By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
PREMABLE
With great joy and happiness, I plead with 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, 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.
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 West African sub-region cannot be over-emphasised.
PROF NWAORGU AND HIS FEATS:
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/modification of treatment modalities. I have also raised the awareness as to the peculiarities of three important malignancies in the specialty 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 meticulous search for these apparently 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 nothing 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 Otorhinolaryngolologist at Work.”
Prof OGBN have contributed significantly to the development of his specialty 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 member of Faculty Board in both the West African College of Surgeons and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
He is a regular reviewer of several articles in general and specialty journals. In his own right, he is a well-published researcher, teacher and clinical specialist who have 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 in a teaching hospital. Through his well-known researches 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 review journals.
A former UICC World Cancer Congress Scholar; former Visiting International Scholar 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 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 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, head and neck surgery honoured.
The facility was named after the professor in honor 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 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 Adenike Nwaorgu in a union that is blessed with three lovely children, namely: Ayomide Uchenna, Olufemi Victoria and Chimdinma Emmanuella Nwaorgu.
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 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 ezemediaconept2020@gmail.com