The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI)
Mourns the Passing of
EMERITUS PROFESSOR OKECHUKWU OBIORA MBONU (1939 – 2023)
of the
CoMUI MBBS CLASS OF 1965
The lying-in-state at his compound and funeral service at
The Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka takes place on Friday, February 09, 2024.
OUR HEROES ARE OUR PRIDE:
HONOURING THE LEGACY OF EMERITUS PROFESSOR OKECHUKWU OBIORA MBONU MBBS, FRCS (EDIN), FRCPSC, FMCS, FWACS, FICS, FISS, NPOM
On behalf of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Emeritus Professor Okechukwu Obiora Mbonu. His passing is a profound loss to our community, particularly to everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Emeritus Professor Mbonu's contributions to the field of Surgery and Urology were immense, and he has truly left an enduring impact that will be felt for generations to come.
He was an alumnus of our great institution, of the CoMUI MBBS Class of 1965. True to all I have heard of him, Emeritus Professor Mbonu exemplified excellence and dedication in his profession. I have taken the privilege to share a condolence note written by Emeritus Professor E. Oluwole Akande shortly after his demise in this release. No doubt, Emeritus Professor Mbonu’s commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare in Nigeria and beyond was unwavering, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals.
We mourn the loss of a true leader and visionary. Emeritus Professor Mbonu held several leadership roles, and all his accomplishments reflect his remarkable contributions to the advancement of surgical practice and medical education in our country. His memory will be cherished, and his legacy will endure as a source of inspiration to all who knew him.
On a personal note, I met Emeritus Professor Mbonu (25th President of the West African College of Surgeons from 2009 to 2011) at several meetings of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS). This was during the period I had the privilege of accompanying the 28th President of WACS, Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun FAS to meetings and I found him to be truly kind, approachable, and welcoming. He stands out in my mind as a truly great man who wanted everyone around to be comfortable and happy.
My thoughts and prayers are with Emeritus Professor Mbonu’s family and all his loved ones even as they lay him to rest tomorrow. May they find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy of excellence and service will continue to live on, shaping the future of healthcare in our institution, the country, and all over the world.
May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Olayinka Omigbodun FAS
Professor of Psychiatry &
Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
It is with shock and great sadness that I received a WhatsApp message from Professor Rowland Ndoma-Egba of the sudden death of Emeritus Professor Obiora Okechukwu Mbonu, a 1965 Alumnus of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, past Chairman Board of Management, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, and a past President of West African College of Surgeons.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. And may God grant the family and us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. He will be sorely missed.
Emeritus Professor E. Oluwole Akande, OON, Past President, ICOMAA Worldwide
Pioneer Provost CoMUI and Chief Medical Director UCH
PROFILE: EMERITUS PROFESSOR OKECHUKWU OBIORA MBONU
Okechukwu Obiora Mbonu, an Emeritus Professor of Surgery and distinguished Urologist, was born in Benin City on Saturday, 4th January 1939. His educational journey began at Priscilla Memorial Grammar School in Oguta, present-day Imo State, and continued at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Enugu. Subsequently, he gained admission to the University College, Ibadan, Nigeria's sole medical school at the time, in September 1960.
He graduated MBBS (London) in 1965, winning the prize in Clinical Surgery. His pursuit of excellence led him to postgraduate surgical training on a Commonwealth Scholarship in Liverpool, UK, and later in Ottawa, Canada. He was admitted to Fellowships of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1973 and the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, with a sub-specialty certification in Urology from Canada in 1975.
Returning to Nigeria, Mbonu was elected Fellow of both the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Surgery and the West African College of Surgeons. He ascended to the position of Professor of Surgery at the University of Nigeria Nsukka before becoming the pioneer Chief Medical Director of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed Emeritus Professor of Surgery by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2011.
Throughout his renowned career, Emeritus Professor Mbonu held numerous leadership roles, including President of the Nigerian Association of Urological Surgeons (1975–2001), President of the Nigerian Transplantation Society (1993–2005), President of the Nigerian Surgical Research Society (1994–1996), and Nigerian National Delegate to the International Society of Surgery (1998–2008). He also served as Chairman and Chief Examiner in Surgery from 2003 to 2007 and as the 25th President of the West African College of Surgeons from 2009 to 2011.
In addition, Emeritus Professor Mbonu was the first Chairman of the Regional Council for Health Professionals’ Education (RCHPE) in the ECOWAS Region from 2013 to 2017. His contributions were recognized with Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) in 2017.
Emeritus Professor Mbonu was an outstanding alumnus of our medical school who served the nation and the West African sub-Region in many capacities, with passion and wisdom. Again, our condolences are extended to his widow, children, grandchildren, and the entire family.