Tribute to the new Otun Bashorun of Ibadan Land: Chief Dr. Azeez Adeduntan

As the world revered International Surgeon becomes first Otun Bashorun of Ibadan Land

Bashorun and Otun Bashorun were the title given to war veterans during the old Oyo Empire.

Otun Bashorun is the second in command to Bashorun and act most of the time possibly when Bashorun is incapacitated or his of old age and would lead battles, fight wars, mobilise and train “soldiers” and conquer the enemies even in the absence of Bashorun.

Otun Bashorun usually is a notable nobleman and always a leader of the military even dated back to the old Oyo Empire during the 17th/18th century. He was instrumental to the military conquests during his time as a prime minister.

After the death of Lakanle, his deputy Oluyole who was as at then was Otun Bashorun became the leader of Ibadan between 1840 and 1850.

This combination of the quiet dignity of a royal, the irresistible charm of an entertainer, and the skills and smarts of a mercenary warrior/ street hustler, combined to make Bashorun Oluyole the great leader that he became.

For one thing, He knew how to read people and to charm people, evidenced by the way he was able to first of all, rise within the ranks of Oluyedun’s army in a relatively short period of time and how he was able to turn Lakanle’s fellow chiefs against him and topple the latter.

Now, Ibadan land, the ancient largest city in West Africa is about to witness another historical event as one of its Pride, uncompromising Ibadan Son of Ile Olupoyi Oja’ba, one of the world finest surgeon, former health commissioner in Oyo state, one time governorship candidate, Labour party in Oyo State and just of recent, governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressive Congress in Oyo state becomes the first Otun Bashorun Of Ibadanland.

At a time when his contemporaries are either slowing down or have halted their activities completely due to the political experiences of the recent past, Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, the new Otun Bashorun Of Ibadanland is on the go, determined to make every passing day better than the previous one for those in his immediate and remote environment.

The International surgeon energy bursts forth when he comes across an opportunity to improve life and living. He never withdraws when it is time to assist; he never holds back when it is time to lend a hand, and never keeps quiet when there is the need to speak in favour of the masses. For him, life derives meaning from the impact it makes.

Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan is the new Otun Bashorun Of Ibadan Land.

He is an American Board of Surgery (ABS)-Certified Vascular Surgeon.

He attended the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center, New York.

Otun Bashorun Of Ibadan Land attended Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts for fellowship training in Vascular Surgery.

Otun Bashorun Azeez Adeduntan is a Fellow of American College Of Surgeons (FACS), Fellow, International College Of Surgeons (FICS), Member, Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS),

Peripheral Vascular Society (PVS), Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS).

He graduated as the Best All-round Student in 1972 at African Church Grammar School, Ibadan.

He won the Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Medicine and studied at the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) graduating with Distinction in 1981. Here again, he won the Best Student in Community

Medicine Award, and the Prestigious Lawrence Omole’s Prize for Proficient Students.

The new Otun Bashorun runs a not-for-profit organization – Dr. Azeez Popoola Adeduntan Foundation (DAPAF)

*DAPAF goes into high risk areas in the USA and Nigeria and provide healthcare to reduce incidence and death from strokes, reduce death at child birth in pregnant women, provide scholarship and educational equipments such as computer stations to low income and under privileged areas.

DAPAF also provides clean drinking water (potable) to reduce the incidence of typhoid, dysentery and gastroenteritis that keep Nigerian children out of schools and parents off their jobs and duties.

Since its establishment, the foundation has made serious impact in the  core areas of its intervention.

In the area of healthcare, it has as its objective, the provision of healthcare to everyone particularly at the grassroots level so that all the people wherever they are and whoever they are can have access to total community health.

With respect to the poverty alleviation intervention of the foundation, DAPAF has empowered thousands of traders and artisans to improve their vocation.

No wonder the Olubadan of Ibadan land Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Oguguniso the first in its magnanimity and in the evidence of all good deeds of Dr Azeez Adeduntan decided to honour this man of great character with the first ever in the history of Ibadan honorary title the first Otun Bashorun Of Ibadan come this saturday 2nd November, 2019 at his palace.

Congratulations sir.

Olamilekan Sunday is the Media Assistant To Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan.