Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and ex-governor of Ogun State Gbenga Daniel on Friday attended the funeral service of Theophilus Ogunlesi, Nigeria’s first professor of medicine.
Originally from the Sagamu region of Ogun State, Ogunlesi died on January 19, 2023. He was 99 years old.
In 1965, he became the nation’s first professor of medicine, cementing his place in the annals of medical education.
He was the first head of UCH, Ibadan, the first president of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, and the founding director of the Ibarapa Community Health programme, which later became the model for primary health care interventions in many parts of Africa.
The funeral service was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Igbogun Street, Sagamu.
Osinbajo, Abiodun and others gave speeches at the funeral service. The vice president reminded the congregation of Ogunlesi’s “work ethic, selfless service, transparency, unwavering loyalty to Nigeria, and dedication to her public service.”
He added, “His life stands as a challenge for us to live up to the high values necessary to build people, institutions, and our society in general.”
The funeral programme kicked off on Tuesday with a ceremony at the Old Great Hall of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
On Wednesday, there was a lying-in-state at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan and main foyer of UCH, Ibadan.
A wake was held on Thursday at Igbobi Makun, Sagamu.
