By Francis Igata
When on October 22nd, the sad news of the demise of foremost and distinguished Prof. Marcel Kerian Mgbodile filtered in, it sent shock shivers down the spines of the immediate Mgbodile family, Ozalla-Abor Community, the academia, the Catholic Church and Enugu State at large. Marcel Ume Kerian Mgboidile was born to Mgbodile Okugbo and Nwanezi-uzo Mgbodile of Ozalla Village on September 25th 1939. He was the only child of his mother while his father had two other wives. Marcel Mgbodile attended St. Peter’s Primary School Abor where he graduated with flying colors. He was very active in sports and that earned him additional honours as he won medals and laurels from sports for the school. The young Marcel later proceeded to Christ the King College Onitsha in 1951 where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1957. Marcel proceeded to High School in Yaba, Lagos for a two year advanced program. He graduated with excellent result and was offered a clerical work at shell B.P Port Harcourt.
He was awarded a USAID scholarship for his undergraduate training and he left the shores of the country for Cuttington College and Divinity School in Liberia where he obtained the B.Sc Degree in Agriculture in 1966. While in the Cuttington College, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Agriculture. From 1966-1967 he worked as a Research Chemist at Firestone Rubber Company in Liberia. He had proceeded to obtain a Master of Science Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Tuskegee Institute, Alabama USA in August 1969. He was awarded a postgraduate fellowship upon admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by Carver Research Foundation and graduated with his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in June 1973.
There also, he won the USA National Research Service/Post-Doctoral Award for training in Cancer Epidemiology. Upon his return to Nigeria in 1976 he spent a year in the Federal Ministry of Health in Lagos as a Principal Scientific Officer – Toxicologist. Prof. worked as a Consultant in Chemical Pathology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. For ten years, he taught as a Senior Lecturer in Medical Biochemistry and Toxicology in Enugu Campus. Prof. served as Professor in ASUTECH, Nnewi Campus from 1988 to 1992. He was Professor of Medical Biochemistry and Toxicology in ESUT for almost 20 years. Between 1992 – 1994 he was a consultant on Health Matters to Enugu State Government. Consultant to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on International Nutrition Planning for Africa, (1973 – 1976). Resource person to the Research and Training Network for the Agricultural Development Council (U.S.A) on nutritional Policy and Programming Research (1973) He was on the registry of Consultants to the International Health Division of the American Public Health Association, membership of: University Senate , Committee of Deans,Chairmanship and membership of Senate sub committees, External Examiner for Ph.D MSC an MBBS degrees in some Nigeria Universities. Regular reviewer of Journal articles for the Biochemical Journal (Nig.), Past President General, Abor Town Union, member of Cabinet of H.R.H. Igwe L.U. Ukwu, and Special Advisor to the Igwe on Health and Agriculture.
Prof. Mgbodile championed the cause of development in Abor with extreme passion. Immediately after the civil war in 1970 he sent some funds for the sustenance of Abor students in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A recipient Chief, Arch Ralph Anidi recounted with joy that he received a whopping sum then which by today’s exchange rate amounted to N450,000.
Prof. also sent some library books to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Working closely with the Principal/Proprietor, HRH Late Igwe L.U Ukwu, Prof. supported the revitalization of Christ High School Abor. He was the founding father of Abor Community in Nashville Tennessee, USA. Qualified relatives from Abor would get automatic approval from Prof. for migration to America by way of securing admissions for them in reputable Universities in the USA. As the foundation dean of the ESUT, he championed the admission of many Abor indigenes to medical schools in Ebonyi, Nnewi and Awka Campuses. This philanthropic gesture saw more than 100s of doctors through Biochemistry in medical schools. He took a leading role in the Rural Electrification and Borehole water projects to Abor Community after the war. Other projects include construction of Market squares, construction of road from Onyeama mine express road to Ozalla Abor among others. In religious matters, Prof. Mgbodile was not left out. He played supportive roles in the building of St Peter’s Catholic Church in the 1980s, He was awarded a plaque of honour in recogniton of his support and contributions to the development of the catholic church in Abor. His last financial support was at Christ the King Mass Center (Somascan Community) on the 16th of October 2022 before his exit on 22nd October 2022. He poured out his heart in every given assignment.
Prof. as he was fondly called was a father to all, great supporter of widows, a big brother to all his siblings, cousins and other relations whom he supported their educational careers. Prof. was first and foremost his brothers’ keeper, whether at church, after church services or at home when friends and relatives came calling for financial support.
Prof. was married to his loving wife, Dr. (Mrs) Winifred Mgbodile (nee Oji) who stood by him all through their 49 years of marriage. The marriage produced five children; Mrs. Ifeyinwa Neziuzo Agogbua (nee mgbodile), Dr. Francis Chikezie Mgbodile, Mrs. Nneka Betty Jean Agu (nee mgbodile), Mr. Ikechukwu Melvin-John Mgbodile, Engr. Nnamdi Marcel Mgbodile. He was at home with his family and brought the children up with the fear and knowledge of God. He lived a life of faith and trust in God. In 2006 he and his wife were conferred with the “ideal couple” Award by the St Peter’s worshiping community because of his exemplary leading role in family life. He lived a life of kindness and selflessness always thinking about the good of the other person.
Igata, a journalist, writes from Nkpologu, Uzo-Uwani LGA