Chief Dr. Kitefre Oboho embodies the virtues of discipline, humility, hard work, and generosity. Addressed as Chief kitefre Okitefre Oboho, MD, MSc, FAAFP, Okete-Okete Oro, he is a humanitarian of high standard. From his humble beginnings in Oron to his distinguished roles in medicine and community leadership across continents, his life is a testament to what steadfast faith and service can accomplish. A philanthropist, scholar, patriot, and mentor — Chief Oboho remains a beacon of inspiration to Oro Nation and to all who believe that true greatness is found in service to others.
Early Life & Education
Dr. Kitefre (Okitefre) Oboho, fondly known as Koko Oboho, was born on December 25, 1953, to Late Rev. and Mrs. Edet Okon Oboho of Oyoku-Ibighi of present day Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A man of uncommon intellect, perseverance, and compassion, Dr. Oboho’s life story is one of devotion — to medicine, to community service, and to humanity.
Dr. Kitefre Oboho began his early education at Zion Primary School, Akani Obio, Oron (1959–1962). Being the son of a school headmaster, he moved to Methodist School, Ikpe Oro for a year and ended up at Methodist Manse, Oron where he completed his primary school education in 1965. He later attended Salvation Army Secondary School, Akai-Ubiom in 1966 until the Nigerian Civil War interrupted his studies.
Following the liberation of Oro in 1968, he transferred to Methodist Boys’ High School, Oron, where he completed his secondary education in 1971, finishing with second-best result in his class. In 1972, he was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to study Medicine and Surgery. He graduated in 1978 with the degrees of MB, BCh, after which he completed his housemanship and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1980.
The desire for a deepened expertise pushed Dr Oboho to joining the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1982, where he obtained a Master’s degree in General Practice. In 2002, he commenced a surgical residency training and was honoured with the Chairman’s Award as Best Resident of the Year. Later, realizing his passion for holistic care, he transitioned to Family Medicine and completed his residency in 2006. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and has several academic publications to his credit.
Medical Career
A thoroughbred medical expert, Chief Oboho’s medical career began at Nya Clinic, Calabar, before joining the University of Calabar in 1981. Upon returning to Nigeria in 1984, after obtaining his Master’s degree in General Practice from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, Dr. Kitefre Oboho resumed service at the University of Calabar and rose to the position of Deputy Director of Health Services. During this period, he and his wife played instrumental roles in facilitating the admission of many Oron students into various academic programmes at the University of Calabar. Chief Dr. Oboho and his family relocated to the US in 1995, still practicing as medical worker.
His early years in the U.S. were marked by humility and perseverance. Despite being a qualified physician, he initially worked in factories and as a Nurse Technician, while awaiting an opportunity to begin medical residency training. His resilience paid off in 2002, when he was offered a residency training programme in surgery. He later transitioned to Family Medicine and completed his residency in 2006, becoming Board Certified in Family Medicine.
Today, Dr. Oboho serves as a Staff Physician at the Atlanta Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Fort McPherson Community-Based Clinic, one of the facilities under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, he is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, where he mentors and trains future physicians as a Residency Training Coordinator.
Community & Humanitarian Service
Dr. Oboho’s love for community service is as deep as his professional accomplishments. His journey with Oron Union began in 1972, when the late Chief Ambe Bassey introduced him to the organisation. He remained an active member and a steadfast supporter of Oron Union until his relocation to the United States in 1995. There, he became a strong pillar of the Oron Development Union (ODU) USA, contributing financially and morally to the growth of Oro communities abroad and at home. Meanwhile, the Okete-Okete Oro was in 1993, appointed as a member of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Caretaker Committee, where he discharged his duties meritoriously as both the vice chairman and the supervisor for health. It was during this time that the channels opened, prompting his relocation to the United States of America.
A founding member of Committee of Friends Oro (COFO) Club, he extended its influence to the United States by establishing a U.S. chapter that continues to offer scholarships to Oron students pursuing tertiary education.
In 1988, Dr. Oboho spearheaded the creation of the Oyoku-Ibighi Development Association and served as its first president until 1995. His leadership brought tangible progress to his hometown — including rural electrification projects that connected Oyoku-Ibighi and neighbouring communities, such as Ukuko, Umume, and Uboro to the power grid. The first Oyoku-Ibighi indigene living outside of Oron to build a home in the village, Dr Oboho built a magnificent residence completed in 1987, which featured the first borehole with free water for members of his community.
His enduring philanthropy is evident in countless community projects:
•Construction of Oyoku-Ibighi Plaza, a modern edifice for public use.
•Donation of a mobile Table Tennis facility for youth recreation and engagement, aimed at curbing restiveness.
•Facilitation of 2,000 exercise books donated by ODU USA (Atlanta Chapter) to the Government School, Oyoku-Ibighi in 2024.
•Taking over of ongoing construction works at the Methodist Manse, Oyoku-Ibighi — a herculean task valued at about ₦25 million which he would personally undertake to provide accommodation for ministers serving in the community.
•Over the past 10 years, Dr Oboho has consistently donated medical equipment worth over 25,000 Dollars to the General Hospital, Iquita, Oron.
In 2015, Dr. Oboho and his family founded the Rev. Edet Okon Oboho Scholarship Programme in honour of his late father. The initiative supports Oyoku-Ibighi students in tertiary institutions, providing financial aid ranging from ₦70,000 to ₦150,000 per student annually. Since its inception, hundreds of students have graduated through this programme, with 86 active beneficiaries still running as of 2025.
His compassion was again demonstrated in 2018, when he visited Government Primary School, Oyoku-Ibighi and saw pupils learning while seated on the floor. Moved by their plight, he donated 100 long sitting desks, transforming the learning environment. He has also donated 50 desks to his wife’s village of Udesi Isong Inyang.
On Friday, October 31, 2025, Dr Oboho and wife, Dr (Mrs) Atim Oboho, empowered 20 women with N100,000 each to assist them in their petty businesses. The event marked a collaborative move by the chairman of Urueoffong Oruko LGA, Chief Uno Etim Uno, who being represented by the vice chairman, Mrs Arit Ambit, announced a support of N1,000,000 to add 10 more women to the scheme.
Dr Atim Oboho also assisted to establish the Oyoku-Ibighi Patriots Group, a body of community-minded citizens providing school uniforms, footwear, and writing materials to pupils, as well as funding of JAMB registration for aspiring university students.
For his visionary leadership and tireless contributions to Oro Nation, Dr. Oboho was conferred the Traditional Chieftaincy Title of Okete Okete Oro by Late Ahta Oro VII, HRM (Hon.) Edet Okon Isemin in 2018.
Family Life
Dr. Oboho is happily married to Dr (Mrs.) Atim Oboho (née Ebiefie), FCA, CPA, his devoted partner of over 47 years. Together, they share a strong Christian faith as active members of the Methodist Church. Their union is blessed with four children and five grandchildren.
In all, it is simple to deduce that Dr. Kitefre Oboho is a testament to the power of selfless service and the boundless potential that lies ahead. His journey reminds that true fulfillment comes not from personal achievements, but from the positive impact one can make in the lives of others. As a beacon of hope and compassion, Dr. Oboho’s legacy teaches that “the best way to find oneself is to lose it in the service of others.