Dr Marshall Madu still in shock over Angus Anokwute’s suicidal death.
3 min read
US based psychologist and security expert Dr Marshall Madu has disclosed to Umuaka Times that he was yet to recover from the shock the suicidal death of Engineer Angus Anokwute, author and computer scientist brought upon him. Speaking with the Umuaka Times correspondents in America last week, Dr Madu who played the role of a big uncle to the late Angus Anokwute told Umuaka Times that he was the one who financed the university education of the late author and poet.
According to the elder statesman, “Yes, I was 100 percent responsible for his university education. It started when our elder brother and Director of Education, Chief Ambrose Nwoke, in a family gathering disclosed that Angus was very brilliant and deserved to be developed fully. I have just returned from US on Christmas. I immediately accepted to take care of him.”
Dr Madu also told Umuaka Times that his late wife Ngozi Madu was very happy and supportive when she got to know about the development.
Dr Madu continued, “Then his immediate late uncle Steven Anokwute, who was “brilliant per excellence”, was not financially capable, he encouraged me to do him the favour of paying Angus’ school fees. Steven was my mentor while growing up. He loved and cared for me.”
With the involvement of such personalities, Dr Madu told Umuaka Times that it was a big joy for him training the late author throughout his university years.
Umuaka Times gathered that after his university education, Angus worked with the late Cornell Joe Achuzie, a former chairman of Ohaneze. Working with the late Achuzie in many possible ways exposed Angus to a lot of high profile Nigerians.
In order to establish some facts, Umuaka Times asked Dr Madu the first question: Were there efforts by anyone to help the late Angus secure a job during his jobless years?
Marshall Madu: Yes, several times I tried to connect him with the crude oil lifters as well as book publishers.
Umuaka Times: Was he medically ok?
Marshall Madu: As a psychologist, I cannot give him any diagnosis without prior examination. I assume he was mentally sound. But understandably his mental health may have suffered from a temporary imbalance that went undiagnosed.
Umuaka Times: Do you suspect depression or financial crisis?
Marshall Madu: Yes, all of the above.
That’s what I mean by temporary mental imbalance (depression).
Umuaka Times: Let us assume a diagnosis was done, how could he have been saved?
Marshall Madu: With medication and counseling.
Umuaka Times: There is a talk in town that he was abandoned by family and friends. Do you agree?
Marshall Madu: Complete nonsense, this is a meaningless speculation. Watch the write-up on what Klubb88 did. Is that not outstanding support by his peers? Listen to what the family members said on that write-up too.
Umuaka Times: Ok. Are you still in shock over the ugly development?
Marshall Madu: Yes.
Umuaka Times: Last year being 2024, a US based Akalite took his life and this year 2025, another Akalite did the same, will it be correct to say that Akalites are copying the suicidal lifestyle of the West?
Marshall Madu: I think the statistical sample is very small to draw any conclusion.
Umuaka Times: It may be small when compared to what is obtained in Europe and America but it is really bad here.
Marshall Madu: Of course, culturally is an abomination no matter the number, but it is not big enough to draw any general conclusion.
Umuaka Times: Is there depression in Nigeria?
Marshall Madu: Of course, most of Nigerian depression is manifested in anger.
Umuaka Times: How? Many say that living in Nigeria is the biggest depression on earth, yet Nigerians are still the happiest in the world.
Marshall Madu: Believe the saying that “East and West Home is the Best”.
Umuaka Times: Having the economic and political issues in Nigeria in mind, what is your advice to the Nigerian people in relation with suicide?
Marshall Madu: My advice is, don’t do it, seek for help, talk to friends and family members. No condition is permanent, time and tide change everything. Don’t internalize anger, learn to let go.
