Prof. Etisiobi Mark Ndiokwelu was born on the 25th of November, 1945 in Achina, Aguata L.G.A, Anambra State to the family of Ezendiokwere Ezeoguine of Umuezeomara, Umulolo, Achina...
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Prof. Etisiobi Mark Ndiokwelu was born on the 25th of November, 1945 in Achina, Aguata L.G.A, Anambra State to the family of Ezendiokwere Ezeoguine of Umuezeomara, Umulolo, Achina and Ahiaukwa Ezendiokwere of Umagugeshi Okpala of Agbelu village, Akpo both of blessed memory. He was the third child among the surviving children and the only surviving son of his mother which prompted his mother to name him “Etisiobi”.
Etisiobi was a man who defied all odds and challenges in his sojourn in life so far. When he was born, in the mid-forties, nobody gave him a chance to survive not even his own parents. They had no hope of seeing him live beyond a few days or months, how much more, many years!! With that state of mind, they gave him a name which could be best described as consolatory for them. God in his wisdom had decreed that the child will live to wipe away their tears. The child did not only grow but has in many ways multiplied the Ndiokwelu’s dynasty.
He had his primary education at the St. Charles Catholic School, Achina (Oluo) from 1950 to 1958 where he obtained a distinction in the first school leaving certificate examination in 1958. Thereafter, he proceeded to Holy Cross High School, Umuawulu in 1958 on completion of his primary school for his secondary education. He completed it in 1963 and enrolled into the famous College of Immaculate Conception in 1964 for his Higher School Certificate. He left CIC in 1965 but could not immediately go to the University due to uncertainties of the time which eventually led to the Nigeria-Biafra war.
After his higher school, he embraced teaching due to financial challenges and the aftermath of the war. He had to work to earn a living for himself and his family for a few years before seeking admission into the University. He taught at St. Michael’s Secondary School, Nimo; Basden Memorial Grammar School, Isulo; County Secondary School, Ishigwu Umana and African Girls Grammar School, Onitsha.
He eventually gained admission into the University of Lagos in 1971 where he studied Dentistry and graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1976 with a distinction in Community Dentistry. His National Youth Service Corps was waived (on grounds of age and marital status). He therefore worked as a House Officer and Medical Officer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital from 1976–1978. He later became Brigade Dental Officer, Ministry of Defence from 1978 to 1988.
In 1979, he was introduced to Miss Chika Ezeani by his friend Ichie Okey Okpalugo who was equally Chika’s uncle. Ichie Okey was then frequenting the UNTH Enugu to encourage his cousin Chief L.B. Ezenwa, then an inpatient in the ward. L.B had wondered aloud why his brother-in-law had not come in contact with this lady despite his exhaustive search for a life partner. The proverbial “going to Sokoto to find what is in your Sokoto”. Ichie chose the role of helping his friend shoot the cupid’s arrow. The friendship gradually blossomed into a loving relationship. They got married on September 15, 1980 and produced six boys who are now all married. To his darling wife, Chika, he was the daughter of a clergy man in the Anglican Communion, perfecting everything to the glory of his name.
Not resting on his oars, he travelled to the United Kingdom in 1985 in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. In 1987, he bagged a Master of Science in Dental Public Health from the University College London and had a Diploma in Teaching Course Development in Higher Education almost concurrently from the Institute of Education, University of London Centre for Educational Development.
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In 1988, Etisiobi began his academic career at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus as a Lecturer. He served the University as Head of Department, Preventive Dentistry from 1989–2005. He was the Pioneer College Dean, Dentistry from 1989–1990 and College Dean School of Dentistry from 1998–2000. He served the university meritoriously in various capacities and rose to the level of a Professor of Dentistry before his retirement in 2010. Within this period, he was an Honorary Consultant Dental Surgeon to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and a visiting Professor, Federal University of Technology Owerri.
Etisiobi was the first in many spheres: 1st Dental Surgeon in Achina Town, 1st Dental Surgeon in Old Aguata – Three Local Governments of Orumba North, Orumba South and Aguata, 1st Igbo Professor of Community Dentistry, First Professor of Dental Public Health in Old Anambra State, 1st and Only Professor of Community Dentistry in South-East and South-South States of Nigeria. He is also a Fellow of Nigeria Dental Association and a distinguished fellow, Nigerian Therapists Registration Board. He received numerous awards and honours and was appointed as the patron of many organisations during his lifetime.
Etisiobi was a man of many parts; he loved highlife music, gospel music and literature. William Shakespeare was his literary world. His children will forever remember all the Shakespearean and Latin quotes he made sure they memorized. He was a dedicated member of his church, St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, UNEC where he was a strong member of the CMO and the immediate past Chairman of Good Shepherd Zone, UNEC. He loved watching football and various soap operas with his children.
He was a very strict disciplinarian who knew what the bible said about sparing the rod and spoiling the child. He valued education and made sure all his children were educated, attended good schools and also spoke very good Igbo and English languages. His only regret was that none tried to learn French. He gave his family the best he could.
When daddy became ill in 2012, everyone thought that it was all over but the Almighty God spared his life and blessed him with more years to get closer to his creator during which time he was able to witness four of his six boys get married and see five of his grandchildren. His son’s wives became the daughters he never had and he virtually adored them and they reciprocated the love.
Prof. Etisiobi Ndiokwelu was a peaceful man and passed on peacefully. We are consoled by one of his numerous write-ups:
“Everybody from one of his numerous writings understood the metaphysical law governing happiness but very few understand the metaphysical law governing it. Happiness is the only commodity that increases by sharing. The more people you make happy the happier you become.”
He eulogized Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Prof. Dora Akunyili. To him they were not famous because of wealth or longevity but because they still live on the lips of men even after death. Etisiobi will continue to live on the lips of men because throughout his life he tried to do God’s will.
Just like Nelson Mandela, you will want us to tell the priest not to take a long time at the funeral and not to mention that you received numerous awards and honours. You would want him to simply say that you tried to love, tried to train children of relatives and non-relatives and to lend a helping hand everywhere you could. You will want it said today that you tried to do God’s will.
This is how you will want to be remembered. You will forever be our hero and a mentor to many. Most importantly, you will continue to live on the lips of men for those small things you did to spread happiness.
