It was a rain of tributes on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024 at the ‘Service of songs and Night of Tributes for late Emeritus Professor Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro, also known as Anezi Okoro.
Prof. Anezi Okoro, West Africa’s first dermatologist and a renowned author died peacefully at the age of 94 in his Enugu residence in the early hours of Saturday, 20th January 2024.
At the Night of tribute held at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, family, friends relatives and students of the late medical icon gave account of the life and times of the author of the famous book “One Week one Trouble” which was published in 1972.
He was a great, humble teacher- Naa Prof. Edmund Nminyem Delle
Naa Prof. Edmund Nminyem Delle, the traditional ruler of Nandom Naa of the Nandom Traditional Area, Accra North, Ghana said Prof Anezi Okoro was humility personified and a great teacher who wants his students to be better than him.
The Ghanian Monarch in a moving dirge, attributed greater part of his success in life to the late prof, adding that he (Okoro)will always encourage him not to give up in life and never to be scared of opposition in whatever he does.
“One thing about him that has helped me is his humility. He was so humble that you’ll not know he’s this great man in the scientific world and even a poet. He values friendship so much that he would always want to make you better and he has absolute belief in God.
“He was very instrumental in my becoming a dermatologist and attaining professorship. His name and recommendations opened many doors for me across the world and in all my endeavours, he will write an encouragement and say i should never give up nor be worried about opposition because people will always oppose you when you’re in the right track.
“My life is linked with his life history and i say he’s the greatest dermatologist we have in Africa, without him, some of would not have gotten to where we are now and he wasn’t envious like some great people that will like to remain on top forever. He will carry you to get to you destination and this i will never forget. If you say i have name in the world today, it’s courtesy of my father (Anezi Okoro).
Prof Nminyem further stated that Okoro is a man that should be celebrated both in the medical field and in his literary life, adding that “he was also a pan African that promoted good leadership and like Nkrumah, Okoro never dies because his legacies will live forever.”
His contribution to medicine will never be forgotten- Prof. Ohaegbulam
Prof. Samuel C. Ohaegbulam, the Executive Director of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery decribed late Prof. Anezi Okoro as a “Fantastic person,” adding that his “humility was exceptional and he was very diplomatic and abhorred trouble and knew how to resolve any dispute to a peaceful end which attracted him to many.
“He served his role as dermatologist, author and was content with that even when he had the opportunity to serve as a director in the oil industry, nobody challenged his transparency and honesty during that period unlike what we have today.
“He was a dedicated and committed teacher and his contribution to medicine was exceptional, he was the only dermatologist in Nigeria for a very long time.”
He was more than a medical doctor to community of persons with Albinism-Jake Epelle
Jake Epelle, the Founder/CEO of The Albino Foundation(TAF) Africa went down memory lane to recount the contributions of Prof. Anezi Okoro in their community (persons with albinism) spans over many decades and has inspired many many of them.
“Prof. Okoro is more than a medical doctor to the community of persons with albinism and he started treating persons with albinism from 1954 and continued to treat us up until he was going to the grave. At age 92, Prof was still ready to come to our conferences and be part of us even when i didn’t want him to because of age.
“The man Prof. Anezi Okoro is very inspiring, has touched many lives. Everyone with albinism that Prof Okoro treated came out with clean smooth skin and it’s a legacy he continues to keep till this day. He was the second certified dermatologist in Africa after the Egyptian.
“He contributed quite a lot and made it possible for the advocacy for persons with albinism to be heightened. He’s a father, a mentor, an inspiration and one that’s truly God fearing.”
Survived by his children, grand children and others, Prof. Okoro has so many books to his name. He was the first Chairman of Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the author of thr proposal for the relocation of Nigeria’s capital to Abuja.
