Father & Mentor
Dr. Ifeanyi Charles Anthony Okpalobi Sr, affectionately known as "DOC," departed this life on November 15, 2018. Dr. I. C. A. Okpalobi Sr. was born in Achalla-Ibusa, Nigeria. The last child of a well-renowned trader and an accomplished farmer, his parents, were well-respected members of the Achalla-Ibusa Community.
A man of high intellectual ability an unquenchable appetite for learning, he obtained a scholarship to study Industrial Chemistry in Cairo Egypt in the late 1950s. While in Egypt, he developed a love for the art of medicine and changed his major - Doc earned his medical degree from Cairo Medical School.
He proceeded to Copenhagen, Denmark, to further advance his medical training. He progressed along beautifully and left Denmark for New York City. Arriving in New York, he began his Surgical Residency at New York City Health and Hospital Corporation, a reputable medical and teaching hospital affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Harlem Hospital Center. He completed his Surgical Residency in June 1973. Upon completing his Residency, Doc obtained his Medical License in November 1974 issued by the State of Tennessee.
Uninterrupted, from July 1974 to June 1977, he matriculated through Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. After that, Doc practiced medicine at many reputable Hospitals in Tennessee and Ohio until moving in 1978 to start his private medical practice in New Orleans. In November 1982, Dr. I. C. A. Okpalobi Sr. became a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist.
An entrepreneur at heart with a passion for creating opportunities for others, he established many businesses in New Orleans. A few companies as follows:
• Anioma Home Health Care Inc, a home healthcare agency that cared for the sick and homebound clients
• Anioma Living Inc, an independent living facility that provided a safe home for cognitively impaired - the most vulnerable citizens in the community
• African Chambers of Commerce Inc, a gateway between business groups, institutions, governments, organizations, companies and communities in the United States, Africa, Asia and other countries of the world with an active interest in commerce in emerging African markets
• Crescent City International Inc. and Rivers Trading Company; international trade organizations conducting import and export trade between the United States and other parts of the world.
Throughout his business career, Dr. I. C. A. Okpalobi Sr. directly and indirectly created thousands of jobs throughout the New Orleans Community and Nigeria.
Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New Orleans World Trade Center and New Orleans Global Tour to Hong Kong. Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. was an active facilitator for New Orleans and U.S. Cities seeking to refine Bonny Light Crude Oil. Doc convinced U.S. companies engaging in energy exploration to become a provider of equipment and personnel for oil production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
Furthermore, Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. assisted in trade and investment activities between the Southern University of Baton Rouge and Louisiana State University concerning the Agricultural Farm Project for the late Chief Moshood Abiola's, proprietor of Abiola Farms.
He aided in organizing interactive meetings between a multitude of African ambassadors, diplomats, political leaders, and fiduciary agents while residing in New Orleans, Louisiana. President Clinton inducted Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. into The Presidential Leadership Circle 1999 FDR Council in recognition of commitment to his presidency and the Democratic Party.
Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. was the former Chairmen of the United States Chapter of People's Democratic Party. People's Democratic Party (PDP) USA chapter is a vocal advocate for the improvement of Nigeria. While Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi Sr. was Chairmen, he provided support to the Nigerian President. His Excellency President Chief Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, a former Nigerian Army general who was President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He served as a military ruler from February 13, 1976, to October 1, 1979, and as a democratically elected president from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007. In the 1999 presidential elections, Obasanjo ran on PDP's platform and defeated Chief Olu Falae, the joint candidate of the All Peoples Party, APP, and the Alliance for Democracy, AD. In 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo ran for a second term under the People's Democratic Party and won by a margin of more than 11 million votes. President Obasanjo's primary opponent was fellow former military ruler General Muhammadu Buhari. Capturing 61.8% of the vote, Obasanjo defeated Buhari by more than 11 million votes.
Doc, a man who possessed a wealth of knowledge and accomplishments throughout his career; he is remembered and missed for his generosity, his love for family, his outreach, and philanthropy. Philanthropy in his new country - the United States of America; his new hometown - New Orleans, Louisiana; his Country of Origin - Nigeria; his birth hometown - Achalla-Ibusa, Delta State Nigeria.