Enugu Mourns Death of Prof. Neri Picardo of Niger Foundation Hospital

Professor Neri Picardo, a revered medical professional at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu, has passed away after collapsing while attending to a patient. Despite immediate efforts by medical personnel to resuscitate him, Prof. Picardo could not be revived, leaving the healthcare community and his many patients in deep sorrow.

The sudden passing of the professor has shocked many in the medical field, particularly in Enugu, where he spent his life dedicated to the health and well-being of the people. Prof. Picardo, originally from abroad, became a naturalized Nigerian citizen and adopted Oghe Town in Ezeagu Local Government, Enugu State, as his home, where he left an indelible mark on the local community.

His career spanned decades of selfless service, often going above and beyond to provide medical care, education, and leadership. Over the years, he became a cornerstone of healthcare in Enugu and beyond, touching the lives of countless individuals, many of whom will remember him not just as a doctor but as a compassionate friend and advocate for better health services.

Though Prof. Picardo had faced health challenges of his own, including undergoing cardiac revascularization surgery 15 years ago due to a blockage in his coronary artery, he never allowed his personal struggles to impede his mission of caring for others. He continued to serve the people of Enugu tirelessly, offering hope, expertise, and comfort to those in need.

In recognition of his exceptional service, Prof. Picardo was honored on November 30, 2024, with the prestigious Papal knighthood of St. Gregory the Great, an acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to humanity. He shared this honor with the former Governor of Enugu State, further solidifying his legacy as a pillar in the community.

On 30 November 2024, Professor Neri Gustavo Agapito Picardo, MD, Ph.D., was conferred the title of Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Francis. The investiture ceremony took place at a solemn Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Enugu, Nigeria.

Born in Mombasa, Kenya, in 1949 to Goan parents, Neri is the son of the late John Picardo from Divar and Maria Conceicao Cassia da Vitoria Picardo from St Estevam. He received his primary and secondary education at Sacred Heart School (formerly Goan School) and later completed his GCE Advanced Level at Strathmore College in Nairobi. His medical studies were undertaken at the University of Navarra in Spain, where he graduated cum laude. Neri further enhanced his expertise with a fellowship in Gastroenterology at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York.

In 1981, Neri moved to Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian Federal Government, where he served as a Consultant Physician at Parklane General Hospital in Enugu. He later became the Head of the Department of Medicine and Head of the Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Unit at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. He was the first Medical Director of the Niger Foundation Hospital and continues to serve as a member of its management team.

Neri, a devout member of Opus Dei, has lived in Nigeria for decades, earning deep respect from the local community. He is also a Professor of Internal Medicine at Ebonyi State University and continues to serve as a physician to Bishop Callistus Onaga.

The Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State, praised Neri for his unwavering faith, dedication to medicine, and service to society, calling his Papal Knighthood a well-deserved recognition of his lifelong commitment to both his profession and the Church.

The management of Niger Foundation Hospital and his colleagues expressed profound sadness at his untimely departure. In a statement, they said, "Prof. Picardo’s loss is a monumental blow to the medical community and to the lives he touched. His dedication and commitment to the health of our people will never be forgotten."

As Enugu mourn the loss of this exceptional individual, the words of comfort and gratitude from the many lives he impacted resonate deeply. Prof. Neri Picardo's dedication to the people of Enugu and Nigeria at large will forever be remembered, and his contributions to healthcare will continue to inspire future generations.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may he be granted the crown of eternal glory in the afterlife. Amen.