The family and friends of the late music producer and medical doctor Marius Ashibuogwu have launched a foundation to immortalise the man who made his mark in two worlds – music and medicine, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE and IDOWU JUMOKE.
He was a medical doctor well-loved by his patients, colleagues and family, but his music fans loved him more. He was a medical and music consultant, too. The late Dr Marius Uchenna Ashibuogwu’s first love was music.
Not even the rigours of medical studies while in school, or the demands of practice after qualifying as a doctor, could prevent him from pursuing his love for music.
As a disc jockey (DJ) and music producer, Ashibuogwu was a master of the “wheels of steel” as much as he was good in his chosen profession, medicine. He could set parties alight with his skills. Having founded Centebila Records and signed two artistes, he was set to affect the society in positive ways, but death stopped him from realising his dream.
Born on January 19, 1984, the late Ashibuogwu died in October last year. His death, the family said, happened so suddenly they still could not believe it. He took ill, and died a few days later.
Nollywood actor Justus Esiri said not only his patients, but the entertainment industry would miss him. He was among numerous guests who gathered in Lagos to launch a charity organisation, the Dr Marius Uchenna Ashibuogwu Foundation, meant to immotalise the late medical doctor-DJ.
Before his death, the late Ashibuogwu was working on the production of his record label’s first album, entitled: Unleashed, which was also launched that same day. Guests were moved by thrilling musical performances from the album.
“If more people had known about this event, maybe it would have taken place at the stadium,” Esiri said.
Esiri believes entertainers must live for others. Of the impact Ashibuogwu made in his “short but fruitful life,” as he puts it, the veteran actor said: “The entertainment industry will miss him, and we shall continue to touch the world for him. I want you to go away with the memory of the event of today. All of you should think of what you can do to touch others, because it’s good to share good things with others.”
The mother, Mrs Mareena Samuel, is yet to get over the shock of her son’s death. The least she could do was to continue with the work the late Ashibuogwu started – helping the needy and making the society a better place to live in. This, she said, inspired the setting up of the foundation.
She said: “Twenty-nine years ago, Dr Marius was born. Like every other parent, his arrival brought so much joy to us. God groomed him to become what he was before his untimely demise. We are celebrating his post-humous birthday and at the same time starting a journey of immortalising his name and charting a course to actualising his dreams of giving the daunted in the society the right to good health and life.”
The foundation, Mrs Samuel said, would provide free medical services to less-privileged persons, especially mothers and children. The late doctor had a passion for education, and was fond of children. The foundation, she said, would engender good toilet advocacy in schools, especially in the rural areas. “It would also render assistance to indigent pupils through scholarship grants and sponsorship,” she said.
In addition, the foundation, Mrs Samuel added, would assist widows, the old, the weak, and the destitute in the society through philanthropic activities; support internally displaced persons and help in achieving a healthier environment for the good and wellbeing of humanity.
Group Managing Director, Daar Communications Plc, Mr Tony Akiotu, who chaired the event, called the late Ashibuogwu “a friend in deed.” He noted that the late doctor popularised GSM medicine through his ever-caring medical service.
He said: “The study of medicine is humanistic – medicine was the tonic of life for him. He was a friend indeed. He had the phone numbers of his patients and would always call them individually and collectively to know how they were doing. He popularised GSM medicine.
“He may have lived a short life, but it was inspiring, full of impact, and remarkable. I am impressed that the ideals for which he lived are being immortalised.”
Akiotu said the country is faced with the challenges of youth restiveness, but Ashibuogwu showed that through determination and hard work, success in every endeavour can be achieved by youths.
He urged them to emulate the life the late doctor-entertainer lived, saying a passion for entertainment, for instance, should not stand in the way of academic excellence. “He has shown that the best is possible irrespective of background,” he said.
The late doctor completed his secondary education in 1998 at Ajao Estate Grammar School, where he bagged distinctions in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He specialised in obstetrics and gynecology while studying medicine at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
After earning his MBBS degree from the University of Maiduguri, the late Ashibuogwu underwent his mandatory housemanship at 445 Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Hospital, Ikeja before his death.
Commander of the hospital, Air Commodore B.A. Yakassi, said he was dedicated to his duties while with them, and touched lives positively in various ways. He said: “His death is a great loss to all of us, and especially to the medical profession.”
He assured directors of the foundation of his support. “Call on me whenever you need me,” he said.
Like the Commodore, his siblings are yet to get over his death. The late Ashibuogwu’s sister, Sabreena is one. She said: “It’s still like a dream. It doesn’t seem real. Now I know that when someone passes away, there is not one word long enough or big enough to describe it. I could talk about it, and I could go on for pages, but even an entire book on you can’t replace you. I love you, and will always think of you. I will always remember all the times we spent together and all the jokes you used to tell. Life really feels so empty without you. I will forever miss you my dear brother and DJ-Doctor, swag papii.”
On the part of Udoka (brother), it was admirable that the late doctor mastered the arts of music and medicine, adding he had an infectious aura that brought smiles to people’s faces.
“He had a presence wherever he stepped into, and would instantly bring smiles to everyone’s face. He was greatly respected and admired by his peers and his humility was infectious. He struck friendships with anyone willing to be a friend, but he disliked pride in people. He could never stay angry with anyone even if he tried. He was proof that we could be masters of two arts, as he was utterly devoted to his profession as a doctor and still kept a vibrant social life as a DJ. In both, he was always so caring, and his benevolence challenges us all.”
