Elder Statesman Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani was a rallying point for Igbo Unity at Greenbelt MD USA

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Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani: Elder Statesman and Intellectual Giant

It is with the deepest sorrow that the Mbadike of Canada announces today, Sunday, the 19th of August, 2007, the passing of their Patron and a great Igbo son, Nigerian Legend, Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani, MD. (F.R.C Path). We mourn and deeply regret this passing which marks the end of an era in the Nigerian Political History and leaves a whole in our hearts that will be impossible to be filled.
 
Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani was born 90 years ago into the distinguished family of Reverend Canon Jeremiah and Madam Nwetulu Ikejiani of Obeagu Nri in Awka District of Anambra State Nigeria.

Dr. Ikejiani obtained a B.Sc. with honors from the University of New Brunswick in 1942. He then attended the University of Chicago where he obtained a MSc. in 1943. In 1948, he earned his M.D. from the University of Toronto and became licentiate of the medical council of Canada.
 
Later that year, Dr Ikejiani returned to Nigeria and then proceeded to serve his nation in several capacities. He has been Medical Director of Pfizer laboratories; one of the founding fathers and members of the governing council of the University of Nigeria; lecturer in pathology University of Nigeria; Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the council University of Ibadan; Consultant pathologist University teaching hospital Ibadan; and director of national clinic laboratories Ibadan and Lagos.

In 1960 he was appointed chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and pathologist-in-chief of the Nigerian Railway medical center Lagos. Dr Ikejiani has also served as a member of the board of directors of Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Coal Corporation. Between1962-1966 he was president of the Nigerian medical Association.

During the Civil War, Dr Ikejiani was director of laboratory services in Biafra, and Ambassador Plenipotentiary for the head of state of Biafra. Since 1971, Dr Ikejiani has lived in exile in Canada. He has had an equally distinguished career in Canada serving as the Pathologist-in chief and Director of laboratories for Glace Bay General and community hospitals; New Waterford consolidated hospital and Consultant Pathologist for the Regional hospital of Sydney. He served as president of the medical staff in Glace Bay from 1984-85 and as Medical Director of Glace Bay Community hospital from 1987 - 1993. Since retiring in 1997, Dr. Ikejiani has spent much of his time writing – a novel and his memoirs.
Dr Ikejiani was a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (F.R.C. Path.) London, England. He is also a Fellow of the Medical College of Pathologists Nigeria, and a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. In addition he was a member of the Canadian Medical Association, The Canadian Association of Pathologists, the Canadian Association of Medical Microbiologists, and the Canadian College of Microbiologists. He was also a member of The Canadian Society of Clinical and Investigative Medicine and has a life membership at the New York Academy of Sciences. On August 1996, the Canadian Medical Association elected him to senior membership.

He has also been honored with honorary degrees of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from Lincoln University, Lincoln Pennsylvania, University of Nigeria Nsukka and a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) from University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Emmanuel Anozie President, Mbadike of Canada.

Alex Ike Okeke
Akaekpuchionwa N'Ukpor
Tel: 443-845-0452

 

The last of the great arguaunuts: figures of Igbo 20th century modernity. I call them the bridge generation. They knew: they knew Odinani/Odinala and the knew the ways of the new world. They wore both worlds comfortably, disdaining none, in the truest Igbo idea of the world: one does not stand in one spot to view a masquerade. They did not stand in one stop. They were dynamic. They were the last generation of true Igbo, who saw the future, embraced, and built modern Nigeria with the sheer force of their will. Andrew Okechukwu Ikejiani: acolyte of the great Zik, scientist, politician scholar, nationalist and humanist: if you died poor in this life, I would say, when next you come, may your chi give you wealth; if you died without meaning, I would say, when you come again, may you come with a clearer mind; if you died young, I would say, the next time may you live long: but you died well, and so I say when next you come, may you return well, just as your last coming. Tell our great ancestors in the world beyond, that the land they left for us; the shrines we consecrated in their memory; the great culture they left with us, are slipping through our fingers. But they should keep their anger from us. They should send us, not impotent ash with nothing between their thighs, but more men like you: proud, sane, full of the milk of wisdom, and of great love for the Igbo, and indeed all humanity:

Ikejiani nwa Aro-Okeigbo
Ah! Ebelebe egbue le o!
Anyi ahula ihe ka ubi anyi  g'ere ni oba -
Ihe biara ije a whu onwu o -

Ala Eriela nka:
Igurube! Di anyi ji eje mba
ga-ga l'ogwu! Onwu ama Eze
Onwu ama ome ogo -
Onwu ama kpakpando ututu
onwu ama ijiriji ogu
onwu ama omezuru Igbo
Onwu gbara Igbo gharii!
Akwa ejula Igbo n'onu

