04/06/2026
In Remembrance of Dr. Simon Ezevuo Ọnwụ
Today, we honour Dr. Simon Ezevuo Ọnwụ, the first medical doctor from Igboland, who became a qualified physician in 1932 after graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
He was born on 28 December 1908 in Affa, Udi Local Government Area of present-day Enugu State, to Chief Amadi Onwubunta and Madam Nwalute Onwubunta.
After his qualification, he served as a medical officer in Nigeria for 27 years, rising through the ranks to become the first African Director of Medical Services in Eastern Nigeria and later Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health before retiring from public service in 1963.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Ọnwụ made a historic contribution to language development as a key member of the committee that established the modern Igbo orthography, including the 36-letter Igbo alphabet.
He also later served as Chairman of the Eastern Nigerian Housing Corporation and became the first African Vice-President of the International Union of Building Societies.
He passed away in London on 4 June 1969 at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
May his legacy continue to be remembered.
Amen 🙏