Amby Uneze in Owerri
“It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Emerson, through his journals, essays, lectures, and poetry, guided the development of American thought, spiritual expansion, and adherence to moral principles. His approach to living and to life was dynamic, forceful, and radical in its conception and fulfillment.
"Without Emerson's legacy," said Maglaras, "it would be difficult to imagine American cultural life and impossible to imagine the development of America as a society. Emerson is the spiritual father of the poetry of Walt Whitman, the music of Charles Ives, the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr."
Following the above assertion by a one-time great American, one also recalls another cerebral quotation of Chuck Palahniuk, a renowned novelist from Portland who said, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.”
Today, we all mourn the demise of one of us, a father, patriot, builder, and achiever, who appropriately fitted in the words of both Emerson and Palahniuk. Chief Dr. Alex Obi, MFR, Ikemba Mbaise was indeed a great political iroko that came, saw, and conquered.
An accomplished medical practitioner, respected Statesman, administrator and community developer, Chief Dr. Alexander Andrew Aforkwalam Obi popularly known as Dr. Alex Obi was born on the 15th January, 1955 in Ile-Ife of today’s Osun State. His father, Godfrey Ogazi Obi of Oboama, Enyiogugu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State was an Immigration Officer, and his mother, Mrs. Caroline Akuburuche Obi of Obetiti Nguru, Aboh Mbaise, was a successful business woman.
With academic and professional qualifications in the fields of Medicine, Administration and Management, Alex Obi commenced his formal education at St. Thomas Aquinas Primary School, Surulere, Lagos, and completed that level of education in his hometown, Oboama. He was admitted to Enyiogugu Secondary School, Mbaise, where he graduated with straight ‘A’s in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).
He moved on to Federal Government College, Warri, Delta state, for his Advanced Level studies (Higher School Certificate Course). Alex Obi’s performance in the external examinations easily earned him admission to the College of Medicine of the famous University of Lagos (Unilag), which also supervised the renowned Teaching Hospital popularly known as ‘LUTH’.
His graduation with the MBBS in Medicine & Surgery in 1981 was a fait accompli. Some years later, He studied for and obtained a Diploma in Family Medicine from the National Post- Graduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Dr. Alex Obi had a successful career in his chosen specialties and vocation. As a medical practitioner, his experience was enriching. Aside from serving under the guidance of some of the best in the profession, he also went through various postings, including rural areas. In Imo State alone, the several rural locations he made significant impact included Aboh Mbaise, Ohaji Egbema, Amucha, Isiekenesi, and Ogbaku.
With the vast experience garnered, Dr. Alex Obi felt a strong calling to return to his own state and specifically to his hometown where he saw firsthand the dire need to provide adequate medical care among the underserved communities and less privileged people. In 1988, He set up the prestigious facility, STEPS OF FAITH HOSPITAL in Owerri, the Imo State capital. And ten years later, the hospital expanded to incorporate a Platinum Dialysis Centre – easily one of the best of its kind in the State. There is also a state-of-the-art facility known as Ace Lab. & Diagnostics as well as the full-service Triple A Pharmacy.
A call to national service beckons and beyond the hospital wards, he undertook many strategic national assignments. They include: being a Trustee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chairman, Board of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, Chairman Board of Directors, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and member, National Business & Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
As a leader and community developer, Dr. Alex Obi’s leadership qualities became manifest early in his life. Among other roles he played, included being the Senior Prefect in his final year at Enyiogugu Secondary School and the Interim Student at LUTH.
He devoted his life to helping others, using his medical knowledge and expertise, as well as his political influence, to make a lasting impact on the communities he served.
His Statesmanship antecedents started from his being always focused on development-based pursuits and did not care for the murky waters the practice of politics has been sadly known for in these parts. Besides his leadership roles in secondary school and university, he was very active on the Aboh Mbaise Youth Committee. With the return to politics, he was a prominent member of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) on which platform he contested the Imo state Governorship election in the early 90s. Subsequently, he served as the Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area from 1988 to 1999.
A founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alex Obi served as the Imo State Chairman of the party for about five years and was very instrumental to the string of electoral successes of the party across the State. More recognition came as he was elevated to a member, Board of Trustees of the Party and was part of several Government delegations.
He was a man of integrity whose word was his bond, a practicing Christian in several ramifications and a source of inspiration to many people. He not only spent a lot of his time and resources to help others in need, but was active in building the Church and propagating the gospel across the land. He was a man of faith indeed.
A Community Developer, Alex Obi made tremendous impact. Among other recognitions, his contributions as a vibrant, dynamic leader earned him the traditional title, Ikemba Mbaise (Strength of the People of Mbaise). At the national level, he was also a deserving recipient of the National Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).
A family man of note, Dr. Obi was a devoted father, brother and husband. He met the love of his life, Dr. Mrs. Margaret Oritsetimeyin Obi (Nee Otuedon) while in his third year and she was a first year medical student also in LUTH. The inseparable duo got married in 1983 at The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Port Harcourt. Thus began a journey of matrimonial bliss that lasted some four decades; with five children and many grandchildren. The children – two males and three females – are: Dr. Mrs. Ugochi Uku (a Medical Doctor), Dr. Mrs. Onyekachi Mkpolulu (also a Medical Doctor), Engr. Dr. Mrs. Uchechukwu “Nwunyennya” Osharechiren (a Chemical Engineer and now a licensed Medical Doctor), Alexander Jnr. (an Electrical Engineer with a Master’s degree in Subsea Engineering), and Uwajachukwuma “Waja” (in secondary school).
Dr. Alex Obi's life was truly a testimony to the power of love, compassion, and pure selflessness, which manifested in him as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother and community citizen. He will be sorely missed.
He passed on, on his 68th birth-date, January 15, 2023, after a brief illness.
As we mourn his loss from this physical realm, we are comforted that he lived a worthy, fulfilled life as enunciated by Emerson and Palahniuk that life is to create something that will outlive us. We pray that Almighty God will accept his soul in His Kingdom.
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