Dr Francis Uzoma Kwentua Ogeah, father of Chike Ogeah, immediate-past commissioner for Information in Delta State, has passed on.
Dr. Ogeah, a distinguished medical doctor, philanthropist and community leader, died peacefully in Lagos, on Sunday, November 15 at 7am, a statement by his son said..
The Ogbueshi Ogeah was born in Asaba then Western region of Nigeria on November 11, 1927 to the late Obi Thomas Ogeah and Mrs Mgbonkwo Ogeah (née Obanyan) both of Asaba. He was the last of eight children.
He had his secondary education at the Hope Waddel Secondary School, Calabar and was trained as a medical doctor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland in 1958.
After his house job at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, he joined the civil service of the Western region and subsequently Midwestern region/state.
He worked in Badagry, Sagamu, Ilaro, Warri, Ondo, Sapele, Uromi, Benin, Asaba and Auchi from where he retired from the civil service of Midwestern state in 1972 after the civil war.
He established the first the private hospital in Asaba, Chukwuweinke Memorial Hospital, in memory of his beloved brother and benefactor Mr Chike Christopher Ogeah.
His hospital thrived and he took care of all and sundry- the high and the low of society.
He married the love of his life, the late Titilola Henrietta Ogeah (née Fadipe) in 1958 and they lived together till her death in August 2004.
Together, they have three children – Mrs. Ada Akpata, principal of OsaDennis College, Asaba, Dr. Ngozi Onyia, managing director of Paelon Memorial Clinic, Lagos
and Chike Ogeah, Esq, Vice Vhairman, Sahcol Aviation Handling Company, Lagos.
He raised the children of several of his late brothers as his own. In recognition of his pivotal role in his family, he was named Ezinwanne by his kindred when he took the Ogbuesi title.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchild, Ada and Sonny Akpata, Ngozi and Ejiofor Onyia, Chike and Funke Ogeah, his children.
The grand children include Uyi and Gloria Akpata, Unoma and Charles Grant, Abasam Onyia, Osasu and Gbemiga Adelowo, Uche Ogeah, Uzoma Ogeah, Chike Ogeah and Titilola Akpata.
He was a good man, a loving and sacrificing Dad. In the words of Sonny Akpata on being told of his death, “Everyone spoke well of him. He was an upright and principled man.”
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and patients.