Introducing Nowa Omoigui

Nowa Omoigui is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease*** at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology with special expertise in Interventional Cardiology (Angioplasty, Stents etc.), Dr. Omoigui also has a Masters Degree in Public Health with particular interest in Health Resource Management and Policy. He has many publications in Medical journals. Nowa Omoigui is a graduate of University of Ibadan's famous College of Medicine in Nigeria.

***[Update: Nowa left the academic position in January of 2000, and became founder and CEO of the Cardiovascular Care Group, PA in Columbia, SC]

Dr. Omoigui's postgraduate training in medical education was obtained in the United States at the University of Rochester, New York; University of Illinois, Chicago; Stanford University, Palo Alto; and the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio.

For his pre-medical education, Nowa Omoigui is a beneficiary of the best education Nigeria had to offer, before the country's current malaise. For his secondary school education, he attended Federal Government College, Warri, and King's College, Lagos. For his undergraduate education, he studied at the University of Ibadan.

Because many of our members and Web site readers have asked how a medical doctor has become so adept in the analysis and explanation of various issues in Nigerian public affairs, we posed that question to Nowa Omoigui. The following is his autobiographical account of how he has developed such a profound interest in Nigerian public affairs.

In His Own Words

"My amateur interest in History, Political Science and Strategic studies dates back to the sixties. My father was a federal civil servant. As a three year old, I lived in the same neighborhood (MacDonald Avenue) as Chief Anthony Enahoro and the late Senator Dalton Asemota (my mother's uncle) in Ikoyi, Lagos. Events relating to the Treasonable Felony Trial [of Obafemi Awolowo and Anthony Enahoro, among others], creation of the Midwest Region and the funeral of Senator Asemota were closely followed by my parents and many discussions were held in my presence, major elements of which, strangely, I still recall! As a seven year old, my family and I were awakened in the early hours of January 15, 1966, by our neighbor on Milverton Road (a British police officer) to tell us about the first coup. During the civil war I was the victim of a number of Biafran air-raids (which I never forgot).

"When I completed my school certificate [education at the secondary school level], I initially wanted to join the Air Force, but my Dad talked me out of it. My other options were Law, Architecture and Medicine, because I had the grades to do anything I wanted. (My father insisted that it had to be a self-employable "profession") In the early seventies when I arrived at UI [University of Ibadan, for non-Nigerian readers] as an undergraduate student, I became an aggressive reader of the literature, frequently spending all my pocket money on non-medical (military) books. I was an active participant in social study discussions while at UI and frequently attended lectures (as a stow-away) in the Faculty of Social Sciences along with my room-mates and friends. I even took part in essay competitions and was a prominent member of the debating society. I joined the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London [while I was still a student at Ibadan]. I was a member of the Students Representative Council (SRC) and a student representative on the Justice Fakayode Committee on "Organization and Management" established by the Council of the University of Ibadan.

"As a medical student, I became President of University's Medical Student Association and represented Nigeria (as National Vice President) at the International Conference in Turkey. This period of my life also saw my cultivation of numerous life-long friendships among Army officers, which was enhanced by being posted to the Army for my NYSC experience [a compulsory national service for university graduates]. In 1983, I was honored with a national award by President Shagari on the basis of my contributions (as an NYSC member) to the development of a training program for the military [that would enable it to participate in] air, land and sea casualty evacuation and disaster management in support of civil authority. I left Nigeria two years later but have maintained my interests in Nigerian politics, military history, and strategic studies ever since.

"I should add to this little summary of my background and interests that I am a member of the South Carolina Military History Club. I am also an amateur Gun and Military Aircraft recognition enthusiast. I happen to be a sharpshooter as well."

Reprinted Courtesy of www.nigerianscholars.africanqueen.com

Comments

[sam]

I share thesame interest, however mine stemmed from having relatives in the brigade of guards (Dodan Barracks)during Gowon's tenure and while late Gen. Vatsa (then Col)was the commander.Incindentally, I met Gen Vatsa then and Iyorshe, Oche, Effiong,etc on many occasions only to find out in West Africa that they were being tried for treason.However, it was clear Iyorshe was heading for trouble.He used to live at Victoria Island when he was military sec. to Gen. Danjuma.This why I enjoy your articles.Orka used to carry rifle around in Ibadan.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

SAM

[Charles Bell]

http://1914-1918.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=22574

you may be interested to see the attached

[Dr Salmon Omokanye]

I am delighted to stumble on the whereabout of Nowa, whom I had adored for outstanding intellect.
I am not surprised he emigrated to America.
By loosing such extraordinary talents like Nowa, Nigeria will take longer to achieve greatness.
A country needs thinkers for strategic direction.
Dr Salmon Omokanye
England

[Osagie Idehen]

Hi Nowa,
I'm greatly delighted to have come accross one of your wonderful works: "The Bakassi Story". I'm a graduate student of International Relations in Germany and i'm doing a paper on Bakassi Peninsula. The title is "The Nigeria-Cameroun Peace Negotiations over the Bakassi Peninsula". I would be grateful if you could send me some useful materials/references on the peaceful negotiations that took place between the 2 countries.
I'm sorry this is not a comment but a request. But if i may briefly comment, you're a gem. You're not only an accomplished medical doctor but also a force to be recond with on global, social and political issues. We're proud having you as a Naija man.

