Christopher G Okojie OFR DSc (1920-2006) was a Nigerian doctor, politician, administrator and historian. He was born in Ugboha, in present-day Edo State, Nigeria. He was leader of the Mid-West Regional House of Assembly from 1964 to 1966. He was a former Health Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1992) and president of the Nigerian Medical Association (1974-1975).[1] As minister, he was instrumental in pushing ahead a National Insurance Health Scheme.[2] He died on October 7, 2006, at the age of 86. During his tenure as minister, he was able to bring roads and bore-hole water to the people of Esan.
He was a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (2002), a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and a member of the Population Council of New York.[3] In 1964, in recognition of his services to the nation, Okojie was invested with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).[4]
Career
editDr Christopher Gbelokoto Okojie left the Colonial Service to work among his people, the impoverished rural people of Ishan (Esan) Division of present-day Edo State.[5] He returned to his native district and started the Zuma Memorial Hospital on March 27, 1950, a private service that tried to supplement inadequate health services in Esan land. In addition to his work as a medical doctor, Okojie spent a significant part of his time researching and documenting Esan history, laws and customs. In 1960, he published a most comprehensive study on Esan history, Esan Native Laws and Customs: With Ethnological Studies of the Esan People. He had a long and illustrious career and continued to attend to patients when aged 85.[6]
Personal life
editHe married Olayemi Phillips, and they had seven children. Their children include daughters: Oseyi Oigboke, Anehita Akinsanya, Adesua Ilegbodu and Ebemeata Ani-Otoibhi and sons: Isi Okojie, and twins Ihimire Okojie and Ehidiamen Okojie (who died in December 2009). He owned and lived in a large estate, Zuma Memorial, in Irrua Edo State which comprised his personal residence, a hospital (Zuma Memorial Hospital), orphanage and accommodation for medical and domestic staff.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "It's Unethical for Doctors to Go On Strike," This Day, April 27, 2001.
- ^ "Health Insurance Scheme Takes Off Soon", The Daily Trust. October 9, 2001
- ^ "Dr Christopher G. Okojie". 30 June 2018.
- ^ "OKOJIE, Dr. Christopher Gbelokoto". 1 July 2018.
- ^ "THE ESAN(NIGERIA)PEOPLE: FORTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER C.G.OKOJIE'S ISHAN NATIVE LAWS AND CUSTOMS". 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Okonofua, Friday (2006). "In Memoriam: Dr Christopher Gbelokoto Okojie". Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research. 5 (2).
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