The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) mourns the passing of His Royal Majesty, Asagba Professor Joseph Chike Edozien. His Royal Majesty, Asagba of Asaba, was an immense figure in both academia and traditional leadership. Indeed, he has left a significant mark on the medical community and society at large.
Professor Edozien's association with our dear College dates back to his tenure as a Senior Lecturer and later as Professor of Chemical Pathology. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine from 1962 to 1967, and he steered the University College Hospital, Ibadan, towards becoming a beacon of excellence in medical research during the 1960s. His groundbreaking work in establishing biochemical reference ranges for Africans and his relentless pursuit of solutions to malnutrition and malaria have left an enduring legacy in the field of medicine.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Edozien served with distinction as a Visiting Professor at institutions such as MIT and as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. His contributions extended to the realm of governance, where he held positions as Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Federal University, Gashua.
In this moment of profound loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community of Asaba. Professor Edozien's legacy will continue to inspire generations of medical professionals and scholars, reminding us of the transformative power of knowledge, leadership, and service.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Amen.
Olayinka Omigbodun FAS
Professor of Psychiatry & Provost
Professor J.C. Edozien at the University College Hospital in the 1960s.
Asagba photographed by Ubili Ka Nkwu in April 2023.
ASAGBA PROFESSOR J C EDOZIEN, ICONIC MONARCH AND ACCOMPLISHED ACADEMIC
His Royal Majesty, Asagba Professor Joseph Chike Edozien CFR JP MD FRCP FRCPath DSc (Hon) FAS, (28.07.1924 - 07.02.2024) Asagba of Asaba, has joined his ancestors.
After his medical education in Ireland, he joined Professor H Krebs (of Krebs Cycle fame) in Sheffield, then became a Lecturer in London. He was appointed Senior Lecturer at UCI/UCH Ibadan in 1952 and Professor of Chemical Pathology in 1961. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine 1962-67. Under his leadership, the University College Hospital, Ibadan, became an outstanding centre of medical research in the 1960s. His groundbreaking research made his laboratory a WHO Coordinating Centre. He established biochemical reference ranges for Africans, but his particular areas of interest were malnutrition and malaria. His ambition at the time was to produce a malaria vaccine. Incidentally, Professor Ambrose Alli was his laboratory assistant before commencing medical education.
He left Ibadan because of the political crisis of 1966-67 and became Special Adviser to the Governor of the Midwestern Region on Higher Education, in which role he began the planning of what is now the University of Benin. Using his contacts at Rockefeller Foundation, he also instigated and facilitated the founding of UNTH Enugu.
He was a Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA, 1968-71, and Professor and Head of the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina 1971-1991. He served as Chairman of the Board, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 1991-92.
He was installed as Asagba of Asaba in 1991. In this role, he adapted local cultural practices to the realities of modern times while conserving the core identity and values of the town. One area of reform was the status of women. He lightened the burden on bereaved women, engaged women in various developmental assignments, and appointed the first female Palace Chiefs in the town.
Asagba was instrumental in getting the Federal Government to ring-fence for traditional rulers a percentage of the annual budget allocated to local governments. After a few years, this policy was domesticated by State governments.
At various times, he was Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Federal University, Gashua.
His Royal Majesty was married to HRH Modupe Clara Edozien, Herbert Macaulay's granddaughter, for 70 years. They met at UCH, where she was a radiographer. They are blessed with six children, one of whom (Anthony) is an infectious diseases specialist in Maryland, USA. His son, Louis, was a Federal Permanent Secretary. His daughters Margaret (deceased), Valerie, and Ngozi have distinguished themselves in various walks of life, including law and corporate governance.
This tribute was written by LeRoy Edozien, Ubili Ka Nkwu Ahaba, his nephew and 'kitchen-cabinet' member, who is also a UI/UCH alumnus (MBBS '84), medical doctor and Doctor of Law, and currently Professor/Director, Institute of Advanced Clinical Sciences Education, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City.
Asagba presenting staff of office to Ubili Ka Nkwu.