Francis Ndimkoha: I want to talk about my Academic Father, Prof. Sam Onuigbo
by Francis Udoka Ndimkoha, PhD
As soon as I arrived the University, on Sunday 3rd of August 2025, ahead of my defense, the next day, I made straight to his house.
I got there, at about 9pm, after the doors were already shut, but it is “my home” too, so the doors were thrown open, the moment I identified myself.
Throughout my post graduate programme, from Masters Degree, through PhD, I was always welcome to that house, and had all the privileges of a son. I drove every car in that house, at will, including his personal Pathfinder jeep, back then. That was how much liberties I was permitted.
So, it was with a sense of duty, that I had to visit, that night, to officially inform him, that I had a date with Destiny, the next day.
You could see how visibly excited he was, to hear that I was set to become an academic red cap chief.
I knew he had no role to play, on my big day, having gracefully retired, three months ago, in May 2025, so I wasn’t informing him for selfish reasons, but purely because he deserved to know, just like I informed my biological father, before I left to the University, that day.
So, after I duly informed me, he laid hands on my research work, and prayed for me, declaring the exercise a “walk over”. And before he could finish praying, I found myself kneeling in front of him, as I said Amen.
I left, that night, more confident, as I returned to my hotel room, to commence a last minute preparation that strayed far, into dawn.
The next day, we were at the department, and the defense commenced, on schedule. And just as I was about to take my turn, there he was! As though he’s been keeping tabs, from a distance. Prof. Sam Onuigbo, the internationally acclaimed authority in English As a Second Language (ESL) and stylistics, and co-Author of Intensive English, which I read, in my secondary school. He had co-Authored that monumental series, alongside other great linguists like Prof. Benson Oluikpe and Prof. Emeka Otagburuagu.
He showed up, for me, though he had no stake in the defense, having retired. But he has always prioritised my matter, and remains a major reason I cannot leave the classroom, even after this PhD, because he keeps inspiring me, to reach for new heights, and new challenges.
He was the Head of Department, when I did my proposal defense, for the programme, but now, he’s taking a deserved rest, having reached the ripe age.
Of course, I returned again, the night after the defense, to inform him, that it all went successfully, as he prayed. I had to do this, despite the fact that he showed up, himself. He deserved it.
I cannot be grateful enough, to Prof. Sam Onuigbo and his wife, Prof. Lizzy Onuigbo, for being a bundle of inspiration, till date.
I had first met Prof. Onuigbo, as an undergraduate, through his son, Chinedu Ned Onuigbo, PhD, who was then the National President of National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), while I was Department President, at the Imo State University, Owerri. I was later to aspire, though unsuccessfully, for the National Presidency, at an international conference held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, back then.
I have benefitted immensely from that contact, till date, and I remain grateful, eternally.
Thank you, Prof. Sam Onuigbo. Thank you!