By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
A former Nigerian Minister of Health, Dr. Tim Menakaya, on Wednesday, marked his 92nd birthday at his home in Umunya. Dr. Menakaya, a foremost industrialist and founder of Tempo Mills, located in Umunya, Oyi local government area of Anambra State, and Menax Hospital, a leading health facility in Southeast Nigeria at that time, located in Onitsha, was the Nigerian Minister of Health between 1999 and 2001 during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era. Dr. Menakaya’s 92nd birthday organized by his wife, Barr Ogo Tim-Menakaya, commenced with a brief prayer and praise session and was graced by a few friends of the family, some family members, children from the neighbourhood, and members of Dennis Memorial Grammar School Old Boys Association, including Chief Sunny Nwachukwu, the worldwide President General of the old boys association, Prince Peter Ezenwa, among others.
Dr. Tim Menakaya received his medical training in Italy, where he later commenced his medical practice before moving to the United Kingdom, and finally returned to Nigeria to practice and build there. A man of many parts, he campaigned against oppression meted out to Southeasterners and later led a series of discussions on how to solve Nigeria’s imbalance through political means. This was his major attraction and contribution to the formation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), originally designed to carry the weight of the Southeast’s political aspirations and negotiate the zone’s place in the federation of Nigeria.
Known for his charity work, many testified that he gave them a break in life many years ago, and prayed to God to bless and keep him. Speaking on Dr. Menakaya’s life, Chief Emma Nweke, a community leader in Umunya, pointed out that Dr. Tim Menakaya’s life is of immense impact. Others testified how they and their family members were treated free of charge at Menax Hospital through Dr. Tim’s magnanimity.
While people pay an overflowing tribute to Dr. Tim Menakaya at 92 years, for him, his life found expression in purpose. “I acted my life,” he said. According to Dr. Menakaya, “I worked hard,” pointing out an important value that guided his work life. But he also acknowledged that he had grace. “Things have been easy, and God blessed me,” Dr. Tim said during our conversation.
Born into the family of Chief Ndubuisi Menakaya, a Church teacher in the Anglican Communion, the Menakayas are known for longevity. Dr. Tim’s elder sister will turn 94 years old next month. Theirs is also a family of medical doctors and professionals, with Dr. Tim’s daughter, Dr. Kaosi Menakaya, M.D, joining the league after completing her medical training in the US, just this month, while her twin sister, Chinasa Menakaya, earned her master’s degree in the arts.
The 92nd birthday of Dr. Tim Menakaya was a celebration of God’s faithfulness, a life of service to God and mankind, offering a privileged opportunity to engage with one of Nigeria’s finest minds who left nothing untouched in his quest to serve God and humankind meritoriously. Guests at the gathering were treated to a warm reception by Dr. Menakaya’s amiable wife, Barr. Ogo Tim-Menakaya. The celebrant offered a prayer for the children who joined him from his neighbourhood to commemorate his birthday, after cutting his 92nd birthday cake. Dr. Tim Menakaya was then presented with two awards of special recognition by the DMGS Old Boys Association, Abuja branch, and Umunya Development Union, Lagos branch.
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