Okadigbo, John U. (1953-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Oct 24 p. 2

Birth date: 1953

text of obituary:

Planned Career As Doctor

Nigerian Student Killed

HARRISONBURG, VA. — An Eastern Mennonite College student from Nigeria was killed instantly in a one-car crash near Harrisonburg on Oct. 10.

John U. Okadigbo, 21, a senior pre-medical student, suffered a fractured skull when the car he was driving plunged off Interstate 81 and he was thrown against a culvert.

A passenger, EMC student Juanita L. Norris of Collegeville, Pa. was admitted to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and was listed in satisfactory condition the following day.

A senior aspiring to a career as a medical doctor, Mr. Okadigbo was returning from an interview at Johns Hopkins University medical school at the time of his death.

AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE in the EMC chapel-auditorium Monday led by President Myron S. Augsburger, pre-med advisor Dr. Daniel B. Suter said that Mr. Okadigbo "was one of those students who make teaching rewarding." He also praised the Nigerian student for taking up the challenge of seeking admission to an American medical school — "a feat which is difficult enough for an American student."

Two other EMC students from Nigeria also paid tribute to their friend and countryman.

Ejike R. Nwankwo, a Nigeria who graduated from EMC in 1973, read excerpts of a letter written by Mr. Okadigbo the day before his death in which he listed a series of goals for himself as an EMC senior, as a future medical student, and then as a doctor, husband, and father back in his native Nigeria.

THE SON of a government civil servant and a member of the Anglican Church, Mr. Okadigbo was an outstanding student during his academic career in Nigeria.

Mr. Okadigbo is survived by his mother and several brothers and sisters, including two older brothers who live in the United States. His father died last year.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the oldest brother, Dr. William Chuba Okadigbo, a professor at Federal College in Washington and the husband of 1967 EMC graduate Miriam Ikejiani. Another brother, George, will accompany the body back to Nigeria for the funeral.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Oct 24 p. 2

text of obituary:

Community Pledges Nearly $2,000 for Funeral Expenses

Harrisonburg, Va. — The family of an Eastern Mennonite College international student who was killed Oct. 10 in a car accident north of Harrisonburg has received some unexpected assistance for funeral expenses from Shenandoah Valley residents.

Some 180 persons pledged $1,936 through telephone calls to WSVA radio's "Candid Comment" program Wednesday, Oct. 16, to help send the body of EMC senior John U. Okadigo back to his home in Nigeria.

The funds were raised in an hour and 15 minutes after EMC President Myron S. Augsburger told program host Arnold Felsher that it would cost about $4,200 to return the body to Nigeria. Dr. Augsburger said a school insurance policy would cover $2,000 of this amount.

An EMC spokesman explained that Donald W. Mongold of Route 2, Dayton, called WSVA last week and asked "whether the community could do something" to assist the Okadigbo family. WSVA contacted the college, and Dr. Augsburger reviewed the situation on "Candid Comment" at the request of the station.