Remembering Dr. Emmanuel Umoh

Dr. Emmanuel Ibanga Umoh was born on May 16, 1955, in Nsasak, Afaha, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria as the second child and first son of the late Chief Henry Ibanga Umoh and Mrs. Helena Ibanga Umoh. He was born into a family of eleven children. As the firstborn son, Dr. Umoh was culturally expected to be the leader of the family. He assumed that role fully following the death of his father, the late Chief Henry Ibanga Umoh, in 2010. He started primary school in his village, Nsasak, and completed it at Ediene Abak where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. For his secondary school education, he attended Holy Family College, Oku Abak (HOFACO), Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. At HOFACO, he obtained his West African Examination Certificate (WAEC).  Dr. Umoh always showed an unwavering commitment to education and excellence. Even as a child, he was drawn to creative and technical activities. After a physics lesson in high school, for example, he bought wires and  6C batteries and stored them in bamboo to create an electric light fixture in his room. Later, he found himself fixing radios, stereos, and other appliances. 

​​

His thirst for knowledge continued well into adulthood. Dr. Umoh was practically a self-made man because he grew up in a very poor family. He was fortunate to earn a scholarship from the Nigerian government to attend the College of Technology in Calabar, in what was then Cross River State, Nigeria. He taught briefly at a secondary school after his graduation. He then followed the lead of friends and successfully applied for and obtained a scholarship to attend school overseas. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the District of Columbia in Washington D.C, USA within 2 years. Later in life, Dr. Umoh was awarded a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Southern California and was a leading ambassador for that program, mentoring new and upcoming project management students. He then obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. His pursuit of knowledge was further evidenced by his certifications as a Project Management Professional and Scrum Fundamentals.

​

Accomplishments and Contributions:

Dr. Umoh was a trailblazer in systems implementation, technology, and project management,  achieving remarkable success throughout his career. He worked as a systems engineer for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) for several years under the mentorship of the famous Ross Perot. During this time, he honed his skills in the development and analysis of computing systems and gained an interest in project management as he observed the benefits of effective teamwork in project implementation. He excelled in his work and advocated for the employment of several Akwa Ibomites in EDS during his tenure. He later used his skills to modernize the efficient transport of aircraft cargo across 13 airports in the USA for a major airline, saving that airline millions of dollars. He transferred these skills to entrepreneurial and community-oriented pursuits.

 

 He oversaw the design and planned construction of a large multispecialty hospital and university, Thompson and Grace Medical University, in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria with his friend, the late Dr. Isaac Amos. As CEO of XEQ Consulting Solutions, LLC, he advised other entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom and the diaspora on the latest technology to foster the success of their businesses and pursuits.  Additionally, he successfully ran a printing business with his wife, Dr. Dorothy Umoh using shrewdness, wit, and charm. He was elected to be the CEO of Akwa Global Investment(AGI) due to his renowned leadership skills and work ethic. Although he was quite ill at the time, he successfully oversaw the development and construction of a pig farming business, the sole project of AGI, at the time. His successes reflect his tenacity, his perseverance, and his creativity. 

​

Dr. Umoh tirelessly advocated for sustainable ways to uplift village communities in rural Nigeria through both his leadership of community organizations and personal charitable pursuits. As the 13th president of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, Inc (AKISAN) he advocated for the empowerment and advancement of villagers in Akwa Ibom state and held co-leaders and members accountable for the ways they contributed to this vision. He and his in-laws sponsored a skills training program for village women to foster independent sources of income. He donated educational scholarships to Akwa Ibom youth.  In 2018, he garnered financial and on-the-ground support for the Ubium Development Association in USA’s (UDA) Medical and Surgical Mission to Nigeria by getting that association to work with Thompson and Grace to achieve a mutually beneficial goal. He created a GoFundMe to raise money to provide food and supplies for displaced refugees due to political unrest in certain areas of Afaha Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in April 2021, that most in the country overlooked. Even in personal celebrations, Dr. Umoh always thought of ways to provide sustenance and training to those living in poverty in Akwa Ibom state. He would habitually donate money or buy food for the poor and disadvantaged in his village, Nsasak, on his birthdays.  He pursued the betterment of poor Akwa Ibomites throughout his life in more ways than can be stated here. 

 

Dr. Umoh co-founded the USA Chapter of Ati Annang Foundation, the foremost socio-cultural organization in Annangland of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, and was active in evolving the strategy of the organization till his passing. Dr. Umoh also played a critical role in founding and sustaining the Afaha Development Congress (ADC), a socio-cultural organization focused on strategizing for and carrying out programs and projects that speak to the development of Afaha Clan. He led the organization as President at the time of his passing.

