THE IBEKU ASSOCIATION OF NY-NJ-CT IN THE US. OF AMERICA

IN DEEP SORROW AND WITH HEAVY HEART SADLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF THEIR ILLUSTRIOUS SON

Minister/Federal COMMISIONER, Republic Of Nigeria

THE "EZE OMEREOHA (1) of Bende

The Eze Udo (1) of Abiriba

The IBEKU 1 of IBEKU

The Great One

DR JOJ

A native of Nkata in Ibeku, Umuahia Ibeku died January 13th 2002 at 80 years of age.

He was the son of Chief Johnson Okezie (Deceased) and Madam Esther Okezie (Deceased). He was survived by his wife and children.

Dr Okezie was well known and very successful Medical Doctor through out his life and in also all other endeavors which started from the early age of his life.. After his quest for Education that took him through so many places like Achimota College [Ghana-1943] Yaba College of Medicine [1947] and Royal College of Surgeon [1955] . He returned home to be the then Assist. Medical Officer, Later he built a 65-bed hospital –Ibeku Central Hospital, which he was, The Medical Superintendent till death. He was a Senior Medical Officer to several hospitals. And also the secretary to the Eastern Nigerian Branch of Nigerian Medical Association. Was also the secretary to the Easter Nigeria Science Association. till 1963.

In the 1960’s he got into politics . Was a member of the Eastern House of Assembly[61-60] legislator in the First Republic. Member of the Federal Executive Council [1970 – 74] Federal Commissioner for Health [1970 – 71]. Federal Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources [1971 – 74] . Member Nigerian Constituent Assembly, and Constitution Drafting Committee. [1977-78] . Life member Nigerian Red Cross Society since 1980 to date. Member Governing council Imo State University, now Abia State University (1991 – 92 ).

He was a very devoted Christian, and a Life Member Nigeria Bible Society. He was a Knight of St. Christopher in the Anglican Church (1988).

He was the Chairman to many organization . The Imo State Branch of The Nigeria Medical Association 1974 – 78 The Governing council Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, 1980 – 82 .The Board of Directors African Continental Bank Ltd. 1982 – 84 The Imo State to Abia Scout Council, 1976 to date .

He was a patron to many organizations. Imo State Y.M.C.A 1976 to date. Recreation Club Umuahia Ibeku. Keep Imo Beautiful Society 1985 . Patron Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association 1989. The University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association Umuahia Branch 1992.

He was a philanthropist and a member to these Health organizations. He received many awards : Certificate of Gratitude for Financial and Material Support from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Senior Medical Officer in –charge of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Umuahia Ibeku in 1970 after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. Member Nigeria Medical Council 1956 – 66. Was for ten years (1960 – 70) Secretary of the Eastern Nigerian Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association. National Patron Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria since 1987 to date. Medical Superintendent Ibeku Central Hospital, Umuahia Ibeku. As a journalist he was the Patron Nigeria Union of Journalists Imo State Branch since 1980 to date. He was also honored with: Certificate of honor Nigeria Union of Journalists Imo State Council 1987. Patron Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture, 1976 to date Patron Ibeku Students Association University of Nigeria – Nsukka. . Association Editor of the Journal "The Nigerian Scientist: 1961 – . Certificate of Roll of "Honor" awarded by the Nigeria Union of Journalists Imo State Council for Services rendered to society 1989. Awarded a Special Prize in 1988 by Time Magazine of America For being a SOPHISTICATED READER and ABILITY TO DISCUSS ISSUES INTELLIGENTLY and IMPERSSIVELY.

Name included in the following International Publications: WITH VOLUME XIII DEDICATED TO SIR JOSIAH O. J. OKEZIE IN HONOUR OF AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICINE, SCIENCE, POLITICS AND THE CHURCH. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF CONTEMPORARY ACHIEVEMENT VOL. ELEVEN 1975 – ERNEST KAY: GENERAL EDITOR. EUROPA: THE INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO 1972 TO DATE. EUROPA: WHO’S WHO IS AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA 1975. NEWSWATCH WHO’S WHO IN NIGERIA 1990. INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO OF INTELLECTUALS 1998? WITH VOLUME XIII DEDICATED TO SIR JOSIAH O. J. OKEZIE IN HONOUR OF AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICINE, SCIENCE, POLITICS AND THE CHURCH. PUBLICATIONS AND LECTURES: THE EVOLUTION OF SCIENCE 1959. ATOMIC RADIATION 1961 .THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH 1976. .EXECUTIVE PRESIDENCY IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION 1976 ..THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN PROMOTING WELL-INFORMED CITIZENRY IN A DEVELOPING SOCITEY 1976. . .REJOINDER TO PORTRAIT OF A LEADER 1985. . HOSPTIAL PLANNING BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE GRADUATE NURSES ASSOCAITION, HOTEL PRESIDENTIAL ENUGU, 1989.WATER POLLUTION BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF UNN, DECEMBER 1988. AGRARIAN REVOLUTION AND PUBLIC ENLIGHTMENT: BEING AN ADDRESS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN DURING THE 1988 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA. .IMMUNIZATION: A CHANCE FOR EVERY CHILD: BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED ON WORLD HEALTH DAY SPEECH, 21ST APRIL 1987. .ALFERD NOBLE AND THE NOBLE PRIZES: BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO GOVERNMENT COLLEGE UMUAHIA OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION AT A DINNER ORGANIZED ON 6TH DECEMBER 1986. . PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION IN NURSING SERVICE : BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF GRADUATE NURSES ASSOCATION CONCORD HOTEL OWERRI, 27TH FEBRUARY 1987. . ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TOXIC WASTE AND WATER POLLUTION: DELIVERED TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA, MODETEL HOTEL OWERRI, 14TH OCTOBER 1988. . SOME ISSUES IN OUR CONSTITUTION AS THEY AFFECT THE LEGAL PROFESSION: BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE UMUAHIA BAR ASSOCIATION ON FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER 1991. . NOISE: BEING AN ADDRESS TO THE NURSES AND MIDWIVES WEEK OCTOBER, 1990. . . WATER POLLUTION: BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AT ABA, 24TH NOVEMBER 1990. . CHRISTIAN UNITY IN A CHANGING NIGERIA: BEING AN ADDRESS DELIEVRED TO THE ANNUAL SYNOD OF OWERRI DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH: FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST 1989. . NEO-COLONIALISM BEING AN ADDRESS PRESENTED TO THE "TOP SEED CIRCLE" UMUAHIA IBEKU, ON 5TH MAY! 1990.

He had simple hobbies reading of English literature and poems, gardening, Own things like antelopes and peacocks. Certificate of Merit International Year of the Football – Referees 1986.

All the children ,men and women ,Cheifs and Ezes in the Ibeku Association of NY.NJ.CT will miss this their beloved son very much. We were happy to have him as one of us. Many more will get to know him with time ,age and wisdom. His contributions,performances and accomplishments will remain unequal and will stand as a lighthouse to the direction for us.

Death has robbed us of our,Good Will Ambassador, guiding light,but he has left so many landmarks to indicate positions that we will not wander off from this path of progress.

He was and will still be our:

"AHA EJI AGA MBA IN IBEKU LAND "

May his Soul Rest In Peace.

*Chief C. Agomoh,*Okey alozie
PresidentPublicity Secretary / General Secretary

Ibeku-Association ,NY.NJ.CT

PRESENT ADDRESS: INDEPENDENCE HOUSE, UGBA IBEKU, UMUAHIA IBEKU.

OFFICE ADDRESS:

IBEKU CENTRAL HOSPITAL

P.O. Box 306

UMUAHIA IBEKU. ABIA, NIGERIA