By Dan Ikpechukwu

Ikechukwu Ofoje had his unique style of clinching his fist and jumping high in celebration of a goal or victory in his hay days as Enugu Rangers captain. 

He was a full back whose offensive plays while overlapping caused problems for opponents. And  he scored a few goals as a defender. Many years down the line Ofoje had cause to celebrate again, this time in far away United States where he lives. But the celebration was different this time. If there was clinching of the fist there was no jumping into the air. That would surely break his waist now. The glitz was different. He was calm, full of joy and a proud father of the star of the day who many came to celebrate.

The atmosphere was exciting. The banters were warm, very African. Venue was in Aiken, South Carolina where Ofoje has lived for decades. He was head coach of university of South Carolina, Aiken where he nurtured many soccer players. On this day last weekend, many football stars including some of Ofoje’s teammates were there to celebrate with him.  But he was not the star of the day. His daughter, Dr. Avery, was. Avery had just become a young Nigerian American Doctor who graduated in flying colours. Ofoje and his darling American wife hosted friends in a party that really celebrated the young graduate. And sports stars were there to honour them.

They drank, ate, danced, made merry. And what touched many was the passion Dr Avery Ofoje was already developing for humanity. She spoke of her plans to realize her dream of ensuring that children of the world receive the appropriate medical care and attention they deserve. She said that right from her childhood years in elementary school, caring for children’s health and development were all she wanted to accomplish as a medical doctor. 

Born in South Carolina,  Avery graduated from Boston University with Bachelor’s Degree in Cell, Molecular and Genetic Biology and a minor in African Studies before completing medical school education at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Avery Ofoje said that her choice of combining African Studies with her degree was fueled by the burning desire to understand the dynamics of the African landscape so as to be equipped with the appropriate knowledge required to help children all over the world especially in Nigeria and the African continent. “My father is a Nigerian and as a proud and resilient Igbo woman, my thoughts have always been on how best to offer great health care to children and people back home in Nigeria and here in the United States,” the young Avery said. 

She is currently in her Doctoral Residency training to fully become board certified Pediatrician at the University of Maryland Medical Center for Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 

An elated Ike Ofoje, enthused: “My daughter loves to care for children and even adults and so I don’t have doubts as to her ability to deliver in any setting she finds herself and you can be sure that my wife and I are truly blessed to be parents to her and her sister Uchenna.”

Dr. Avery Ofoje graduation party witnessed the gathering of many for Nigerian players/athletes, like former Flying Eagles midfielder Chief Paul Okoku, Former Rangers player Geofrey Madueke, former athlete Chief Benson Ejindu amongst others.