In Novmber, 2016, the optometry world and the body of academia across the world, lost a lost a colossus. A thorough bred professional, pace setter, mentor, role model and leader, in the person of  Prof. Paul Ogbuehi, a renowned intellectual, eye care professional; who is unarguably the 'father of Optometry in Nigeria'.

 

Prof. P. O. as he is fondly called, made giant strides and monumental contributions to the Optometry profession in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. His university teaching (and clinical career) took him through  University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin,  King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Abia State Univeriaty, Uturu, Nigeria.

 

He was a teacher throughout his working life of 40 years. One year as science teacher in secondary school and 39  years  in university. He was a full professor for 26 years(1976-2002).

 

From a P.hd in Physics to professorship in Optometry, Prof.P.O.Ogbuehi's doggedness helped UNIBEN to become the first university based degree awarding programme in Black Africa. He taught optometry in UNIBEN for 14 years(1974-1988) and at that time, Optometry grew from a programme in the Department of physics to a full fledged department.  He also helped to build the Department of Optometry in Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria, where he later taught between 2000-2002.

 

Prof. P.O.Ogbuehi held the position of  Professor of Optometry in the College of Applied Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for  12 years(1988-2000) and helped to establish and build the Department of Optometry.

 

He was born in September, 1936 in Umuopara, Umuahia SouthLGA in Abia State to Chief and Lolo Stephen Ogbonna Ogbuehi. His education from the

high school level took him through the following institutions, Methodist College, Uzuakoli(Cambridge School Certificate, Grade 1); Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and later on, to University of Ibadan, B.Sc Physics,(London, Second Class Honours, Upper Division, 1959); New England College of Optometry, Boston, USA, O.D.(Doctor of Optometry, 1974).

 

His exploits at UNIBEN after graduating five Optometrists, who were among the first Nigerians to earn  degrees in the profession, gave new life to NOA and in 1976 the first NOA Conference/AGM/Scientific session was held at YMCA, Ikoyi, Lagos. He served as NOA secretary between 1977-1986 and later became NOA president from 1986-1988.. He served as chairman of Optometry and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria(ODORBN) between 2000-2001. He was the President of Nigerian College of Optometrists from 2009 until his demise.

 

His professional qualifications include:

Fellow, Nigerian College of Optometrists

Fellow, American Academy of Optometry

Fellow Nigerian Optometric Association

Fellow Nigerian Institute of Physics amongst others.

 

Prof. Ogbuehi's simplistic manner of teaching makes optometry concepts, easy to understand for his students. His visionary side helped a lot to boost the Optometry profession globally. His sense of humour and affability endears him to all, both young and old. He often expressed his delight for the level the Optometry profession has grown in Nigeria with hundreds of participants at AGM and an increased number practicing in the public sector, recalling how they were just about 20 Optometrists at the inaugural AGM and even fewer in public hospitals. He made great efforts to attend Optometry meetings despite his health condition in his later years. All these, redefined his status as a patriarch of Optometry in Nigeria.

 

Last year Abia State government honoured him with the prestigious title, Enyi Abia'for being one of the founding fathers of the state. He was the Chairman, Abia State Advisory Committee on Disability matters. He is a memberof Ridge Club , Umuahia and helped build its Squash court which was named after him. He is a trained spiritual companion of Ozuzu-Oke, a ministry in Methodist Church, Nigeria. He has twice served as chairman of Rotary Club in his chapter.  He is active in his comunity and has two chieftancy titles, Mgborogwu of Umuokpara and Akachi of Ezeleke.

 

Prof. Ogbuehi will be fondly missed by many. He is survived by his amiable wife, Chief Joanah U. Ogbuehi, a retired Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, a son, Prof.Kelechi Ogbuehi, a professor of Optometry  and Mrs.Ogonna C. Agbi, a chartered accountant. He will be laid to rest in his hometown, Umuokpara, Umuahia on Saturday, January, 21st, 2017.

 

Okey Egboluche is a public health Optometrist and Ocularist. He is a national executive of the Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care in Nigeria(AOPHCN). He writes from Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki

 

BY Okey Egboluche +2348064384707