The Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) and University College Hospital (UCH) on Monday, September 21 celebrated the 70th birthday and retirement of Dr. Arinola Adeyoola Sanusi after over three decades of meritorious service in the aforementioned institutions.
Dr. Arinola Adeyoola Sanusi was accompanied to the venue by her spouse, Professor Rasaki Ajani Sanusi, a retired Professor of Human Nutrition, their children and grandchildren.
The event, which took place at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre and attracted principal officers of the institutions and dignitaries from across the country was chaired by Professor B. O. Bolaji. Among the dignitaries present at the occasion were Professor J. Arotiba, UI Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic; Professor T. O. Ogundiran, Provost, CoMUI; Professor J. A. Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director, UCH, represented by Professor O. Oluwasola; Professor T. A. Lawal, Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Dr. O. K. Idowu, Head, Department of Anaesthesia.
Also in attendance were deans of faculties, directors of institutes, heads of departments and units, former Provosts and Deputy Provosts of CoMUI, past Chief Medical Directors of UCH, CoMUI living legends, invited guests from sister institutions, teaching and non-teaching staff, members of the press, family members of the celebrant and well-wishers.
Goodwill messages were presented by numerous dignitaries, including Professor J. Arotiba, Professor T. O. Ogundiran, Professor J. A. Otegbayo, and Professor T. A. Lawal, among others.
The speakers described Dr. Sanusi as a clinician par excellence, an astute teacher, mentor and internationally renowned scholar whose impact remains indelible in the lives of patients she treated, students she mentored and everyone who crossed her path. They noted that she served the institutions in various capacities including Head, Department of Anaesthesia from 2004 to 2006, member of the College of Medicine Counselling Unit and member of the Resuscitation Committee, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, among others.
Representatives of her professional bodies, including the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and National Medical Practitioners and Medical Council of Nigeria (NPMCN), as well as her mentees and family members and staff representatives, also spoke at the occasion. They described her as an amazing mother and a godly woman who had devoted her life to mentoring and welfare of others.
The guest lecturer, Professor Folayemi Faponle, delivered a lecture titled “From the Operating Theatre to the ICU: Cultivating Clinical Excellence and Institutional Standards Through Medical Education,” while the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State, Professor A. O. Lasisi, delivered a keynote address titled “The Silent Sentinel Behind the Drapes: A Surgeon’s Tribute to Four Decades of Partnership in the Shadow of the Laryngoscope.”
Professor Faponle described Dr. Arinola Sanusi as a fortunate scholar whose clinical and academic excellence could be traced to her opportunity and ability to stand on the shoulders of giants. She also expressed admiration for her resilience throughout her professional journey pointing out that she contributed immensely to the advancement of Anaesthesia globally despite all odds. While describing Dr. Sanusi as a woman who lives a sacrificial life, she said she taught the sociology of Anaesthesia rather than merely teaching the subject. She said the highest honour that could be conferred on the celebrant is to keep her legacies alive.
Professor Lasisi described Dr. Arinola Sanusi as a problem solver, a quiet achiever, a well-rounded family woman, calm and brilliant scholar whose success could be traced to her pedigree.
In recognition of the insightful lectures delivered, plaques of honour were presented to the speakers. Professor Ogundiran afterwards invited the living legends in attendance led by Professor Kikelomo Osinusi, to decorate and formally welcome Dr. Arinola Sanusi into the CoMUI Living Legends group.
In her response, Dr. Sanusi thanked God for sparing her life to witness her 70th birthday. She appreciated the management teams of UI, CoMUI and UCH for their unwavering support in diverse ways. She lauded her mentors whose tutelage she said had shaped her life positively and thanked everyone including her colleagues and immediate family members, for being part of her success story over the years.
Other activities that added colour to the event included the cutting of the birthday cake, a toast to the celebrant, presentation of gifts, a video documentary on Dr. Sanusi and a group photograph session. The occasion was anchored by Dr. Kehinde Adebayo of the Department of Anaesthesia.
By: Biomedical Communication Centre (BCC, CoMUI)