How former VC Unizik, Prof Joseph Ahaneku met, married his then student Prof Gladys Ahaneku

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

Former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku has thrilled his audience at the silver jubilee anniversary of their wedding.

Narrating how he met and married his hearthrob, now Prof Gladys Ahaneku twenty- five years ago ,Professor Ahaneku recalled with deep sense of nostalgia sometime in 1992 as a senior staff in the Department of Chemical Pathology and indeed the Head of the Department at both the Teaching Hospital and the University, when he saw this well dressed student with long skirt carrying books and looking organized, walking confidently towards Human Biochemistry Department from the Anatomy block/Hostel area.

According to Prof Ahaneku who is now the Governing Council Chairman of National Youth Service Corps ,NYSC, “I stopped and watched where her destination was and behold few minutes later, she settled down with two other students at the rear door pavement of the Human Biochemistry Department and they were studying seriously. I immediately took note of her and kept eye tracer on her. As a Teaching Hospital based lecturer, I only visited Okofia occasionally for meetings and to see colleagues of the pre-clinical departments. During such visits, I would mount my radar on this student of interest even when other students from same class and classes above were trying their best to give green light to this eminently young bachelor, HOD/Lecturer 1 staff.

“Unfortunately, I refused to see the green light as my mind and heart were stuck to this confident looking student by name, Gladys. It was obvious that I was in love and I concluded within me that God had shown me my wife. I was yet to talk to her then, but I did not have any doubt in my mind that she was my wife.
“Then in December 1992, I received a package from my Department in University College Hospital, Ibadan. That was in respect of an application for the Research Development Corporation of Japan Grant and Fellowship Scheme, under the Science and Technology Agency of Japan (STA) which I made to Japan way back in 1989 and was rolled over to 1990/1991 circle.

Following the receipt of the package from Japan, it became clear that I was to travel to Tokyo, Japan in March 1993. In early 1993, I had to invite the confident student to my office through the then class rep. when she came, I asked her whether she was married and she said no and I told her straight away that I would want to marry her. She quietly said she was not thinking of such issue at that time, that her studies were her priority and would want to finish her studies before considering any marriage issue. I asked her whether she thought she was a small girl and in any case, I was ready to wait as I was not intending to marry that year or immediately. From that moment, she started avoiding me and the attempt to avoid me heightened my interest the more.

“I had to do a background check to inquire where she hailed from. My monitoring and frequency of invitation increased and about a month or so to my trip to Japan, I invited her and informed her that I was going to travel to Tokyo for 18 months for post-doctoral research and needed one or two of her pictures in order to keep memories of her person, which she obliged. Before leaving Nigeria, I confided in my sister and brother that she was the person I was going to marry and that they should follow up things for me as I would be communicating subsequently.”
According to Professor Ahaneku, the communication blossomed and later led to their joining in holy matrimony on November 23rd 1996 at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri. The union is blessed with 5 children’.

According to Franklin Onwubiko who reported what happened to www.odogwublog.com all roads led to Ahiara Ahiazu-Mbaise, Imo state on Wednesday as friends and family joined the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, FAS and wife, Professor Gladys Ahaneku, mni on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary.
The memorable event which took place at the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Parish, Ahiara Ahiazu-Mbaise attracted lots of dignitaries include the incumbent Deputy Vice-Chancellors of UNIZIK, Professor Frederick Odibo (Academic) and Professor Joseph Ikechebelu (Administration), among numerous others.
In what looked like a grand entrance in the church premises, Professor Ahaneku drove himself and the wife in his classic, flat-boot Mercedes Benz 200 – the very car he used for his wedding on the 23rd of November, 1996, while also adorning the long tie he used for the same occasion 25 years ago.
The mass presided by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara diocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji was a tripartite celebration which include the wedding silver jubilee, the birthday of Professor Gladys Ahaneku and thanksgiving for the induction of their son, Dr. Chibueze Ahaneku into the medical profession.

In his homily, Rev Fr Chika Okpalike showered encomiums on the celebrants while expressing thanks to God for their lives. He noted that a lot of families have in one way or the other benefitted immensely from the deep love and sense of humanity by the power couple. He prayed that God continues to lift the family to enviable heights.
Speaking on behalf of the wife and family, Professor Joseph Ahaneku gave thanks to God for his uncommon blessings and sustenance these 25 years, while commending those whom God had used to guide and assist them these years.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, described the union as made by God and wished them long life and good health to reap the fruits of their sojourn in life.