How fast time flies! In grief, one year seems like just yesterday, time loses its meaning, but our minds would always have a special memory of you. Today, 28th of September, 2022 marks one year of your unfortunate departure from this world. Chief Dr Chike Akunyili (KSJI, KSS), was murdered at Afor Nkpor, on his way back to Enugu from an event organized by University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Onitsha branch in honor of his late wife, Professsor Dora Akunyili.
Dr. Akunyili’s large heart earned him the title, Agbalanze Agulu.
He was born in the early 1950’s at Coal Camp, Enugu State, into the family of Pa Julius and Mrs. Virginia Akunyili, both of blessed memory, from Nketaku Village, Agulu. Dr Akunyili attended his primary and secondary schools at Patrick’s Ogbete and College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, respectively. He was a bright student and was always top of his class. Agbalanze further proceeded to the legendary University of Nigeria, Nsukka for his tertiary education, where he graduated with honors in Medicine and Surgery.
On April 15th, 1978, Dr Akunyili got married to his heartthrob, late Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, who was a former Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and also a former Minister of Information and Communication. The marriage was blessed with six children and five grandchildren.
Dr Chike Akunyili was a devout Catholic and one who showed his faith through good works. Some of his contributions to growth of the church include building and equipping of two Eucharistic Chapels of Perpetual Adoration at the Church of Madonna Parish, Agulu, roofing of Saint Peter’s Church, Urum, construction of over 300 pews for different churches including Blessed Sacrament Parish, Enugu, Saint Leo, Tran-Ekulu and Marian Grottoes at Madonna, Agulu.
It is remarkable to mention that for over 40 years, Dr. Chike Akunyili committed himself to offering comprehensive medical services to generations of seminarians and priests of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu at no costs. He was a philanthropist whose exemplary lifestyle touched many lives and equally left a legacy for the young ones to follow.
Until his death, he was the MD/CEO of Saint Leo’s Hospital, Enugu. As a passionate surgeon, he used his medical expertise to treat thousands of people even on charitable grounds. He made sure that ethical standards of medicare were maintained and treatment of patients were carried out in the most compassionate manner. In his virtue of altruism to the church and society, Dr Akunyili was honoured by the Papacy as a Knight in the Order of Saint Sylvester.
In 2021, his hospital, Saint Leo was honoured with an Award of Excellence in Leadership and Service Delivery by the National Leadership and Productivity Centre. This was as a result of his policy that under no circumstance should a patient be denied life-saving treatment due to financial incapability (Ọzọ uwa ndu). Agbalanze Agulu had so many benefactors to his name who were groomed through his charitable exercises.
It is commendable to note that, he had made a remarkable impact in the life of Mr. Mark Chukwuemeka Okafor (Okwulora nke ngé), anchor Nke bu Eziokwu radio programme. Chief Dr Chike Akunyili (Agbalanze Agulu) in January 2014, through his seed of financial assistance helped in the establishment of Agulu Entertainment Agency, which started off as an infant agency with the name Mekks-melody International, followed by Agulu Broadcasting and later registered as Agulu Entertainment Agency (AN7044). Since then it has blossomed into a well known entertainment agency.
One year has passed and yet his departure would forever hold a special place in our hearts. The entire Chukwuemeka Okafor family, staff and management of Agulu Entertainment Agency and everyone who has come in contact with him, still mourn his untimely death. The excruciating pain of losing a rare gem like you, Agbalanze, remains a wound that could never heal. But we take consolation in God, and in all the admirable legacies of your life.
In commemoration of his death, there will be a free medical outreach today at St. Leo’s hospital Enugu, courtesy of his children. The outreach will be preceded by a memorial service which will be presided over by Most Reverend Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese by 10:00am at the same venue.
Continue to rest in the bossom of the Lord, till we meet to part no more, Agbalanze Agulu
WRITTEN BY CHUKWUEMEKA OKAFOR
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