Ikejiani - Agu n'onwe ya!
Asi m gi lawa!
Lawa n'udo. Elele anya n'azu
Ode jim jim lawa o!
Ike anyi jiri jide ani - laa n'udo

-Obi Nwakanma

I came across the name Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani through his autobiography, Nkemdilim. I recall a scene in the book where Nkemdilim, the student from Nigeria, discusses Josephine his American girlfriend’s love as it is being dangled in his face. This time he prepares to go home, to Nigeria. In Nigeria, unlike in the USA, society won’t regard some selected women as protected objects, set aside strictly for the appreciation of a select few. Josephine his girlfriend cannot understand why he insists on breaking off a wonderful relationship and leaving. But Nkemdilim won’t look her in the eyes. He has to side step any obstacle between him and what he always looked forward to, living in a great African country. His eyes are focussed on his return home and in ways he will contribute to the country’s advancement. Not for Josephine or anything in North America will he give up his assured place in his society. His loyalty remains with the people back home grooming him for an important role in the near future. The facilitator of his scholarship (obviously Nnamdi Azikiwe) is now too busy making his argument for the freedom of his people. Letters from Azikiwe have become fewer. Their people had not long ago been articles of trade. They had been human wares. Nkemdilim reminisces that slavery which had been defended in the bible was thought evil, after all, because it now hurt England’s economy. Trade between France and Haiti and their reliance on slave labour negatively affected British commercial interests. So, when Wilberforce rose up in parliament to announce his campaign, it was thought wise to give him some hearing and encouragement. Therefore, the evil trade was abolished. This is what the fictional character Nkemdilim taught me.

In the colonial times, Nkemdilim’s ancestral land was a public utility, owned by European invaders. By birth, he ought to have a legal right over the place, and it was natural that the ownership reverted to the original settler. He and his people never voluntarily committed any power of administration to anybody. They never made anybody a trusty over their land. Well, Nkemdilim’s journey to Nigeria was pleasant. Shortly on arrival, he discovers a well packaged fraud. Nkemdilim points out that the country called Nigeria was arranged not to ever work. It was meant to mock the African in his face. The best solution he thought was an agreed dismantling of the illegal structure. On the road to Nigeria’s independence, there had been elections that were heavily rigged in favour of a section of the country, a domestic colonialism imposed on the people. Nkemdilim and his people are dismayed by the audacious rigging of the elections. There is unrest in the Middle Belt region, and especially in the Western part of the country where a state of emergency is declared. Anarchy reigns, and the people wish and pray for an overthrow of the government. Everybody knows that a coup is inevitable. When the coup comes, there is jubilation all over the country. This is where the book ends, and about when it was published. A civil war followed. 47 years after Nkemdilim’s publication, Dr. Ikejiani has been vindicated over and over. He always shook his head at the futility of making the impossible work.

Onye nkuzi, you taught me a lot, for which I shall be ever grateful. Somehow, Josephine in whose eyes you found love may have been right. She must have eventually heard those awful stories from Biafra. She must have seen pictures of those starving children. And some of us may be wondering why you had to be forced back to North America. We know you will find more happiness wherever you are now. Adieu, Mazi Okechukwu Ikejiani. Nwoke oma. Your passing away reminds me of another great Igbo who passed on only recently. His North American story began like yours, though aborted prematurely. He too held your views. His name was MCK Ajuluchukwu.

Obu nwanne nke gi,

Chinedu Ogoke.

Austin Nwaka (austinnwaka@yahoo.com) wrote:
My brother Obi Nwakanma,
I love this piece you wrote in honor of this fallen heavy weight, especially the one in Igbo language. I join every Igbo person to wish this juggernaut a safe journey to his maker.
He came, he saw, and he conquered. May his soul rest in peace. 
But, ihe mkparam anya hari bu his Aro-Oke-igbo connection, please could you explain?
Igbo si na onye ajuju anaghi (adi) efu uzo.

Ndewo,

Austin Nwaka

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Dear Alex:

It is always good to keep proportionality and relevance in focus in all we do.  Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani is a unique landmark in Igbo history. He single-handedly gave Ndi-Igbo certain edge in the institutions with which he became associated, especially Nigerian Railways.  The photo you put up of him from the Greenbelt gathering is not in consonance with his profile.  He was used by persons with ulterior motive to try to undo what Ndi-igbo were building.  Anyone who knows a thing about Ikejiani knows that that was a fraud on the man and what he represents.  And we all know how that panned out.