[Olusegun Izokun]

Good Day Dr Omoigui,
I am so glad to have come across this site, i was looking for a way to be in contact with you when i saw your articles on the Edo-Nation website.
I respectfully want to ask for your help; concerning your articles on the Edo-Nation website, in fact two of them to be precise; "The Edo-Akure Question" and the "Edo Origin of Ile-Ife Monarchy". I would like to know how I could get copies of those articles, I tried printing them off the website but they seem to be protected against copyright.
Please sir, if you could take some time off your busy schedule to email me copies of those two articles and if possible any other article you have written concerning the Benin/Yoruba issue I would be very grateful.
I'm actually trying to come to an acceptable point of agreement with some friends about which monarch was first in existence.

Yours Respectfully,
Ulosegun Izokun

[Uche Eze Nkatta Idika]

I can't express the joy I had when I first saw Prof Nowa's works on the Dawodu website. It was when I had to present a paper on the Role of Diplomacy in the Settlement of the Bakassi Crisis and was making research on that.

What I found particularly interesting with Prof is that, though he is a Professor in Medicines, he has a scrupulous knowledge about his country and continent. Like Achebe said, any writer who doesn’t write about the political and social malaise of his country is like the proverbial man who leaves his house burning to pursue a rat fleeing from the fire.

Prof’s readiness to always assist students in their quest for knowledge is only but a glaring indication of his commitment to help mankind in this world fraught with enigmas and miseries. I remember how he had to promptly respond to my mail when I requested that he review my Paper on Bakassi.

Finally, I can’t sign out without acknowledging JIMBI MEDIA for the wonderful work they are doing to honour the intellectuals of our continent. It started by creating websites for Cameroonian writers and now it includes Nigerian scholars like Prof Nowa. To the JIMBI Team, I say, thumbs up for you, posterity will never forget you.
Uche Eze Nkatta Idika
Department of Pol. Sc. & Pub. Admin.
University of Buea, Cameroon
West Africa

[Frank Longe]

Hi Nowa,

Long time. Been wanting to link you up all this while. I am one of those who can say that I heard and saw all your interest in military and political history both in FGC Warri and in UI. Your passion for these two was very clear then. I remember clearly you telling me discussions you had with your uncle Dr. Sam Ogbemudia on Nigeria's military and political history just before the end of the 1st term of Shagari's presidency. I also remember our discussing the action group big guns during the build up to the second republic.

I shall give you a call when next i am in the US. My regards to your family.

Franky Jay Parker

[Louis Mosake Njomo]

Dear Dr Nova
it is with pride i seize this opportunity to congratulate you for the wonderful work you are doing in disseminating academic information to the world . i am a cameroon, a masters student in the Department of Historical studies University of Cape Town, South Africa. I looking towards presenting a paper on the Bakassi Crisis. Please i will be very grateful if some material is sent to me on the role the French government played in the course of the crisis.
i am looking forward to read from you
thanks Louis

[nosa usuanlele]

dear Dr Nowa
I am greatly impressed by the enormous work you have done in the documentation of, contribution to and the development of the nigerian history and precisely the great edo people. My first contact with Dr nowa omoigui was through his award winning poem writing when he was at the FGC Warri publish i think by the Bendel state education board or so i was greatly impressed by that i think we still have that book in my family home in Benin. Before i started seeing your work on the Edo nation website . As an engineer i developed interest in Edo History because of my brother who also has done a lot in the promotion of Edo history . I was not disappointed when i attended the 5th Eghareva memorial lecture life when i saw this distinguished medical Doctor deliver the lecture on his so beloved people. I greatly appreciate you for all you are an inspiration to those of us young Binis that we can become, achieve and contribute to the development of the edo people no matter where we find ourselves. Thanks for being great for us.

[Andrew Ogwiji]

I am impressed by the high standard of Historical information presented on this web domain by Dr Nowa Omoigui. The content of the Vasta coup was important to me because my father was Commander Andrew Achukwu Ogwiji. The content was consise professional and impartial. I hope you can continue providing your expertise to the nation, its value worth is like gold.
ps my father was a Commander and not a Commodore, and I personally thank you for issues discussed in the document. It is refreshing to know some care about the patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and you are a forerunner in immortalising their rememberance. Yakubu Andrew Ogwiji

[Bolarinde Ola]

Dear Nowa,
I am one of few privileged to know you as a colleague at medical school in Ibadan. I do occasionaly visit your website; and think you are doing a great service to our country.
No one, who knew you in medical school, could be at all surprised by your interests, or the quality and weight of your political commentaries, or by your professional achievements.

Bravo! Keep up the good work
Bolarinde Ola

[Olu Ojedokun]

Dear Sir,

I was at King's College from 1977 to 1984, at the time, in my 1st year there was a Citizen Omoigui, Obinechei's (School Captain) classmate, he was also a writer of 'Change Magazine', I wonder whether it is you.

