Mary Ogebe: A quintessential star @75

By: Ebo Adikwu

Dr. (Mrs) Mary Dija Ogebe MBBS. DA, unarguably, scores first in many respects. She stands tall above her peers. She is a trail blazer and first female Medical Doctor in Northern Nigeria.

Her foray into the medical profession at a time no woman from that part of the country dreamt of it was akin to daring the impossible. But this amazon of inestimable value dared where “angels” feared to thread.

A great Akokoite, who graduated from the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1971 braced the odds and indeed succeeded. She is married to Justice James Ogebe, the retired erudite Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. They are blessed with children.

As Dr. (Mrs) Ogebe marks her 75th year on earth today, we take a cursory look at her exploits.

Mrs Ogebe was born on January 21, 1944 in Shere in the present day Plateau State. She started her primary education in 1952 in Shere and Fobur, Plateau State. She completed her primary education in 1958 in Bununu Dass, Bauchi State.

On completion of her primary education, she proceeded to Girls High School, Gindiri in Plateau State from 1959 to 1963, where she obtained West African School Certificate, with a resounding Division one. She thereafter enrolled at the famous Queens College, Lagos in 1964 to 1965 for her Higher School Certificate (HSC). She was among the best graduating students. Little Mary gained admission into the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), College of Medicine where she obtained MBBS in 1971.

She went for post graduate course in Anaesthetic in United Kingdom from January 1974 to August 1974, where a certificate in course of instructions in Anaethesia was awarded her by British Technical Assistance Programme.

Anaesthesia is one of the greatest discoveries of modern Medicine. In fact, in practical terms of surgery, many of today’s operations, especially for the very neonate, very old or very ill would not be possible without an Anaesthetic. For her quest and passion for knowledge, Dr. Ogebe gained admission to the University of Ibadan in October 1974 and graduated in 1975 with Diploma in Anaesthesia.

No doubt, Dr. Ogebe has inspired many women to study medicine and made appreciable landmark in the field of Medicine.

She has eloquent testimony in the family Medicine and Anaesthetics. After graduation from Medical school, she started her Housmanship in Jos General Hospital from 1971 to 1972. As a House Officer, she had a harmonious relationship with the senior doctors, colleagues, nurses and other staff.

Between 1972 and 1981, she was a Registrar/Senior Reg. Anaesthetist in Jos and Makurdi General Hospitals respectively. Dr. Ogebe became the Chief Consultant Anaesthetist in General Hospital, Makurdi in 1983. Also, in Makurdi General Hospital, she was a medical superintendent.

Before her retirement from civil service in March 1991, she was a Chief Executive Secretary, Health Service Management Board, Benue State.

Dr. Ogebe held several appointments. Among such notable appointments were; State Executive Secretary/State Manager of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Benue State from 1991 to 1992. Also, between May 1992 and October 1995, she was a General Practitioner/Anaesthetist Benoni Hospital Ltd. in Benin City, Edo State.

Dr. Ogebe was also a visiting consultant Anaesthetist to Kaduna State General hospital, NNPC Industrial Hospital between January 1996 and June 1999.

To make more positive impact in the society and act as a fountain of knowledge for the younger ones to draw from, Dr. Ogebe has conducted trainings for over five sets of nursing practitioners in theory and practice of Anaesthesia in Benue State between 1978 and 1986.

Dr. Ogebe considers the usage of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) for replacement of lost electrolyte very important. It was on this premise that she conducted a survey on the knowledge and practice of family planning methods and Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) useful for modern society.

She belongs to the school of thought that says “Traveling is part of education” Dr. Ogebe travelled to all nooks and crannies of the globe during her vocational assignment and Christian activities in search of knowledge. For her passion and service to humanity especially women, she received the 1990 National Council of Women Society (NCWS) award in recognition of her contributions towards the advancement of Nigerian Womanhood from Mrs Maryam Babangida the late wife of former Head of State Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

Dr. (Mrs) Ogebe a renowned consultant, health planner, health manager, an Anaesthetist and a Family Health Programmer was a board member, panelist and head of some agencies in 1981, and was invited on Regional Consultation Committees of World Vision International (African Region). She was also a member of the board of governors of Vom Christian hospital, Plateau State, as well as a member of the board of trustee of “the Leprosy Mission Nigeria and Leprosy Mission International Board, UK between 2000 and 2013.

She is a trustee of the Tabita Evangel Ministry International Jebu, Miango and grand matron, board of advisors, the Chairos Foundation Lagos. She is also the Chairman Board of Trustee, IZANO Leadership and Peace Initiative, Abuja..

Dr. Ogebe celebrates her 75th birthday today with the launch of her biography, “Celebrating an unsung heroine: A Biography of the first female Medical Doctor in Northern Nigeria.”

Congratulations to a woman of many firsts and valour!

(Credit: DailyTrust)