Ken Okorie
[Every business decision has legal implications]

On Aug 23, 2007, at 3:16 PM, igbobasics@aol.com wrote:

http://www.igbobasics.com/index.html

VENI,VIDI,VICI

Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani was one of those early Nigerians who loved his country and loved the young people his country was producing and even more importantly was willing to go out of his way to encourage these young men and women. In the 60's it seemed as if he were in
every page of every newspaper. The stories ranged from his life style (I love cars) to his management of the Nigerian Railways, to his work at University of Nigeria and Ibadan. But what I remember of him from then was his lectures. Just before the Nigerian Independence, it was common for the elite to engage the populace in political discussions or what I may now call grass roots mobilization. The venues could be anywhere, such as the British Council, Street corners, stadium, town halls, etc. During those lectures the "lecturers" explained the reasons why we seek independence and what the youth (most of the attendees from my recollection were youths) should do to move the process forward. It was through one of those lectures that I met Dr. Ikejiani face to face. He was preaching the gospel of independence but diverted to the need for the youths to obtain a good education. Looking back, I think that he diverted because a group of students wearing their college badges joined the open air lecture. Whatever caused the diversion, the point he made was that we need an educated populace
if the soon to come independence was to mean anything. I soaked on in a sponge like fashion Dr. Ikejiani's lecture and made it a habit to go to any of his lectures. Zik's chain of newspapers usually carried information on these lectures providing the lecturers and venues and topics.

The only other person who had that kind of motivation for me was Dr. Chike Obi (the elder). After the war many Biafran young men drifted to Lagos in an effort to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives and in particular what to do with our "Cambridge Certificates"
or our higher school certificates (GCE/AL). There was a hotel (my memory fails me now) in Yaba where many of us would gather to exchange war stories and progress towards emigration to London or New York. Every once in a while the Prof (Dr. Chike Obi) will pop
in. He would notice us and we would slowly converge around him. And he would start his lecture. He believed in Gowon's words of "no victors and no vanquished" broadcast. He would warn us about drifting, about walking with our heads bowed. Sometimes some of us
understood this to mean that if he caught you drifting or assuming a defeatist posture that Prof would kill you. He would come up with "wild ideas" of what we young men and occasional women could be doing. Prof would challenge us to be more daring. As years have gone
by, I have run into some of those friends at Dr. Ikejiani's lectures or the Prof. Chike Obi's in Lagos. When we meet the discussion would go on forever. On one occasion, I nearly missed my connecting flight in Amsterdam because I had run into one these "friends." Both men
still inspire me.

The last time I met Dr. Ikejiani was in 1999 in New York. This time he was much more relaxed and I had him almost to myself. He had come to attend the wedding of one of his many mentored by the name of Ifeoma Ohama. I was the Chairman at the Reception (Ifeoma had been a student of mine). Dr. Ikejiani was in his late 80's but his brain had not changed at all. It could have actually improved with age. We talked about those 60's lectures, his accomplishments for Biafra during the war, and since the war. We talked about his favorite
subject, The Nigerian Railway. I told him about its sorry state. Of course he was up to date on everything. Under his management the Nigerian Railway was at its golden age. Several Commonwealth countries requested for Nigerian Railway Staff to be seconded to them and Nigeria obliged. We talked about life after the war and life in exile, about what the posture of the Igbo ought to be. It was on this subject that all the adrenaline he had broke loose. The
lecturer came back to life reminding me of the vibrant and feisty young man of 60's. Ndi Igbo should stand up, straight up, chest out and fight for their rights and their beliefs. The war was over and the future is now. At that juncture I asked if he would have a word for the people in attendance. Dr. Ikejiani accepted. I introduce him citing just a minuscule of his many accomplishments. Just as he began to speak, the crowd rose on its feet and started clapping. He has not said a word. It must have been 10 minutes before a semblance of order was restored. He made one or two statements and the crowd rose again and the clapping continued. I do not think he ever completed a thought. The audience just wanted to see him, to honor him. to thank him. One of his daughters, Ndidi, who was his chaperon that day came and stood behind him. Father and daughter were beaming with smiles and soaking the adulation. I felt like falling down and worshipping him. I had not met him in close quarters before then, but our exchanges, brought back pleasant memories to him. I am grateful to the Almighty that at least on this one occasion he lived and saw the people he so tirelessly and selflessly served and mentored acknowledge him. It is a pity that Nigeria did not have it in her heart to give honor to one who honor was due. That he should die in exile is a shame to Nigeria. I do not mourn his passing away for I believe he lived a full life. I believe that he would not do anything differently were he to be given another life. Dr. Ikejiani did not live a lie. He love humanity and served humanity with everything he got. God blessed him in every way, education, children, happiness, and good health except for these last days. At 93 Dr. Ikejiani can truly yell: Veni, Vidi, Vici. I came, I saw, I conquered!

Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
Boston, Massachusetts
August 24, 2007