From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
On the glorious date, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Prof. Mark Okoro Chijioke, one of the greatest physicsts Nigeria has ever produced, passed on. He died at a very ripe age of 95.
He was an academic giant who impacted knowledge and was source of inspiration to many global acknowleged Professors, erudite scholars, entrepreneurs,etc till the end of his sojourn on earth.
One of his such feats, is the evergreen INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY(IMT), Enugu, which has remained one of the finest polytechnics in Nigeria.
Late Professor Mark Okoro was on the forefront of the birth of IMT in 1973, which originally was known as College of Technology and Institute of Administration.The defunct East Central State government led by the Military,Col. Ukpabi Asika brought him on a rescue mission aftermath of the ugly effects of the Nigeria Civil wars. Prof.Mark revolutionised IMT into a technology driven institution with innovations that were asserted to be too advanced for polytechnics in Nigeria,by the then Federal Minister of Education, Col. Ali, who compelled the management to remove most of the advanced courses and programmes.
Fifty years after, the Institute of Management ant Technology(IMT) Enugu, still maintains its stronghold as one of the best ten polytechnics in Nigeria in academcs and human resource development, based on the standard set by it’s premiier Rector, Prof. Mark Okoro Chijioke.
To that extent, the current management of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) led by the acting Rector, Dr Emeka Patrick Ejim, deemed it fit to name one of the structures in IMT after Prof.Mark Okoro Chijioke, as a way of immortalising him.
The IMT acting Rector, Dr Patrick Ejim, made the pronouncement at the occassion of ‘Laying in state ceremony’ accorded to the remains of late Prof. Mark Okoro Chijioke by the IMT community,held at Campus 3 axis of the institution on Thursday, October 17.
Dr Ejim who was represented by IMT Public Relations Officer (PRO),Barrister Mark Eze, at the final funeral at Ugwuavo Arochukwu, Abia state,on Friday,October 18, reiterated the resolve of the current IMT management to immortalise its first Rector, late Prof. Mark Okoro Chijioke, by naming one of the structures in the institution after him.
Both IMT management and the IMT ALUMNI ably led by Mazi Agodi Kanu and Dr.Oliver Ngwoke, played eminent roles in the final funeral rites accorded to the pioneer Rector of IMT.
They participated fully in the funerals which started with ‘Service of Songs’ held at Enugu Campus of University of Nigeria(UNEC),on Monday, October 14, and followed up to the Funeral service held at’All Saints Cathedral Ugwuavo, Arochukwu,on Friday, October 18.
His first son, Prof. Chioli Pascal Chijioke, who spoke on behalf of the family, extolled the contributions of the IMT community to the funerals of their beloved father,tmore especially to the IMT ALUMNI for having attended to his welfare recently,before his demise.
The series of final funerals accorded to the academic giant, Late Professor Mark Okoro Chijioke,was extra ordinary, It brought home his sons and close friends from different parts of the globe to Enugu, where they were brought up and further to their ancestral home of Ugwuavo Arochukwu,Abia state.His wife,Mary Ellen Chijioke and biological sons, Prof.Chioli Pascal Chijioke,Serge Ikenga Chijioke,Obinna Chijioke,Akobuije Chijioke,Eric Chijioke and Chinezi Chijioke and grand children participated in the beffitting burial to their hero.
Friends and institutions across the globe who could not make it, sent in their tributes.
Among them were the board of the’North Carolina African Services Coalition(NCASC). In the tribute signed by its Executive Director, Million Mekonnem, said his institution valued the voluntary services and commitment to the growth of the organisation.
The Project Development Instrtue(PRODA) Enugu, also sympathised with the family. The Director General, Engr.Dr.Okwudilichukwu Ogbobe,in his tribute said Prof.Mark touched the lives of many.
Godfrey Okoye University Enugu, in their tribute signed by it’s Registrar, DrNnamdi Ene,described Prof. Mark Okoro Chijioke,as a renowned scholar and legendary innovator,who was a rare gift to humanity.
Tributes also came from University of Nigeria(UNN), Veritas University, Abuja, Old Boys,Govt. School Umuahia,from different personalities and town unions, which Prof. Chijioke enjoined their comradeship before his demise.
The series of befitting final funerals on behalf of the legendary academic giant, Prof.Mark Okoro Chijioke, ended with a thanks giving service(outing service),also held at ‘All Saints Cathedral’Ugwuavo Arochukwu,Abia state, on Sunday. October 20. It was attended by the family and friends of the family.
