The Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMMA) Worldwide in collaboration with the West African College of Physicians (WACP) on Thursday September 12, 2024 held an endowment ceremony in honour of five distinguished scholars. The persons so honoured for their indelible contributions to the medical profession are Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, Emeritus Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi, Professor Ayodele Falase, Professor Effiong Akang and Dr. Olajide Taofik Babalakin. Only Professor Ayodele Falase was physically present and he was at the event in the company of his wife, Dr. Adelola Falase. The other awardees are of blessed memory and were represented by family members.
The ceremony was graced by Professor K. O. Adebowale FAS (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, ably represented by the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, CoMUI); Professor Temidayo. O. Ogundiran (Provost CoMUI), Mr. A. E. Odedele (Secretary to the College, CoMUI); Professor Jesse. A. Otegbayo (Chief Medical Director -CMD, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan represented by Professor Abiola Okunlola);Professor T.A. Lawal; ( Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences) Professor M. D. Dairo (Dean, Faculty of Public Health); Professor Prisca Adejumo (Dean, Faculty of Nursing); Mr. S. O. Ayansina (Financial Controller, CoMUI) Professor E. O. Otolorin (President, ICOMMA Worldwide); Professor Olufemi Ogunbiyi (Representative, West African College of Physicians); among others distinguished academics and members of the public.
The Provost, CoMUI, Professor T. O. Ogundiran heartily congratulated the honorees and referenced the event as a solemn reminder to all that all we do in our daily lives and especially in our workplace leaves a legacy behind about us. In his words, who we are, what we do or do not do, what we say or do not say will mark us out, and we shall be remembered sometime, somehow, and somewhere.
The CMD, Prof. J. Otegbayo in his speech profiled the calibre of the awardees at the auspicious event. While acknowledging their contributions to the training of medical professionals and the practice of medicine in Nigeria, he observed that among them are:
- the first Professor of Medicine in Africa
- the first person to be Vice Chancellor in two different Federal Universities in Nigeria
- the first alumnus to be the Chairman of the board of Management of UCH
- the first Provost of the College of Medicine to become Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan
The event which was anchored by Dr. Gbolahan Obajimi took place at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of CoMUI. The citation of the awardees was read by Dr. Taiwo Soyinka, ICOMAA Worldwide Vice President II. The presentation of the awards was conducted by Prof Emmanuel. O. Otolorin, President of ICOMAA Worldwide. He made known to the public the specific awards endowed in the name of each of the honorees and the conditions attached to the respective awards. In addition to the general awards, some representatives of the class of 1983 made a special presentation to the widow of the late Prof E. Akang.
The Class of 1988 specially celebrated the late Dr. Olajide Taofik Babalakin, an awardee who was a member of their set who had his Residency in Internal Medicine and enjoyed a Fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Lexington, USA. The award in his honour is for the Best Dissertation in Nephrology within the Faculty of Internal Medicine at the West African College of Physicians. Dr Olajide Babalakin was born into the family of Justice and Chief (Mrs) Bola Babalakin on March 7, 1966. He was represented at the event by his brothers, Arc. Omotayo Babalakin and Dr. Wale Babalakin.
The President and Council of WACP was represented by a past Secretary General of the College, Prof Olufemi Ogunbiyi. He noted that the award ceremony is a recognition of the excellence, commitment and extraordinary service to the medical profession by the awardees as their contributions spanned decades, continents and countless lives.
The response from the honorees was given by Professor Ayodele Falase who thanked all the organizers and gave a note of appreciation on behalf of the families of all the honorees. He noted that two of the departed medical icons he was honoured along with were his teachers. He recounted how Prof. O.O Akinkugbe facilitated his postgraduate training in Britain. He narrated his experience as a student and how he had to grapple with daunting challenges to qualify. He also spoke about the birth of WACP and the roles played by some notable medical elders. He encouraged the younger generation to prioritise mentoring.
The endowment ceremony was coordinated by the MBBS Class of 1988, the set to which Professor Temidayo. O. Ogundiran, the 13th Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan belongs. In a note of appreciation posted after the event, Dr.Kayode Ojedele of the Class of 1988 acknowledged the immense support the organisers received from distinguished members of ICOMAA worldwide. Notable contributions were made by the Class of 1983 who were keen on securing the legacy of Professor Essien Udo Akang. Apart from the huge contributions of the MBBS Class of 1983 and 1988, other public-spirited alumni and individuals also gave towards the success of the event.
The closing remarks and vote of thanks were given by Professor Oyedunni Arulogun, ICOMAA Worldwide Vice President 1.
You can watch the full event here:https://youtube.com/live/zDbSvA0iYq4
