Remembering the late Dr. Rex Otuka, (Chairman, Caretaker Committee of PDP, Abia State): Known for selfless Service, integrity, hard work and loyalty, the legacy of astute Politician, Dr. Rex Otuka, many will agree remains alive and well through his only son, Rex Otuka, Jr. Until his sudden passing in 2007 on active duty, Dr. Otuka was the Abia State PDP Chairman; and a man recognized for his avid promotion of credibility, unity, peace and harmony in the Party.
Recently, his son, Rex Otuka Jr. pledged to complete the work his Father started. “My Father is the greatest man I know and it will be an injustice to my community, to Abia, and even to the entire Nation, if I do not walk in his footsteps and continue his legacy of leadership, truth, loyalty and service”. A holder of BBA in Supply Chain Management from the University of Houston, Texas, I dare say; Rex Otuka Jr. takes after his late Father, not only in loyalty and integrity, but also in appearance, dedication and drive. Already paving a way to make an impact in his constituency, Rex Otuka Jr. has participated in party functions on the State and Federal levels; he served as a member of PDP aspirants screening panel/committee in Enugu State, 2010 during the party’s screening exercise and was also Senior Special Assistant liaison between Abia State Government and the National headquarters of the PDP in F.C.T Abuja during the tenure of His Excellency, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo (Former PDP National Chairman). Backed by a strong relationship with his People and the youth, Rex Otuka Jr. is well on his way to being a positive change-agent in Abia State and the Nation of Nigeria. As one of those who knew the Late Dr. Otuka, I urge, like many have done, that Rex Otuka Jr. keeps to his vow to invest in the next generation and keep the flag flying, even as we remember the great works of his Father, Chief, Dr. Rex Nnochiri Otuka, THE-GREAT.
BIOGRAPHY OF Chief, Dr. Rex Nnochiri Otuka, THE-GREAT.
He hailed from Umuoshi, Umuekwule, Afugiri, Umuahia-North L.G.A, Ohuhu, Abia State. Dr. Rex Otuka was born at Opobo in Rivers State on October 15th 1948 into the Family of Late Chief Daniel Ahabuike Otuka and Madam Grace Etowe Otuka. He undertook his primary education at Methodist Central School, Afugiri, Umuahia and Banham Methodist School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, prior to being admitted to the famous Government College, Umuahia in 1962 were he later became School Captain (Senior Prefect). Upon leaving Secondary School, Dr. Rex Otuka obtained a Bsc degree in Human Biology and a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Zambia.
In addition to being the personal physician of the Family (in Abia State) of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the late Dr. Otuka touched many lives in his years of medical practice. However, while many remember Dr. Otuka for his political repertoire, many more remember him for his kind heart, generosity and philanthropy.
Understandably, his passion for development and the greatness of his people earned him the titles Obimba (Heart of the People) and Ikemba (Strength of the People), respectively. By paying the school fees of many youths in Ohuhu, Dr. Rex Otuka only expressed his belief that the older generation is bestowed with the responsibility of investing in the next generation (human capital), in order to ensure the future success of his beloved Country, Nigeria.
Politically, Dr. Rex Otuka was appointed Chairman, caretaker committee of PDP, Abia State in October 2005 and was briefly appointed Deputy Chairman in 2006. In his capacity as Chairman of the Abia State PDP, he spent quality time uniting different factions and steered the ship of the PDP in Abia State earnestly and honestly.
As the then Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Moses Ogbe, once stated, Dr. Rex Otuka “lived a fruitful and useful life as he served humanity in various capacities”. Similarly, His Royal Highness, Eze Henry Ndubuisi Ibegbu (Uga II of Nkwoegwu Autonomous Community) described Dr. Rex Otuka as “a leader who served others and inspired the community with his tacit determination for success”.
Remembering the late Dr. Rex Otuka: Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, described him as a respected member of the PDP, stating that “his immense contribution during the elections in the State cannot be over-emphasized, no doubt, his death has created a large vacuum in the management of our great party in the State. He will be greatly missed by his friends, especially the Abia State Chapter of PDP”.
Source: Suns Newspaper
