– Titus Adeolu Adekunle.
If any African could have won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in his active days, it would mostly likely have been Emeritus Professor Olujimi O. Akinkugbe for his remarkable contribution to the knowledge of hypertension and kidney disease among the Blacks. It therefore did not come as a surprise that his retirement brought a life-long friend, “Baba Iyabo”, a Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief (Dr) Olusegun Obasanjo to the International Conference Centre, Ibadan as the chairman of the occasion which held on Thursday, 25th October, 2018.
The hanging of stethoscope, a rite to signify retirement from active service was coming after 60 years in the medical profession and 50 years as a professor of medicine. The event which had Professor Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa, the Provost of the College of Medicine as the compere also saw the presence of many notable persons within and outside profession, former governors and senators.
The event witnessed tributes from various quarters and a lecture titled “Africa’s Health: Matters Arising” by Sir Eldryd Parry, who also came with his wife, Lady Helen Parry. The University of Ibadan Choir also had beautiful performances to entertain the audience.
Reacting to the encomiums showered on the august occasion, the 85-year old honoree remarked that his reason for “retiring” was because he did not want to be a patient in his own clinic. He went on to remind the audience about the quality of discipline and excellence Ibadan Medical School was known for emphasising the role in training medical students. “It used to be said that Ibadan was number 5 or 6 on the list of Commonwealth medical schools in the 60s and 70s” He went on to address consultants who “arrive at work by 12 o’ clock and leave by noon”.
He concluded by saying “If the past quarrels with the present, the major casualty is the future”
Taking the stethoscope from the Erudite Scholar and Physician, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo noted that a ladder was brought so the stethoscope would be hung out of the Professor’s reach and he would not be tempted to pick it again. The stethoscope was passed to the Provost of the College of Medicine and the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital who hung the stethoscope.
“The stethoscope (and wardcoat) would be rested in the archives of the University College Hospital.” The CMD said.
