and have described the diagnostic features and rewarding treatment modalities which are novel/modifications of treatment modalities. I have also raised awareness as to the peculiarities of three important malignancies in the speciality in our environment, namely: (a) nasopharyngeal cancer, (b) sinonasal tumour, and (c) laryngeal cancer.
“I have shown in my studies with others how some of the aesthetic and functional restoration challenges facing the otorhinolaryngologist can be resolved by modification of existing techniques. My works have also increased knowledge, awareness and management of upper airway obstruction and corrosive ingestion, which were often misdiagnosed and poorly or inappropriately treated. This is in addition to some of our published works that have highlighted the co-existence of some congenital external ear lesions with brainchiogenic cysts/fistula, and have shown how a meticulous search for these hidden lesions can be beneficial.
“Also over the past few years of my employment in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital as an otorhinolaryngologist, I have addressed issues on hearing loss amongst, other aspects of neurotology. It is worth noting that my brother’s case, and other patients I have encountered during my residency, led to my special interest in laryngology, head and neck surgery and thus, choice of the title of this inaugural lecture, Steady Neck, Stable Head, and Unobstructed Throat: The Otorhinolaryngologist at Work.”
Prof OGBN has contributed significantly to the development of his speciality in the sub-region, having served four years each as secretary and chairman respectively of the faculty of otorhinolaryngology, West African College of Surgeons. He has also served as a member of the Faculty Board in both the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
He is a regular reviewer of several articles in general and speciality journals. In his own right, he is a well-published researcher, teacher and clinical specialist who has successfully supervised 34 postgraduate residents’ research works. Some of his supervised students are now professors scattered all over Nigeria, including one who is presently the Chief Medical Director of a teaching hospital. Through his well-known research in the field of otorhinolaryngology, and head and neck surgery, he has 120 publications to his credit, including published abstracts and 112 full-length original articles in peer-reviewed journals.
A former UICC World Cancer Congress Scholar; former Visiting International Scholar at Simmon Cooper Cancer Institute, Springfield Illinois, and International Fellow American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He has attended over 25 international conferences and several workshops in and outside of Nigeria where he presented high-quality papers. He obtained a postgraduate certificate in epidemiology from the World Health Organisation in February 2000.
This former Professorial Consultant ORL Surgeon to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, between January 2011 and December 2014; as well as a Visiting Professorial Consultant ORL Surgeon to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada since January 2013 serves as an examiner of the Faculty of Otorhinolaryngology fellowship examinations of the National Postgraduate Medical College and West African College of Surgeons. He was the Chief Examiner for the Faculty of ORL, West African College of Surgeons Fellowship Examinations from October 2011 to April 2015.
APPRECIATION BY FMC BIDA
In appreciation for the inputs that Prof Onyekwere George Benjamin Nwaorgu has made in the field of medicine and his selfless service to humanity the Federal Medical Center, Bida in the Niger State of Nigeria on Wednesday 11th August 2021 rolled out the drums to honour this unique man of our generation by completing, commissioning and naming a well-equipped edifice after Prof. OGB Nwaorgu, in an event described by many as epochal.
The event which filled the ancient town of Bida with ecstasies of happiness witnessed Prof. OGB Nwaorgu, a renowned professor of otorhinolaryngology, and head and neck surgery honoured.
The facility was named after the professor in honour of his numerous contributions to the training of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, particularly in Nigeria and across many other African countries. The Professor serves as a trainer and mentor for many trainees and fellows/consultants in the field of Otorhinolaryngology including the former Medical Director of FMC, Bida, who has deemed it fit to name the ENT block after him.
According to the Management of the FMC this new facility will improve health care service delivery, training and research in the field of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery for the people of Niger state and its environs.
PROF NWAORGU AND HIS FAMILY
Prof Nwaorgu is a man of many parts, a man of true faith, a devout Catholic who was ordained a Knight of the ancient and noble order of St. John International (KSJ) in 2003. A truly detribalised gentleman, who is happily married to Rtd. Matron Adenike Nwaorgu is in a union that is blessed with three lovely children, namely: Ayomide Uchenna who is currently doing his Youth Service at Rivers State, Olufemi Victoria and Chimdinma Emmanuella Nwaorgu all undergraduates.
CONCLUSION
Given the foregoing feats, of this international and world-acclaimed otorhinolaryngologist, I plead with you once again to join me to celebrate as he marks his 65th birthday on this auspicious day.
The fact remains that it will not be possible to appreciate all that this man has done to humanity, I pray our great God to bless his new age and grant him more fruitful years for better services to humanity
Congratulations and happy birthday to the unsung benefactor to many in this generation
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt & can be reached via 08022049770 and ezemediaconept2020@gmail.com
