A Brief Biography of Dr. Callistus Ejike Eze
MBBS (Nig.), DAvMed (UK)
By Ifeanyi Eze
It was at the University of Nigeria Nsukka that Ejike first met his future wife, love and pride (Ugom), Chinenye Anulika Umeh. They became best of friends and he proposed to her after they graduated and were ready for marriage. On March 12, 2005, Chinenye (Nenye) and Ejike (Ejy) made their marital vows at the wedding mass celebrated by His Lordship, Most Reverend Anthony Gbuji (Bishop Emeritus of Enugu Diocese) at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Asata, Enugu. On July 20, 2006, their union was blessed further with the birth of their beautiful, smart and intelligent daughter, Chimamanda Clare Eze.
Previously, after completing his tour in the Northern part of the country where he did his Housemanship in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State (February 2003 – February 2004) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Jigawa Hospital Management Board Jahun, Jigawa State (April 2004 – February 2005), Ejike had chosen to be domiciled in Lagos State, where he eventually also made his new family home “away from home”. For some time, Ejike worked as a General Practitioner at Kupa Medical Center Ltd. Lagos, while continually seeking professional enhancement. In 2008, Ejike eventually achieved a Diploma in Aviation Medicine (DAvMed) from Kings College (Royal Air Force Centre for Aviation Medicine) in London, United Kingdom. His return with zeal to Nigeria to practice this new-found interest was dashed for some time and eventually in 2010, he started work at St. Emmanuel Hospital (Clinic) and Maternity in Lagos where he worked as a Senior Medical Officer. Life was never quite rosy, even as a medical doctor. Ejy accepted and did some odd jobs to make ends meet when he had only a part-time practice or none at all. By continued Providence, as characteristic of his journey in life, he later gained employment as Assistant General Manager (AGM) in Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) where he worked as a Medical Assessor in the Aeromedical Standards Department, Directorate of Licensing till he passed into glory. His life and work requirements afforded him the experience of travel many times to towns and cities all over Nigeria as well as several countries, including Ghana, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States.
Through it all, Ejy remained wholehearted in his service to God and in relationship to his neighbour, especially his family. He not only regularly attended or assisted at holy mass, but also fully engaged in and involved his family with parish service and prayer ministries. He volunteered as the secretary of the Parish Mobilization Committee (PMC) of St. Jude Catholic Church, Mafoluku, Lagos and later served from 2015 to 2018, as a Councillor in the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). He volunteered as a Pre-Marriage Course facilitator in his Parish, St Jude’s Catholic Church Mafoluku Lagos where he instructed couples with zeal. Outside of the Parish, he also counselled various couples in need. He occasionally attended Opus Dei Doctrinal Classes in members’ homes and the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary Home Adoration for his group. He remained a member of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. In consideration of his devotion to our mother Mary, he was honoured with an award from the Catholic Women Organization of his Lagos Parish as a Marian Ambassador in 2019. Beyond the immediate parish, Ejy also sought nourishment of his knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith through participation in Opus Dei recollections when possible and reading numerous books, publications and articles of the church.
“Through it all, Ejy remained wholehearted in his service to God and in relationship to his neighbour, especially his family.”
On the final day of the earthly portion of Ejy’s life, he loved and served his God and his neighbour, endeavouring to fulfil his obligations at mass, amongst his friends and acquaintances and even at the office, for his patients and countrymen as well as with his family at home and around town. When his witness was fully borne, the Lord willed to call home his servant, Callistus Ejike Emmanuel Eze on the night of December 22, 2019.
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Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the soul of Callistus Ejike Eze and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Callistus Ejikeme Eze was born on October 12, 1975 at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Nigeria, first son to Dr. Callistus J. Eze and Mrs. Laetitia N. Eze of Umuezenneji Amaokwu village, Umuezemeazu Autonomous community – Urualla Clan in Ideato North L.G.A. of Imo State, Nigeria. Ejike was raised partly in Abakpa-Nike, Enugu and partly in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, where his 3 siblings, brothers Chidiebere and Ifeanyi, and sister Ijeamaka, joined the family. He attended Ekulu Primary School (now, All-Saints Primary) in G.R.A., Enugu and there began the nurturing and fostering of his trademark intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.
His parents inculcated in him Roman Catholic Christian practice from home and, initially, with the communities of St. Theresa parish, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu and St. John parish, Urualla. He completed sacraments of initiation and, for Confirmation, took the name Emmanuel for his Lord and Savior. Ejike developed early a fulsome manner in all his relationships: God, family, neighbors, parishioners, friends, schoolmates, acquaintances and later, in-laws, colleagues, patients, etc.
“It was at the University of Nigeria Nsukka that Ejike first met his future wife, love, and pride (Ugom), Chinenye Anulika Umeh. They became best of friends and he proposed to her after they graduated and were ready for marriage. On March 12, 2005, Nenye and Ejy made their marital vows at the wedding mass celebrated by His Lordship, Most Reverend Anthony Gbuji (Bishop Emeritus of Enugu Diocese) at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Asata, Enugu. On July 20, 2006, their union was blessed further with the birth of their beautiful, smart and intelligent daughter, Chimamanda Clare Eze.”
After graduating from MBJ, Kharl gained admission into University of Nigeria, Nsukka to study Medicine and Surgery in 1994. Despite the rigorous nature of his course, he was very focused in his worship of God and continued his membership in the League of Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was also a member of the Catholic Medical Students Association (CAMSA), was seen as one of the backbones of the association, and would give talks during some of the weekly meetings of the association. He attended Mass regularly and though not a member of Opus Dei, was committed to attending recollections at the Opus Dei Center which was just outside the School Campus where he resided. He later moved from Nsukka to Enugu Campus the following year to continue his medical education yet remained an ardent member of the association for Catholic Medical Students, by then renamed the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS). He eventually became the National Secretary of FECAMDS for the 1997/98 session, when the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus was the national secretariat for the association. Kharl co-founded the Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MEDRHUS) in 1998. He also a member of Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students. Despite his involvements in the Church, he remained focused in his studies. With perseverance and trust in the God’s grace, he earned his MBBS degree from University of Nigeria College of Medicine in 2001.
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