This story of a pro-lifer, medical doctor and knight offers insightful information on an achiever, a man of honour, a humanist and a philanthropist – Enoma Alexander Bazuaye-Ekwuyasi. I am not surprised that Enoma is a great man today having shared a name with Alexander the Great – a one-time king of Macedon in Greek (356 to 323BC). No one could have known that a great man was born on July 31, 1955 at Central Hospital, Benin City when Mathias Chike Ekwuyasi and Gladys Ewemade Bazuaye gave birth to Enoma Alexander.

His disciplined life is connected to his birth, upbringing and nurturing by Pa Augustine Omoregie Bazuaye whose experience and exposure helped to build and shape the life of young Enoma Alexander. In this autobiography, which commemorates his 70th birthday, Enoma Alexander Bazuaye does not overlook the impact of his biological father – the late Chief Chike Nwafor Ekwuyasi – in the shaping of his life.

Other chapters of the book explore the voyage of Enoma Alexander through life starting from schooling across all levels of education to the stage of professional and humanitarian engagements.
Enoma’s primary education exposed him to the ways of the Lord especially at the Holy Cross Catholic School – a school which combined academics with religious and moral education.

At Holy Cross, Enoma and other children were exposed to selfless service in the service of humanity and God. At the school, Enoma and other children were always encouraged to clean inside of the church with sandpaper on Fridays in preparation for Sunday services. This experience contributed to the character formation of young Enoma and up till this moment that he is serving humanity and God. His academic excellence was developed at Government School, Warri (now known as Nana Primary School, Warri) when he mixed with brilliant students from well-cultured homes.

Although the initial experience at the Government School, Warri was not very pleasant for young Enoma because he had to repeat a class, it later paid off because it prepared him for greatness as we see today in his achievements and service to humanity and God.

The same brilliance and outstanding performances continued with his secondary education at Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida-Ora and Edo College, Benin City. It was at the Edo College, Benin City that Enoma had a clear understanding of what he wanted to do with his training as a medical doctor when his Biology teacher, Mr. Ofunne, of blessed memory asked of those who wanted to read medicine and be rich at the same time.

The teacher’s answer that one cannot be a medical doctor and be rich at the same time shaped his orientation that medical doctors are meant to serve humanity and God in modest manners. It is not a fluke that Enoma Alexander has been serving humanity conscientiously and consistently. His dream to study medicine came through with the admission into University of Benin to study medicine.

Although his admission came late, he tried, with strong determination and persistence, to cope with all the rigours of the medical school. In the medical school, Enoma Alexander was able to associate with brilliant minds such as Charles Osime, Ben Coker and Tokunbo Idemudia among others. Similarly, his membership of SKOMIT Club with Motto, the sky is our limit trained Enoma in the art of humility which we can all see in his professional and social relations with humans of all categories and walks of life.

His professional career started with his internship at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for a period of 12 months. He learnt more, professionally from Prof. Akenzuwa. The others were Prof. Jackson Omene, Angela Okolo, Prof James Obi, Dr Diakporeme and Dr Dominic Muogbo. He also learnt professionaly from Dr. David Connock who came from UK to work in the special Care Baby Unit.

The internship also exposed him to other area of medicine such as obstetrics and gynaecology. With the completion of internship and housemanship at UNIBEN Teaching Hospital, Enoma proceeded on the one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps programme and served at Ikire, a settlement close to Ibadan. The youth service programme made him to relate with different groups of people different from his ethnic group. His humility and professionalism endeared him to patients and members of the community. He advanced his professionalism in medicine by pursuing a postgraduate programme in medicine at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

His restlessness to pursue knowledge made him to travel to United Kingdom precisely New CastleUpon-Tyne in March 1988 to acquire more medical knowledge. At New CastleUpon-Tyne, he was priviledged to be trained by Prof. John Gibson, a renowned chest physician in the world at large and also the chairman of the society and that of the European respiratory society, well respected man, a brilliant physician and a researcher. Besides, Prof. Gibson was of good Christian faith with humane and humble character. This experience further strengthened Enoma’s professionalism as well as faith in God and humanity.

Enoma worked as a community medical doctor and as a Consultant Physician at Central Hospital Benin, and General Hospital, Warri. During his experience, he introduced chest clinic in Warri and trained some officers in residence.

Enoma Alexander felt the need to serve humanity through his medical knowledge and resigned his appointment with Edo State Government to establish his own hospital – Humanity Hospital – in Effurun, Warri. A man’s hard work and dedication to humanity and God would find him out among others. This was true when the late Prof. Tony Osaghai, former Vice Chancellor of the Igbinedion University, insisted that Enoma Alexander should be at least a part-time lecturer at Igbinedion University.

Owing to his success and professionalism, he was elected the Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Warri chapter. He was also the founder and pioneer Chairman, Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Delta State Branch. He played pivotal roles in this capacity. He advanced the course of serving humanity and God by dedicating his time and resources to Pro-Life activities with Pro Family Life Association of Nigeria (PLAN). With the Pro-Life activities, he was co-founder of Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria. He was also a founder and CEO of Humanity Family Health Foundation.

Enoma Alexander was a committed Catholic as shown in his faith, service to humanity and God. He is a member of Sacred Heart Society thereby demonstrating his strong belief in Catholic faith. He is also a member of the knight of St Mulumba. Despite his health challenges, Enoma Alexander is not deterred to serve humanity and God through his medical knowledge and professionalism.

His marriage to Anne Ikponmwosa is fruitful and prosperous with the blessing of 10 children – five boys and five girls. I hereby present to you the autobiography of Enoma Alexander Bazuaye-Ekwuyasi, a great man that has demonstrated Shakespeare’s canonical statement that a great man is born, greatness is made or greatness is attained.

Enoma Alexander was born great, he was made great by his professionalism/humanity and he attained greatness through great service to humanity and God. Hearty 70 cheers to you at the biblical three scores and 10 years old.
Awodiya is a retired Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Benin