In Memoriam: Vincent Iyawe (1953 – 2024)

Early life

Professor Vincent Imagbovomwan Iyawe was born on 14 April 1953, into the family of late Mr. William Igbinomwanhia Iyawe, of Iyawe-Isokpunwu-Iduhon-Ohemwen family tree of Oloke dynasty from Benin City (Nigeria), and late Mrs. Victoria Evbayowieru Iyawe of the Ezomo family from Uzebu Quarters, Benin City. His father, a Survey Assistant and a committed Catholic, was well known in the community as a man of truth and a strict disciplinarian whose words must be obeyed. As the eldest child, the young Vincent bore the brunt of the harsh discipline at home, which kept him on his toes. He assisted his mother in her trading in support of the family upkeep.

Education

Professor Iyawe started his academic pursuit early in life. He was a good student, he attended Ekhaguere Primary School from 1959 to 1964 and completed his secondary education at Garrick Memorial Grammar School, finishing with flying colours in 1969. He proceeded to Hussey College in Warri, where he obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC) as well as the GCE (Advanced Level) in 1971. After a stint of teaching at Igbanke Grammar School, he read pharmacology at the University of Ibadan in 1972 where he only spent one academic session. Not satisfied with the course, the following year he re-applied to other universities to study medicine and surgery. He was in the top set of 18 medical students accepted into the University of Benin.

As an undergraduate he was conscientious with his studies, balancing it well with playing football and his religious activities, which eventually culminated in his ordination as a bishop once he completed his medical degree. He was a brilliant scholar, winning the University award for the best student in anatomy and physiology in 1975, as well as the National Award of academic scholarship for best pre-clinical student between 1975 and 1978.

Following his graduation from the University of Benin, Professor Iyawe completed an internship at Central Hospital in Benin City from 1978 to 1979, then subsequently left for the old Imo State where he did his National Youth Service at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, covering the clinics at both Owerri and Umuahia campuses. In 1982, he proceeded with his post-graduate training with a Commonwealth Scholarship at the prestigious University of London, Department of Medicine, St. George’s Hospital Medical School. Here, he obtained his PhD in exercise physiology in 1985. While in the United Kingdom, he also obtained a Certificate in Computing and Statistics.

Career

In the early 80s, Professor Iyawe worked as a Lecturer at University of Benin, where he rose to the rank of Professor of Physiology (Cardio-Pulmonology) in 1998. He then gained the position of Senior Commonwealth Medical Fellow at United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals (UMDS) from 1994 to 1995. He was a visiting professor to several universities, including University of London, UMDS (1995-1996); Al-Quds University, Israel (1996-1998); Dubai Medical College, Dubai, UAE (1998) and the Igbinedion University from 2009 to 2020. He was also an external examiner to several universities and institutions. During his career, he held the following administrative positions, Head of the Department of Physiology on two different occasions, a two-term Dean and two-term Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin.

Professor Iyawe was the first alumnus of University of Benin to become Dean in the College and Provost in the University. He was a member of the Governing Councils of the University of Benin and Ambrose Alli University; a member of the Board of Management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. At the University of Benin, he was a member of Senate for many years and member of several Boards and Committees. In particular, he chaired the Students’ Disciplinary Committee. Later he was Chairman of Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee. Also, he was Chairman of the Board of the Centre for Part-Time Programmes. For several years, he served as Hall Master of the Clinical Students Hostel.

He was a man highly sought after to provide leadership. He was part of the Pioneering Committee that set up Benson Idahosa University, where he acted as Chairman of the Visitation Panel and later served as a member of the team that established the university’s medical school. In the early 90s, he served as a member of the Edo State Post-primary Education Board and in the late 90s to early 2000s, he was Chairman and sat on the Board of Management at Faith Mediplex in Benin City.

Among his many awards, distinctions and commendations, he was also an educator, who trained hundreds of undergraduates in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and medical related fields. At the postgraduate level, he supervised over 30 MS and 15 PhD graduates in physiology, and has examined several MSc, MD, PhD graduates. Many of his students are now Vice-Chancellors, Chief Medical Directors, Provosts, Deans, or excelling in other professions globally.

Through his research, he made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in his area of specialisation, cardiology and respiratory physiology. He published over 120 articles in reputable national and international peer reviewed journals, pioneering ‘the positive feed-back mechanism’ in the cardio-respiratory interactions at the onset of exercise and the ‘twinness of the heart and lungs’. His inaugural lecture was titled ‘Twin for Good, Twin for Bad, the Heart and Lungs work together.’ Since then, he has delivered many guest lectures and keynote addresses. He is the author of a few books, including the popular compendium on marriage ‘One Plus One’ and a classic ‘Financial Issue’. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and a reviewer for several journals.

Community service

Aside from his successful academic career in scientific research, Professor Iyawe was a multifaceted self-devoted man with landmark accomplishments in his various diversified fields of endeavour. He was a Pastor, and a Bishop of Church of God Mission International (CGM); having been ordained in the 1980s by the charismatic, ideological and pragmatic Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

Professor Iyawe’s first encounter with the Archbishop Benson Idahosa was in 1970 during the Scripture Union Easter Conference in Benin, which he attended as a college student. Thereafter, he worked very closely with the archbishop, who mentored him and handed him pastoral assignments, which Professor Iyawe excelled in. Following the Archbishop’s call to glory, Professor Iyawe served in several capacities under the leadership of the present Archbishop, the Reverend Dr. Margaret E. Benson-Idahosa.

Among other responsibilities, he served as the Resident Pastor of CGM headquarters, Faith Arena for many years and Head Pastor of CGM branches in Uromi, Iyaro and Iguodeyala, where he later retired as bishop. Beyond these positions, he was deeply involved in the church administration, evangelism, missions, counselling and other areas. Beyond CGM, Bishop Iyawe was a Christian leader who took advantage of several interdenominational fellowships to render service to God and humanity. He was part of the Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES); the Scripture Union (SU); The Think Tank for the Body of Christ, Nigeria, Edo Easter Prayer Breakfast Fellowship, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF). At NCGF, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Family Life  

He showed great love and care for his family. Together with his dear wife, Reverend Helen Okhuosuri Iyawe (nee Bazuaye), whom he married on 10 March 1979, they raised five children and many grandchildren in the way of the Lord.

His residence was home to all. He was deeply humble, accommodating, kind, loving and generous. As a marriage counsellor and author of books on marriage, Professor Iyawe restored several families whose fragile relationships would have led to total collapse. He was highly sought after for numerous programmes for couples and families. 

He left behind his beloved wife of 45 years, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and his mass of spiritual children and mentees. He died on Saturday 8 June 2024.

Acknowledgements 

I would like to thank Victor Owoyele (FTPS) for inviting me to write this tribute to my mentor, Professor Bishop Vincent Iyawe.

References 

Christian life https://www.forevermissed.com/vincent-iyawe/lifestory?short_code=EMGYbbg4. Accessed on 12/01/2025

https://www.forevermissed.com/vincent-iyawe/about. Accessed on 18/01/2025

Iyawe VI, 2023. The grace, mercy and favour of God: the memoirs of Bishop. Mindex Publishing Co. Ltd; Benin City, Nigeria