A special tribute to the late Chief Jacob Ibom Azih
In the natural order of things, every good thing must come to an end, including life itself. On 19 February 2021, the People’s Man, Chief Jacob Ibom Azih, “Ochendo”, Daddy passed on to eternity.
OCHENDO! As you take the final bow after 78 years of eventful life on earth, we are consoled by the fact that you left your footprint on the sand of time and left good legacies for your children, grandchildren, kinsmen and community to follow. Your bloodline, your name and your character will live forever.
His Life and Legacy
Chief Jacob Azih came from humble beginnings. As a child, he studied and was able to become a teacher immediately after leaving high school. He left teaching and started working as a clerk at General Hospital Awgu, Enugu, Nigeria. As a result of his diligence to duty, he was recommended for advanced training and became a lab assistant. He then gained admission to study nursing at the General Nursing School and upon completion obtained his certified nursing certification (RN). He continued his professional work at Madonna University Hospital, River State as a nurse anesthetist chief nursing officer in conjunction with public health and primary care within his community.
Chief Jacob Ibom Azih was also known for his sportsmanship, participating in local football and tennis matches. It is not surprising to note that he was nominated as the Red Cap Chief representing Umuaja Family in Ezioha, Mgbowo, and was crowned as ‘OCHENDO’ 1 of EKPULATO MGBOWO by his elder brother, the then “Igwe” Victor Adumike Azih (ONYIMA 1 OFEKPULATO MGBOWO).
Chief Jacob Ibom Azih was the people’s man and father to all. A tree that indeed made a forest. Even as a young man and throughout his life, he extended his hands beyond the immediate family. He supported generations of relatives in their educational endeavours and professional life. Some went on to become doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners, chemists and much more. His house was a rallying point, the centre of activity where family-based decisions were made. One would often hear phrases like “let’s go to Ibe Jake” whenever critical issues were to be decided. He was always available to show leadership and direction. We all looked up to him not only as “The People’s Man”, but as a mentor and problem-solver. When he was widowed many years ago, he single-handedly brought up five teenagers, a daunting task for most men of his generation. He rose to the task of single parenting, leaving behind a set of accomplished young men and woman. As God would have it, the humblest woman became his helpmeet. Mary joined the family and continued to support Chief Azih in all his endeavours.
As he was to his immediate Azichukwu family, so was he to Umuaja, to Ukpukpa community and to Ezioha Mgbowo. No wonder he was bestowed with the honorable title of “Ochendo” (The One that provides a Comforting Shadow).
As he was in his community, so he was in his career, an accomplished nurse practitioner who cared deeply for his patients. As a nurse anesthetist, he also operated on patients as his consultant worked on another patient. His consultant had so much confidence in his skills that they would ask him to start operating on patients if they were held up somewhere (as often was the case).
Daddy you made us proud. We hope to learn from your humility, generosity, meekness, slow to anger attitude. Your legacy will never die. We bid you farewell and eternal rest, until that great day when we shall meet again.
Chief Jacob Ibom Azih is survived by his wife Mary, four sons, one daughter, four grandchildren, and two daughters-in-law.
Subrina Hall Azih is a Trinidadian Educator residing in New York.
