Early Life and Education
Born in 1928, Dr. Satuo Sekhose was the third child, amongst ten children, of Mr. Sokhrielie and Mrs. Rheikienuo, from Kohima village. Like many children of his generation, Satuo would attend school during the day and look after his family’s livestock such as goats and sheep in the evenings. Young Satuo grew up, by his own admission, a restless child who was incorrigibly mischievous. He loved sports, particularly football.
Dr. Satuo attended the Mission School in Kohima, established by the pioneering American Missionary, Rev. Supplee. His crave for freedom led him to leave school three times, only to be brought back by his father each time.
As he entered high school, he became increasingly committed in the pursuit of higher education that made him an extremely diligent student. He began to regard education as the most effective means toward carving a purposeful life for himself. Against many odds and challenges, he finished matriculation and got admitted in St. Paul’s College in Calcutta (now Kolkata) where he studied Intermediate Arts (I.A.) in 1953.
Through a government stipend, Dr. Satuo went to study veterinary science at Gauhati, Assam. After his graduation, Dr. Satuo went on to pursue post-graduation at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute at Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh in 1962.
After his post-graduation, Dr. Satuo went to Canada to specialize in poultry farming through the Colombo Scholarship Plan in 1969. With this scholarship, he stayed in Canada for a little over a year. He was always keen to upgrade his skills and had a thirst for knowledge as well as new experiences. After his specialization course in Canada, Dr. Satuo worked at home for a brief period before leaving for Germany to undergo further training for a year in 1979.
Profession and Passion
Dr. Satuo worked in the Department of Veterinary in the Government of Nagaland and eventually rose to the highest echelon to become the head of department. He served in this capacity for more than thirteen years, from 1975 to 1988, making him one of the longest to have served as head of the department. During his tenure, he actively toured all over Nagaland.
His lifelong interest in football led him to become the General Secretary of the Nagaland Football Association. He was instrumental in bringing the Mohun Bagan team to Kohima in 1972. He was also engaged in the Nagaland Rifle Association.
Social Life
Dr. Satuo lived an active and fulfilling social life. He engaged in public life, but away from state politics of politicians and never aspired to be one. He recognized that there were other ways in which one could serve people and give back to society. Some of his most notable contributions were the instrumental role he played in building pioneering educational institutions and left an impact for his big heart in serving the public.
Education remained one of his chief concerns. In the late 1950s, Dr. Satuo, along with a few concerned friends, set up the Naga High School. This was during the height of the Naga political movement for independence and the school had to be forcefully shut down.
Later, Dr. Satuo established the first private college in the state, Kohima College, in 1967, along with three other Founding Members. The college was later taken over by the Nagaland Government in 2006. Dr. Satuo also played a key strategic role in the establishment of Patkai Christian College, Chümukedima. Besides being a Founding Member, he was also the first Treasurer of Patkai Christian College. He was actively involved in the activities of Ura Academy, Kohima.
Dr. Satuo never shied away from voicing out and speaking the truth. In times of crisis, Dr. Satuo’s sharp acumen in taking strategic decisions provided direction that was most appropriate to a given situation for our community. With such qualities, he commanded authority when he spoke and was one of the strongest pillars of the Angami community, earning much respect and repute amongst his contemporaries.
Another aspect of Dr. Satuo that stood out was his willingness to open his house for conversations concerning our people. Of the many important meetings he hosted, his house witnessed key conversations on the reconciliation amongst the divided Naga society.
Importantly, Dr. Satuo was instrumental in revitalizing the Naga Club sometime during the period between 2012 to 2016. Some elders including Dr. Satuo took upon themselves the responsibility to resurrect the Club driven by their firm conviction that the legacy of the Naga Club that gave the first written record and the foundation of Naga political aspiration must be taken forward. The Naga Club remains deeply indebted and his contributions would always be remembered.
Dr. Satuo did not enter electoral politics of the state, nor did he ever aspired to be one. Dr. Satuo lived a life that revolved around his family, his faith, and his unwavering concern and service to the people, with love, honesty, and integrity.
A Man of Faith
Dr. Satuo was deeply committed to his Christian faith. While in Uttar Pradesh, he often took the opportunity to share the Gospel. Every Sunday, he would go to have fellowship with Naga political prisoners, about thirty of them, who were held in the general prison there.
Dr. Satuo considered it a privilege and duty to do his bit in sharing the Gospel. He regularly shared God’s word by preaching in various local churches and similar programs. He was also amongst the earliest members of the Gideon International Bible Society in Nagaland and enthusiastically participated in the distribution of Bibles to educational institutions and places where it lacked.
He also took up other responsibilities of the Church that included Chairman of the Governing Body at the Shalom Bible Seminary, Sechü Zubza. He served as President of the Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC). He was a Deacon as well as the Chairman of the Executive Council in his home church, Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima.
A Family Man
Dr. Satuo married his wife Mrs. Khrieü Sekhose during the midst of his veterinary studies. He often credited her for being his biggest support system as she took care of their children, while he was away for prolonged periods pursuing his higher studies or undergoing further training abroad. He has testified how his wife encouraged him in his faith before and during the early years of their marriage and has called her his greatest blessing.
Dr. Satuo and his wife have long departed from this world. However, their legacy lives on through their children (three sons and three daughters), along with thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
The Naga Club is deeply honoured in bringing out this booklet in memory of Dr. Satuo Sakhose on his 10th death anniversary. The intention behind this brief biography of Dr. Satuo is to remember his contributions to our society, and in particular, the Naga Club. We are grateful to Dr. Satuo’s children for giving us the opportunity and for graciously sharing materials about his personal and family life.
President, Naga Club
General Secretary,
Naga Club
Sunday, November 8, 2026