Get Guardian on GoogleFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, have paid tribute to Prof Akinsanya Osibogun as he retired from public service at 70.
They recognised his contributions to medical education, public health and hospital administration at a valedictory event held at the Old Great Hall of UNILAG’s College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos on Tuesday.
Obasanjo, represented by his wife, Chief Bola Obasanjo, praised the former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for his dedication and leadership.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Obasanjo recalled her daughter’s experience during her National Youth Service Corps programme at the hospital.
“My association with Professor Akin Osibogun dates back to when my daughter served here during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. She would frequently return home with glowing reports of his exceptional efficiency, profound dedication, and tireless work ethic,” she said.
She commended his ability to bring together doctors, nurses and support workers to improve hospital services, urging him to continue sharing his knowledge after retirement.
Salako, represented by LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, praised Osibogun’s contributions to public and community health.
The minister identified his mentorship of younger doctors as an enduring contribution to the profession, saying healthcare leadership required courage, patience and sound judgement.
Ogunsola also recognised Osibogun’s service as a scholar, teacher and administrator. She highlighted achievements recorded during his tenure as LUTH’s Chief Medical Director between 2006 and 2014.
These included the introduction of open-heart surgery and a kidney transplant on a 15-year-old boy.
“At UNILAG, you have served excellently as a scholar, teacher, mentor, and leader,” she said.
Reflecting on his tenure, Osibogun said his administration introduced renal transplantation, open-heart surgery and laparoscopic surgery programmes at LUTH.
He called for increased healthcare funding and measures to train and retain medical professionals.
“And we need to put in place mechanisms to train more health workers and retain more health workers. Those two things are very strategic in developing the health system for Nigerians,” he said.
Osibogun also stressed the need for stronger disease surveillance and preparedness to prevent, detect and contain outbreaks.
Delivering the valedictory lecture titled “Strengthening Health Systems, Shaping Futures: A Tribute to Leadership in Health”, Prof Olumuyiwa Odusanya called for sustained investment in health workers, research, medical equipment and basic infrastructure.
Odusanya, the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, identified inadequate funding, staff shortages, migration of skilled professionals and rising medicine costs among the challenges facing the health sector.
He urged governments to strengthen accountability and ensure that healthcare allocations translate into better services.
The event also featured the presentation of three books authored by Osibogun.
Advising younger professionals, Osibogun urged them to maintain professional standards and resist shortcuts.
“Don’t be in a hurry to be gratified. Have the spirit of delayed gratification. Because at the end of the day, if you are hard-working, if you are professional, and if you do the right things, you’ll be comfortable at the end of the day without cutting corners,” he said.
