A young brilliant Nigerian medical doctor and Polio Technical officer working with the World Health Organization Jordan. Dr Emeka Agbo aged 45years was recently murdered in Amman, Jordan.
Emeka Agbo, 45 years old, was born in April 22, 1979, and passed away on June 9, 2024.
Dr. Chukwuemeka Sunday Agbo, a distinguished epidemiologist, educator, mentor, visionary, futurist, philanthropist, beloved husband, father, son, and brother, was taken to the bosom of the Lord on Sunday June 9th 2024.
Personal Life
Emeka loved his family dearly and was devoted to his wife, Kosiso Agbo, and their three children, Usochukwu, Nzubechukwu, and Zikorammachukwu Agbo. Family traditions and gatherings were deeply cherished moments for Emeka, where his warmth and heart shone brightly. He enjoyed learning, playing golf and cycling, finding joy and relaxation in these activities, often sharing the experience with family and friends. Emeka gave himself to seeking true purpose and living it out with his family.
Birth and Early Life
Dr. Chukwuemeka Sunday Agbo was born on April 22, 1979, alongside his twin brother Jideofor Agbo. Born to Mr. Philip Lambert Chukwuemeka Agbo and Dame (Mrs) Gloria Nnenna Agbo, Emeka grew up with a strong sense of the Christian faith and community. He was surrounded by a very loving family, including his siblings Ngozi Akwataghibe, Ukamaka Nsugbe, Kenechukwu Agbo, Ifeoma Onuigbo, Azuka Okeke, and Jideofor Agbo.
Education
Emeka’s educational journey began at Shalom Nursery School and continued through Ekulu Primary School and Federal Government College Enugu. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His quest for knowledge took him further to The University of Liverpool, where he received a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the Vrije Universiteit/Royal Tropical Institute in the Netherlands, where he earned a Master’s degree in International Health. Emeka was a lifelong learner and looking for every opportunity to improve his knowledge and skills, he was actively engaged in online courses, including Machine Learning at Stanford University.
Professional Life
Most recently, Emeka had joined the Polio Eradication team in Amman, Jordan, in March 2024, where he quickly made significant contributions as the Regional Incident Support Manager for response to polio outbreaks in Sudan and Djibouti. Before his role in Amman, Emeka served as the GPEI Coordinator for Kenya, managing responses to cholera and polio outbreaks. From February 2022 to December 2023, he was the GPEI Coordinator in Malawi, leading outbreak responses to the importation of wild poliovirus type 1, measles, and cholera. Over his 10-year career with the WHO and the Gates Foundation, Emeka successfully led large-scale responses to disease outbreaks in the Horn of Africa, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to public health.
His earlier roles included serving as an epidemiologist for the GPEI Outbreak Response in Malawi under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKing Corporation, where he coordinated polio outbreak responses and strengthened surveillance systems across multiple countries. During his tenure with the World Health Organization, Emeka’s expertise and leadership were instrumental in controlling disease outbreaks across Africa. He led responses in Ethiopia, coordinated polio eradication activities in Liberia, and supported the Horn of Africa countries. His contributions during complex emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak showcased his dedication and impact.
Hobbies and Interests
Outside of his professional life, Emeka was an avid golfer and cyclist. He found joy in these activities, often sharing the experience with friends and family. His adventurous spirit also saw him exploring various outdoor pursuits, bringing excitement and enthusiasm to everything he did. Emeka was a lifelong learner and a visionary who saw Africa as the next frontier for innovations and technology.
Legacy and Impact
Emeka was not only a brilliant epidemiologist but also a passionate educator and mentor. He dedicated much of his life to sponsoring the younger generation through various scholarships and inspiring young people to become innovators and co-creators especially in Africa. His philanthropic efforts, visionary mindset and puposeful spirit left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
Dr. Chukwuemeka Sunday Agbo is survived by his mother, Dame (Mrs) Gloria Nnenna Agbo; his wife, Kosiso Agbo; his children, Usochukwu, Nzubechukwu, and Zikorammachukwu Agbo; and his siblings, Ngozi Akwataghibe, Ukamaka Nsugbe, Kenechukwu Agbo, Ifeoma Onuigbo, Azuka Okeke, and Jideofor Agbo.
