PROFILE: NERI GUSTAVO AGAPITUS PICARDO

Neri Gustavo Agapitus Picardo, who was known simply as Neri to his family and friends and as “Prof” to many who deeply cherished him, passed away on February 5, 2025. His death, though a profound loss, was in keeping with his life of dedicated service. He collapsed while seeing a patient at Niger Foundation Hospital, a testament to his unwavering commitment to care, a commitment that extended to his final moments.
Neri was born on April 21, 1949, in Mombasa, Kenya, to Indian parents. He was the 3rd of four children. His siblings are Valez, Thelma and Roy. He held dual nationality as a British and Nigerian citizen. Seeking a deeper sense of belonging in Nigeria, he was adopted by the people of Neke Oghe, Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State, who embraced him as one of their own.
His academic journey began at Goan High School, Mombasa (1955–1962), followed by Sacred Heart High School, Mombasa (1962–1966) and Strathmore College, Nairobi (1966–1968). His love for Medicine led him to University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain (1968–1974), where he earned his Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery. He completed his rotatory internship (1974–1975) at the University of Navarra Teaching Hospital and a residency in Internal Medicine (1975–1978) at the university’s Professional School of Internal Medicine.
During his residency, he specialized in Gastroenterology, working under Dr. Eduardo Ortiz de Landazurri, his mentor. From the latter, he learnt first-hand a demanding work ethic that always puts the needs of the patient as a person at the heart of medical care. It was a deep influence that Neri would always speak about with reverence. There he mastered endoscopy and related techniques. In 1977, he earned the title Specialist in Gastroenterology from the Ministry of Education and Science, Spain. His doctoral thesis, awarded “Sobresaliente cum laude”, was published in the journal Parasite and Immunology. By 1979, he had obtained the title Doctor in Medicine and Surgery from the Spanish government.
A Calling to Work and Serve
Prof. Picardo was not just a doctor; he was a man whose work was his path to holiness. While he was in Kenya, he came in contact with Opus Dei, an institution in the Catholic Church made up of lay people (married and celibate) and priests that was founded by Saint Josemaria in 1928. It helps to promote the search for holiness in the pursuit of one’s ordinary everyday activities. On his 22nd birthday, while he was in his third year in Medical School in Spain, Neri decided to answer God’s call to be a celibate member of Opus Dei and to live by its spirit. He would do so for over five decades. For him, work was not just a profession but a means of service, a path to sanctity and an ever-deeper union with God. Whether in a hospital ward, a university lecture hall, or having a simple conversation, he saw each encounter as an opportunity to bring Christ to others.
On the morning that he passed on, he had begun his day as he always did, spending half an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and attending Mass. For 15 minutes, he also read parts of a spiritual book and passages of the Gospel. Part of his morning routine included setting out the liturgical items for the Mass to be celebrated in the centre of Opus Dei where he lived. These were all parts of his usual day. No matter how busy he was, he would never neglect the usual acts of piety or attention to his family that were an integral part of his life. His passing, though heartbreaking, underscores the extraordinary nature of his ordinary life, a life dedicated to doing good, a life lived in service to God and others.
His career took him across continents. He pursued a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center, New York, USA, before arriving in Nigeria in January 1981 under a Federal Government appointment. He liked mentioning that he came to Nigeria from New York since it was something that often took people by surprise. His reason was his desire to work in a less-developed country and offer his services there. His impact on the Nigerian medical field was profound.
He served as Consultant Physician in the Department of Medicine at Parklane General Hospital, Enugu, later becoming Chief Consultant and Head of Department. He also led the Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Unit at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, where he trained generations of resident doctors in endoscopy. Even after formal retirement, he continued to be invited as an External Examiner for UNTH graduates. He was also a Consultant at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, and a Professor of Internal Medicine at Ebonyi State University’s College of Medicine. In 2022, he was appointed to the Project Implementing Committee for the State University of Medical Sciences (SUMAS).
During his visit to Nigeria in 1989, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, then Prelate of Opus Dei. enjoined his sons in Enugu to embark on a project that would contribute in a meaningful way to the social welfare of the region. Prof. Picardo, along with other doctors and professionals, began Niger Foundation Hospital and Diagnostic Centre (NFH) in 1993. NFH is a not-for-profit hospital that attends to patients from all walks of life. He was the pioneer Medical Director and, afterwards, continued to tirelessly build that institution as a Gastroenterologist and Senior Medical Consultant in Internal Medicine. Along with doctors like Dr. Joe Machimbarrena, Dr. Regina Akosa and many others, the foundation of NFH was built, growing it from its humble beginnings in a rented building to the hospital it is today.
In the discharge of his duties, he was humble and attentive. He always had time for his patients, many of them with scarce material needs. His patients were always moved by his patience and attention to small details. Another point that needs to be mentioned with regard to his professional work was the sheer number of people he trained in the various institutions he worked. He had a penchant for training and mentoring young doctors and nurses. He was always demanding but was also sincerely concerned about their individual welfare.
His service did not go unrecognized. Among the many honours he received were:
Excellence in Vocational Service (New Enugu Coal City Lions Club)
Merit Award of Excellence (National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives)
Distinguished Citizen of Nigeria (2018) (Nigeria Police)
The life of Prof. Picardo was not only about work. He was an avid tennis player and followed the global game keenly, especially when a “Grand Slam” was on. He also had a great love for music and could be heard playing the guitar often after a busy day of work to relax. His favourite musical acts included The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Another way he rested was visiting his friends. He was always available for them and shared their joys and concerns. He was also very dedicated to raising funds for building many social initiatives such as Iwollo Rural Health Centre, Iwollo Conference Centre and Hillpoint University Centre.
A Life of Faith and Generosity
Faith permeated every aspect of Prof. Picardo’s life. Inspired by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, he learned to offer his work and daily activities as a path to holiness. He was a man of deep prayer, striving always to serve the Church as the Church wants to be served, in full unity with the Bishop. His love for the Church was also evident in his long-standing role as Physician to the Servant of God, Bishop Michael Eneja, and, later, to the bishops who succeeded him. Priests and laypeople alike bear witness to his unwavering concern for their physical and spiritual well-being.
In recognition of his service to the Church, Pope Francis conferred upon him the title of Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great. The investiture ceremony took place at a solemn Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu on 30 November 2024.
Yet, despite these honors, he remained the same – humble, approachable, and tireless in his work. His life was marked by a spirit of self-giving, constantly seeking ways to improve society and assist initiatives that supported those in need.
In his passing, we mourn the loss of a great man. Yet, we also celebrate a life well-lived—a life of holiness, service, and unwavering dedication.
As earlier stated, while attending to a patient in the clinic at about 9.30am on that fateful day, he suddenly collapsed even though he had shown no signs of being ill. Immediately, his colleagues -specialists, doctors and nurses- put their best and sustained efforts to resuscitate him for the next three and a half hours but they didn’t manage to do so. It was not a surprise that he ended his life the way he had lived it, serving others.
Rest in peace, Neri.
Your legacy lives on in the countless lives you touched.