PROF. NWAKO LAID TO REST..... WHAT LESSON TO BE LEARNT FORM HIS LIFE

The remains of Emeritus Professor Festus Aghagbo Nwako(Obata-Obie) has been laid to rest in his hometown Abagana yesterday. Professor Nwako was educated at christ the king primary school Aba, the prestigious St. Patrick's college, calabar. He started his teaching at st. patrick's  college  and Ibo National college where he taught science, mathematics  and languages.  Between 1954 to 1960, he was in Ireland where he was furthering his education and finally was awarded three degrees in medicine. He continued in the National university Ireland for an M.CH(Hons)degree in 1964. He became a senior registrar(surgery) in the university of Ibadan(1963-1965);senior ford foundation fellow in paediatric surgery(1966); lecturer UNN(1967-1971); HEINZ fellow(1971) ; VICE-CHANCELLOR UNIZIK(1991-1998);  ***EMERITUS PROFESSOR, NAU(2005)*** (FOUR STAR GENERAL).  

From his life, there is something

that came to my mind about our pursuit here.

That what matters in life is not where you started but the end, the outcome or the result. So many persons from all works life, within and outside the nation came together to be with him for the last time.  The event started in our university here where so many persons who knew him when he was in active service, poured out their heart about the kind of life he led. For instance, Fr  umezinwa , when called to give a reflection of the life the icon led; described him as someone who cannot be replaced and asked,"when do we have another vice-chancellor, a teacher, a professor and a giant who will put truth and justice first  in his service to humanity as NWAKO DID.

It is said that "the tree we plant today will provide shelter for our children tomorrow" but  I want to add that not just only our children but also for ourselves. Emeritus Prof. nwako started humbly but he did not allow his state then to decide his future by seeking for a way to achieve success that is based on truthfulness and justice  and he later found it.

We said in the preceding premise that NWAKO sought for success based on justice and truthfulness, and  that he found it . An inquisitive mind must have started wondering by now and asking, where did he find the success? The answer to that question lies in the statement of the fourth president of America who said that" that knowledge will forever govern ignorance and people who want to be their own governors must arm themselves with power which knowledge; and also in the statement of the greatest humanist of all time, NELSON MANDELLA,  who said that "education is the greatest weapon one can use to conquer his world. NWAKO pursued his education with an ardent desire and he was blessed by it.

 

Finally we have a saying which says that " if a tree does not fall, the axe does not rest"', we are in a search for success as Prof nwako once did, but for us to succeed as he did and be celebrated or not to succeed  and be thrown to the dust, will originate from our doings.