It was strange, unbelievable when Dr UAC Okafor called and informed me that Mummy Odia called to inform us that she was rushing prof to LUTH A & E. He was actually BID, from the first hospital he rushed to. Is that how people die? I was with Prof a day before his demise (i.e. December 6th 2015) at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, when we were discussing preparations for the breakfast fellowship of the church I am the Vicar (Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, Lawanson), which took place on 12th December 2015. To be candid, his death was not really a problem, it is the vacuum created by his exit; in the immediate family, NSP family, our Physiotherapy department of Unilag, Church of God (Chapel Volunteer Singers and Committee for the disable in particular) etc. How do we handle these? The Physiotherapy department of Unilag already scheduled a role for him during our repacked "Induction this year". I also understand that our Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board was going to honour the following week. What can we say "although we love to keep chewing this particular ‘meat’ in our ‘mouth’, unfortunately the strong pull of the centripetal force of the ‘throat’ will not allow us". I will personally miss prof. Odia for many reasons.
He was a great teacher (the best massage teacher I ever met); he was a very caring father and god-father (he was the chairman of our (my wife and I) wedding reception); he was a great mentor (ever ready to impact ready mentee – those of us that are members of the O-Z Physiotherapy Clinic can attest very well to this. When I returned to Chapel of the Healing Cross after my NYSC 1996, I just resumed at O-Z Physiotherapy Clinic, without interview and I was posted to Lagoon Hospital, until 1997, when I got employment with the Nigerian Railway Hospital, EB, Lagos. In 1998, prof started arranging a Master study for me, in the USA with one of his friends, and in the same year the University of Ibadan started a Post-graduate, and prof was too glad to give me a strong recommendation (together with Prof IO Owoeye) even in bereavement at the time. That was how I became one of the pioneers of the PG programme of Physiotherapy department, University of Ibadan. Prof GIO was ever ready to help; even in his old age. He was really a rear gem, his active life style was something most of us admire – He regularly played Lawn Tennis till he was visited by death.
As a member of Chapel of the healing Cross, Prof introduced me to Chapel Volunteer Singers (CVS), Committee for the Disabled (CODISA), Monthly Elders meeting (I was Physiotherapist), Prison Ministry etc.
A real gem has just been snatched away from us. What can we say? May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. I pray that God (Himself) will console us all, particularly Mummy Odia.