Regards

[W]

Nowa Nowa Nowa ...I become interactive with Nowa by chance just over a couple of years ago and have found him a deeply intellectual and calm resource.... A little too calm for my rabid mind.....

Nowa reminds me of another friend/mentor-Tare Brisbee. The crucial thing about such
personalities is that they are like the "Halleys commet"...."so you have to task, apply or challenge them because they come around once in a while as Mark Twain noted.

Some months ago, in the heat of email exchange's that Nowa mediated.. someone had referred to Nowa as a sage-when i read that, i sat thinking...these "funny people" and their sense of grandeur...why cant they just say hes a smart and nice guy...then i dedicated time to reading his works and concluded Nowa was more than just a smart nice guy...Nowa is special...and its more than just his intellectual theme-interest and capability....He is a good honest man.

Hey Nowa...in all i have read...you have written ...i have only come across your opinion once....Let "us" into your mind-set....all the best,
W

[Dapo Shobowale]

Are you in anyway related to Nosa Omogui ( ex Microsoft employee) ?

[Africa]

Sir,
I wish to thank you soo much for bringing to light what history have bestowed for us.I am a Cameroonian student in Germany and I come from Mudemba-Ndian Division not far from where the Bakassi penisular is.
For years I have tried to look into textbooks from cameroon,question some of my elders to know what happen, where and when but to noavail.There area of the Penisular is a historical black hole to the people of that area.Opinium are greatly differnts and divided among the people since most of the historical facts are within reach of the people.This I understand is the working of the British and UN as well as both Governments who seems to be doing their own business without the full participation of the Local people.
Once again thanks.

[FELIX OSAGIE OKUGBE]

dear dr nowa (or is it nowamagbe?)
my name is felix okugbe a tv sports journalist from edo state. i stumbled unto your accurate details of coups in nigeria from nzeogwu to orkar and i have been arresred by it in the past three days. please acknowledge this mail and wew shall open a new chapter.what in a cardiologist training could have inspired such literary patriotism? please get in touch.FELIX.

[Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye]

Dear Dr. Omigui:

I finally got to your website, after I had sent you a mail today requesting to speak with you. The request remains open, but until we talk, permit me to convey to you my most profound impressions of your work and interests. You are a man with a rare combination of talents. Your work and the diversity of your interests are self-evident, just as they are impressive. Please keep it up.

Emeka Ugwuonye

[george pope]

Hi Nowa Found you here quite by accident. I too have huge respect for you, your writtings and your work. Please keep it up. george pope

[Dilibe Aneke]

Dr Nowa Omoigui,

After reading these articles on the various history on Nigeria, I have to give you a big thumbs ups. You have done a lot of immense research to give us superior outcomes on your knowledge about our great country. I have been in touch with events back home in Nigeria and am delighted with particularly your accounts on the Nigerian military, which I think was succinct and enlightening. I am delighted with particularly the progress and developments your leadership has institutionalized in our great country. Please keep it up and we will continue to pray to the Almighty God to protect and guide us in our service to Nigeria.

Also Go Game cocks.

[Joseph Jibunoh - Attorney Lagos]

I congratulate you for your research and web site which has become a source of information for me on military history. I am most surprise that you are a medical doctor and not a professional historian or social scientist. This has encourageed me to pursue my interests which are not necessarily within my area of academic qualification. It would seem that one needs the kind of passion you have to succeed in any chosen vocation. Thank you.

[Dr Olu Ojedokun]

Hello,

It is very evident that you have fast become one of the pre-eminent commentators and historians on Nigerian military/political history. I wonder whether you have any indication where one may obtain information about active military combatants that played a prominent role in the field of operations during the Nigerian Civil war.

I am particularly interested in details about Col. Ogunkanmi(Alimi) now late, who was injured in and around Port Harcourt during the civil war. He lived to survive the war but remained wheel chair bound till he died.

Thank you for your assistance,

Regards,

Dr Olu Ojedokun

[Ade Adedeji]

As a fellow student of Nigerian military history and military kid, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your work and am very impressed by the breadth and depth of your analysis. Equally worthy of commendation is that your work is probably the most objective and balanced account of events in Nigeria's tragic political history.

I feel that this should be required reading for secondary school children in Nigeria as opposed to learning solely about Mungo Park.

I look forward to reading more of your work which I liken to Bob Woodward's expose on American political history.

Kudos.

[sama fred]

Goodday Dr
I am a political science student at the university of Buea in Cameroon and will be delighted to have some more information on the bakassi issue in relation to international security.Please iam sorry this is a request not a comment but getting to share your knowlege is a pride for me and hope one day i become an analyst just like yourself.May the lord bless you more.Best of regards

[Ikenna J. Agbeze]

Thanks a lot, Doctor, for giving us these doses of our past to keep some of us steered in the right direction for a better Nigeria and with a better perspective of Nigeria.

[Albert Oguejiofor MD MRCP]

Dr. Omoigui,
Please write me with your email address. I have an informational mail for you from Col. Patrick Anwunah. You may reach me on my cell phone 7134987130.
Thanks