Obasanjo, minister, others eulogise Prof. Osibogun on retirement

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, led an assembly of high-profile dignitaries to celebrate Prof. Akin Osibogun as he officially retired from public service on Tuesday.

The gathering took place at the Old Great Hall of the university’s College of Medicine in Idi-Araba, Lagos, during a valedictory lecture held in honor of the world-class Professor of Public Health and former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The event drew a massive audience from academia, the medical community, and traditional institutions.

Among the prominent figures paying tribute were Dr. Abayomi Finnih, who served as the chairman of the occasion; Dr. Dere Awosika, renowned public administrator; Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the current Chief Medical Director of LUTH; Prof. Ademola Oremosu, Provost of the College of Medicine.

Also in attendance were Prof. John Obafunwa, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR); Prof. Anthony Nnaemeka Ikefuna, President of the Postgraduate Medical College. Prof. Temitope Ayodeji Esan, Registrar of the Postgraduate Medical College; Prof. Oluwole Familoni, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), UNILAG.

The celebrant’s family was fully represented, led by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Osibogun, and two of their children and a grandchild. The traditional institution also registered its presence with several white cap chiefs representing the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akinolu, alongside other traditional rulers, former students, colleagues, and friends.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented at the event by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, described the retiring professor as a great scholar and an administrator par excellence.

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Sharing a personal connection to the medical icon, Mrs. Obasanjo recounted her family’s experience:

“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.”

Mrs. Obasanjo further lauded his capability to rally human resources for institutional growth, calling him a truly outstanding physician who worked harmoniously with a formidable team of doctors, nurses, cleaners, and support staff to elevate LUTH into a radiant center of excellence.

Addressing the celebrant directly, she remarked: “Professor Osibogun, though you are officially retiring, I firmly believe you are not yet tired. You still have a vast wealth of knowledge and service to offer. Your career stands as a powerful testament to what it means to be excellent, dedicated, diligent, courageous, selfless, and hardworking.” 

In his own tribute, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako—represented by the current LUTH CMD, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo—hailed Osibogun as a “super administrator” who has contributed immensely to humanity and the field of public and community health.

Dr. Salako noted that navigating leadership in a complex healthcare environment demands courage, patience, fair judgment, and the capacity to balance competing demands—traits that Osibogun demonstrated routinely throughout his career.

Highlighting what he considered the professor’s most enduring legacy, the minister pointed to his vast commitment to mentorship, “Prof. Osibogun has nurtured an entire generation of doctors, shaping not only their professional competence but also their understanding of responsibility, leadership, and planning. The true measure of a great academic position lies not simply in the number of publications produced or professional roles occupied, but in the lives transformed and the calibre of people produced.”

On her part, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the former CMD of LUTH as the personification of humanity, greatness, and professional excellence.

Lauding his impactful career, the Vice-Chancellor commended his visionary tenure as LUTH CMD from 2006 to 2014, highlighting historic milestones such as the successful introduction of open-heart surgery and a landmark kidney transplant on a 15-year-old boy.

“At UNILAG, you have served excellently as a scholar, teacher, mentor, and leader,” Prof. Ogunsola said, referencing his elevation to the rank of Distinguished Professor of Public Health. “Because a goldfish has no hiding place, I know that as you step into retirement from UNILAG, you are simply stepping into higher service.

 Your legendary achievements have already gone ahead of you, as evidenced by your recent appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of a new private medical university here in Lagos. So, I believe you will do greater exploits, and I wish you the best in your future endeavours.”

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In his response, an emotional Prof. Osibogun, who clocked 70 years, expressed immense gratitude to the audience for the overwhelming show of love and accolades. Reflecting on his career, he described himself as a lifelong beneficiary of God’s grace.

“I have been a beneficiary of grace. I have never struggled for anything, and that is the grace of God on me,” he remarked. He expressed deep fulfillment in his academic legacy, noting that his department now boasts up to ten full professors and eight associate professors, many of whom passed through his tutelage.

Prof. Osibogun also extended special appreciation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife for their unwavering support. He recalled that despite having no prior personal relationship, President Obasanjo approved his appointment as CMD and maintained a keen interest in supporting LUTH’s groundbreaking medical advancements.

Two major highlights of the event were the public presentation of Prof. Osibogun’s three new books and the valedictory lecture titled “Strengthening Health Systems, Shaping Futures: A Tribute to Leadership in Health.” 

The lecture was delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, who paid glowing tribute to Prof. Osibogun’s enduring contributions to healthcare delivery in Nigeria and across the African continent.