Some are busy making money, others are busy making history

In every society, people are remembered for different things. Some are remembered for their wealth, the fortunes they amassed, the empires they built, and the industries they dominated. Others, however, are remembered not because of what they acquired but because of the footprints they left on the sands of time. History has always had a way of differentiating between the two. While money is important for sustenance, influence, and survival, history is what immortalizes people and their names, ensuring that long after material wealth has faded away, their legacies continue to inspire generations.

In the US, the politics of its two dominant parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, often throws light on this distinction. The Republicans, for the right or wrong reasons, are often associated with financial conservatism, capitalism, and wealth creation. The Democrats, on the other hand, have been lauded for opening historical chapters that mark turning points in America’s socio-political evolution. For example, it was under the Democrats that America made history by producing its first Black President, Barrack Obama, whose Kenyan roots made him a symbol of hope, not only for African Americans but also for Black people around the world.

It was also under the Democrats that the United States gave the world its first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is both Black and Asian American, breaking centuries-old barriers to gender and race. Long before that, it was the administration of the Democrats that saw the rise of Madeleine Albright as the first female Secretary of State, and subsequently those of Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton who occupied that prestigious office also. These were milestones that redefined America’s identity and offered proof that history is often written not by the wealthy but by those who dare to achieve the unprecedented.

Nigeria, in her own peculiar way, has also produced such milestones, particularly within the academic community where feats of intellectual leadership often make more lasting impressions than the pursuit of riches. In recent years, an unusual trend has emerged, within the university communities in the country that has seen married couples both rise to the exalted position of Vice Chancellor, the highest academic leadership role in any university. This rare feat is one that represents not just individual brilliance but also the shared commitment of two intellectual partners who complement each other in pursuit of academic excellence. Among such history-making couples are Joseph Adeola Fuwape and his wife, Professor Ibiyinka Agboola Fuwape. Joseph Adeola Fuwape, born on 11 November 1957, is a renowned scholar in forestry and wood products engineering. His career took him to the pinnacle of university leadership when he served as Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja, and later the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), between May 2017 and May 2022. His academic journey, enriched with international exposure in the United Kingdom, mirrored the resilience of a man determined to leave a legacy.

Professors Fuwape
His wife, Professor Ibiyinka Fuwape, born on 18 December 1962, distinguished herself in the field of physics. A scholar of nonlinear dynamics, atmospheric physics, biophysics, and climate studies, she rose through the ranks at FUTA to become a professor in 2003, holding various leadership positions before ascending to the role of Vice Chancellor at Michael and Cecilia Ibru University. Her recognition with the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Regional Award for Scientific Excellence in 2021 underscored the depth of her contributions to knowledge. Together, they are a shining testimony of what academic synergy within marriage can achieve.

Another striking example is the Etebu couple. Professor Nicholas Ebitimitula Etebu, a pathologist, was appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University. His wife, Professor Maureen Ongoebi Orubide Etebu, is no less remarkable. Armed with multiple PhDs in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Energy & Power, alongside numerous master’s degrees, she carved her own unique path in academia. She was appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and served from 2015 to 2020. Their partnership illustrates how two different academic disciplines, medicine and engineering, could produce leaders of distinct but equally impactful institutions.

And now, history has been written again with the appointments of Professors Austin Nosike and his wife, Professor Jacinta Opara, both hailing from Imo State, to the exalted positions of Vice Chancellors of two distinguished Nigerian universities. James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos, recently announced Professor Nosike as its new Vice Chancellor after a rigorous selection process by its Senate, Governing Council, and Search Committee. At the same time, his wife, Professor Jacinta Opara, has been steering the affairs of Dominican University, Ibadan, as its Vice Chancellor. Together, they have become the first Igbo couple to achieve such a feat, placing themselves in a distinguished league of Nigerian intellectual powerhouses.

Professors Etebu
For the Igbo people, and indeed for Nigeria at large, this achievement carries immense symbolism. The Igbo are often described as one of the most resilient and intellectually gifted ethnic groups in Africa. With a historical penchant for enterprise, innovation, and education, they have excelled globally in almost every field of human endeavour. Yet, to have a husband and wife simultaneously occupying Vice Chancellor positions marks a different level of accomplishment. It speaks to the value the Igbo place on education not just as a means of personal advancement but also as a tool for collective pride and historical relevance.

Imo State, in particular, has every reason to celebrate. The state has long been acknowledged as the educational hub of Nigeria. With a dense network of secondary schools and tertiary institutions, coupled with an unrelenting cultural emphasis on academic achievement, Imo has produced countless professionals, scholars, and leaders who continue to shape Nigeria’s development. To now have two of its own – Professor Nosike and Professor Opara – writing their names into history as the first Igbo couple to serve as Vice Chancellors simultaneously, reaffirms the state’s reputation as the cradle of intellectual excellence.

What does this achievement mean for Imo people and for the larger Igbo nation? Firstly, it is a message of possibility. In a time when many are preoccupied with survival, economic hardship, and political uncertainties, the story of Professors Nosike and Opara offers proof that dedication to scholarship can still lead to history-making milestones. Their achievement is a call to young people across Igbo land not to abandon the pursuit of education and knowledge. It reminds them that while money may guarantee immediate comfort, history guarantees eternal relevance.

Secondly, their rise is a source of collective pride. The Igbo have always valued recognition and excellence, and this achievement amplifies their narrative of brilliance on a national stage. When the story of Nigerian academia is told in years to come, the names of Austin Nosike and Jacinta Opara will feature prominently, not just as individuals but as a couple whose joint success elevated the prestige of their people.

Thirdly, it creates role models of a unique kind. In a society where marriages are often strained by competition or individual ambitions, Professors Nosike and Opara represent what is possible when partners support each other in their professional pursuits. They are not just Vice Chancellors; they are also parents of five children, proving that family life and career excellence can thrive side by side. Their journey is a model for younger couples, particularly within the Igbo community, where educational advancement and family stability are both highly prized.

Even children in Imo State are happy

Needless to say, their feat is a historical marker for Ndigbo. For a people who have often felt politically marginalized within Nigeria, achievements in academia, business, and other spheres are avenues for asserting identity and demonstrating relevance. With this milestone, the Igbo have added yet another chapter to their impressive record of firsts and triumphs. The symbolism is not just about academia; it is about history, pride, and legacy.

Indeed, some are busy making money, but others are busy making history. The story of Professors Austin Nosike and Jacinta Opara is one of history-making. It situates them alongside other distinguished Nigerian couples like the Fuwapes and the Etebus who have equally made indelible marks in academia. Yet, as the first Igbo couple to reach such heights, theirs is uniquely symbolic. It tells the world that Imo State – Nigeria’s most educated state – continues to produce sons and daughters who set the pace, break barriers, and create narratives that inspire generations.

Theirs is not just a personal success, it is a collective triumph for their family, their community, Imo State, and the Igbo nation. And long after material wealth may fade from memory, their names will remain etched in the annals of history as proof that intellectual achievement, when pursued with passion and integrity, is a heritage more enduring than gold.