EMERITUS PROF FESTUS AGHAGBO NWAKO (OBATA-OBIE)
BIRTH
Emeritus Prof Festus Aghagbo Nwako (short for Nwakonobi), aka Obata-Obie, was born on 19th October 1933 in Aba, as the second son of late Elder Timothy Anakudo Nwako and Mrs Agnes Mgboli Nwako, nee Akabalu. Prof Festus Nwako hails from Urumpi Orofia Abagana, in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria.
“When this male child was born to the Nwako’
s family, well might there, a meteor has risen in the sky” – Rev Prof Sam Ike. He taught science, mathematics and the Languages at St. Patricks College, Calabar in 1952 and Ibo National College in Aba in 1953. Thereafter, he went to further his education at the National University of Ireland (1954 to 1960), where he obtained the M.B,.B.Ch., B.A.O.(Hons) degrees in Medicine. He continued in the National University of Ireland for an M.Ch. (Hons) degree in 1964. As a scholar he won the Federal Government Scholarship in Medicine (1954 – 1960), the University’s 1st year and 2nd year prizes in Medicine, as well as the final year prize in Surgery. WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Registrar in Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan (1963 – 1965). Senior Ford Foundation Fellow in Paediatric Surgery, John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore USA (1966).
**UNTH – University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Lecturer in Paediatric Surgery, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), (1967 – 1971). Heinz Fellow in Paediatric Surgery (1971). Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Surgery, UNN (1971 -1974). Reader in Paediatric Surgery, UNN (1974 – 1975). Professor in Paediatric Surgery (1975 – 1990). Head, Department of Surgery, UNN (1975 – 1978). Associate Dean of Medicine, UNN (1975 – 1978). Dean, Faculty of Medicine, UNN (1978 – 1980). Deputy Chairman / Medical Director, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (UNTH) (1975 – 1979). Chairman and Medical Director, UNTH (1979 – 1980). Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (1991 – 1998). Appointed on the recommendation of Rt. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe himself, while giving consent to the re-naming of the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) Awka after him. Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. (1991 – 2014). Emeritus Professor, NAU (2005). Four star General in Academics. PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS, Ire) – 1964. Fellow of the Medical College of Surgeons (FMCS, Nig) – 1970. Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) – 1972. Fellow of the International College of Surgeons (FICS) – 1984. Fellow of the International Surgical Society (FICSS) – 1988. APPOINTMENTS / ELECTIONS
Chairman, Management Board, Abakaliki Specialist Hospital, Abakaliki (1989 – 1990). Honorary Citizen of Louisville and Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA (1994). President, West African College of Surgeons (1995 – 1997). Co-ordinator and National Delegate, International Surgical Society (1995 – 1998). Officer of the Order National du Lion (OONL), Senegal (1997). Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMER), Yaba, Lagos (2000 – 2006). Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, Anambra State University of Technology, Uli (2005 – 2006). PUBLICATIONS
Attended at least 30 international conferences and seminars and read at least 25 invited papers. Author and Co-author of 8 textbooks and 30 journal articles, all referred. Editorial Adviser, Editorial Board of the Nigerian Journal of Surgery (since 1994). Member of the Editorial Board, West African Journal of Medicine (since 1986)
FAMILY LIFE
Emeritus Prof Festus Aghagbo Nwako got married to his wife, Stella on the 1st of July 1967. The marriage is blessed with a daughter, Dr Adaora Denise, and three grand-children. SOCIAL LIFE
Nigerian Lawn Tennis - One-time regular player at Enugu Sports Club. International Lawn Tennis – travelled to London every year for many years to watched Wimbledon Open Live! Nigerian Football – Patron to P&T Vasco da Gama, Enugu (Team Doctor for many years). English Football – Ardent Arsenal fan.
