This Sociology Maestro Was My Biggest Influence On The Intellectual Turf

He was one of those “limited edition” scholars whose ideals should never be forgotten. Dr Andrew Okolo Obiajulu, from Nza, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State, was my Lecturer and Mentor before his passing in 2016.

Everyone who encountered him — his colleagues, students and family — would attest to his academic brilliance, intellectual rigor and rock-steady character!

An author of many academic books and journal papers. A Teacher par excellence. A reservoir of Sociological knowledge and father-figure of enviable class. I remember how he took pains to monitor my academic progress, and charged me to look towards the “classroom”.

When I told him, in one of our conversations, that “Lecturers are poor people, and I wouldn’t want to be poor”. That was the day he showed me a sneak peak into what he was worth and asked me, “Ejimofor, if not for primitive accumulation of societal resources that one does not need, how much do we really need to go through life?”

Like my Mentor and Benefactor, Prof. Soludo, would say, “No one is too poor that they have nothing to give”. So, last year, in his honour, we initiated an award to remind budding Sociology scholars in UNIZIK that there was once a distinct Nigerian Sociologist who taught and lived a life of excellence! This year, we shall be hosting the second edition all in pursuit of Excellence!

Continue to Rest in Peace Dr Obiajulu!

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara PhD.