 

Dr. Umoh was a valued member of the International Management Consultants (IMC), Dallas chapter until his illness, a contributor to the FullCircle Team, and served as one of the Commissioners of Housing for the City of Plano. He received numerous accolades which recognized his exceptional contributions to society, his entrepreneurship, and his leadership prowess. His achievements highlight his hard work and dedication to his life passions. 

 

Family Life: 

Dr. Emmanuel Umoh cherished his family above all else. He was a devoted spouse, loving parent, loyal son, and doting grandparent. Family gatherings were filled with laughter, delicious food, and rousing conversations. He threw celebrations when visiting his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews abroad and blessed poor widows and orphans with monetary gifts instead of receiving gifts on his birthdays. He continued to care for and highly regarded his mother, Madam Helena Ibanga Umoh, and his late father, Chief Henry Ibanga Umoh. 

​

While it is common to have conflicts with in-laws, Dr. Umoh enjoyed good friendship with his in-laws. He spent countless hours debating the politics of the day with his in-laws and friends, Ekerete Umoren and Aniefiok Umoren, whenever they were together. He enjoyed his father-in-law, late Rev. Edet Akpan Umoren and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Nse-fi Edet Umoren, who dubbed him, “the one and only, son-in-law”. And then there were two…true friends who stood by him through thick and thin; who brought light to his darkness during his days of illness- Dr. Effiong Akwaowo and Joshua Olorunnisomo. Dr. Umoh particularly enjoyed the company of his dear friends, Effiong and Joshua, they would spend hours, talking, reminiscing, and enjoying Christian music and preaching. These were among his most cherished moments. Dr. Umoh believed that family bonds and friendship were the true wealth of life.

 

Behind Dr. Umoh's serious façade lay a mischievous sense of humor. His infectious laughter could brighten even the gloomiest of days. He enjoyed music, particularly that of his home country, and was always the life of any party or social gathering. He even worked as a DJ during his youth. Dr. Umoh in his almost two years of illness resorted to serenading himself with African religious music. His wish was that on his death, family and friends would gather to play various mixes of African high-life religious music and dance to celebrate his death, because dancing was his other passion. Dr. Umoh used jokes, pranks, and witty anecdotes to connect with all those around him. By doing so, he brought an undeniable joy that stayed with anyone who was blessed by his presence; his dance steps remain unbeatable in the Akwa Ibom community.

​

Faith: 

Dr. Umoh capitalized on his religious upbringing and developed a deep and abiding relationship with the Lord. He was born Catholic but became a Pentecostal later in life. He regularly attended Sunday service and spent personal time in prayer and in service to whatever church body he was a part of. He helped plant churches here in Dallas, Texas, and in Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria. His faith only deepened in his latter years and fostered a greater commitment to service and building relationships with others and family. His trust in the Lord carried him through his darkest days and allowed him to be a light to others. 

​

Final Farewell: 

We bid farewell to a multifaceted soul—a brilliant mind, a compassionate heart, a tenacious and strong-willed leader,  and a source of endless laughter. As we mourn his loss, let us also celebrate the legacy of Dr. Umoh, a man who lived life fully, loved deeply, and left an indelible imprint on our world.

​​

May Dr. Umoh's commitment to family and community, his faith, his tenacity, his compassion, and his unwavering nature inspire us to hold tight to our principles, love each other fully, and to seek opportunities to serve those in need. Rest in peace to our deeply loved husband, father, brother, son, and friend.

 

Dr. Emmanuel Ibanga Umoh is survived by his wife, Dr. Dorothy Umoh; his children, Millen Umoh, Spencer Umoh, Stanley Umoh, and Samuel Umoh; his stepchildren Dr. Chika Egbe, Kelechi Egbe, and Amaka Egbe; his grandchild, Gideon Umoh, his mother, Mrs. Helena Ibanga Umoh; his brothers: Chief Patrick Ene Umoh, Polycarp Itoro Umoh, and Etiowo Umoh, and his sisters: Mrs. Grace Udo, Mrs. Elizabeth Ikono, Rita Umoh, and Imaobong Umoh; and  numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his father, late Chief Henry Ibanga Umoh and his brothers: Francis Ibanga Umoh and  Michael Ibanga Umoh. 

 

A memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10:00 am at Allen Family Funeral Options, 2112 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75023. Viewing will be at 9:00 am - 9:45 am at the same venue. Interment will be at the Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen TX 75013 (AKA, Turrenentine Jackson Morrow). A celebration of life will follow the same day, 7:00 pm at Minerva Banquet Hall, 3825 West Spring Creek Pkwy Suite # 206, Plano TX 75023.

​

The contribution of flowers can be sent directly to the funeral home - Allen Family Funeral Options.