The Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide and the West African College of Physicians (WACP) have honoured five distinguished medical icons in recognition of their service to humanity during an endowment ceremony held on September 12, 2024, at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The event celebrated the lives and legacies of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, Emeritus Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi, Prof. Ayodele Falase, Prof. Essien Udo Akang, and Dr Olajide Taofik Babalakin, all of whom left lasting imprints on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Four of these five trailblazers were posthumously honoured for their exceptional contributions to medicine, medical education, and leadership. The awards cement their legacies, ensuring that their influence will continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals.
Akinkugbe, widely regarded as the first professor of medicine in Africa, was a towering figure in the field of nephrology.
Ogunlesi, a pioneer in medical education, was recognised for his groundbreaking achievements as the first person to serve as vice chancellor at two federal universities in Nigeria. His academic leadership and administrative foresight set the standard for medical training and institutional governance in Nigeria.
Falase, who was present at the ceremony, was honoured for his immense contributions to medical education and leadership.
He was the first Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, to rise to the position of vice-chancellor. Falase’s work bridged the gap between medical practice and academic administration, furthering the development of Nigeria’s healthcare institutions.
Akang, a brilliant pathologist and former Provost of the College of Medicine, was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to medical education, particularly in pathology. His expertise and passion for teaching left a profound impact on his students and colleagues, making him a revered figure in the medical community.
Babalakin, a nephrologist and member of the Class of 1988, was remembered for his exceptional career in internal medicine, earning a Fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Lexington, USA. His peers paid tribute to his legacy, with the establishment of an award in his honour for the “Best Dissertation in Nephrology” within the Faculty of Internal Medicine at the West African College of Physicians. He was represented by his brothers, Dr. Wale Babalakin and Omotayo Babalakin.
