A SAGE AT SEVENTY
Professor Philip Olusola Olatunji was born on May 20th,1950 in Abalabi, under the then Abeokuta Division of Ogun State. He was born into a humble background with an educated father and an uneducated but intelligent and hard-working mother, in a polygamous setting. He is the fifth of his mother’s six children. His father was educated enough to be a president of a Customary Court, a Produce Inspector, and a Lay Preacher, and so possessed the potential for financing the primary education of his children. Philip had his primary education in Abalabi Central School from 1957 to 1962 and Secondary Modern School from 1963 to 1965. This was made easy through the free education legacy of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
However, a violent political atmosphere and the prodigality of one of his step-brothers led to the loss of a substantial portion of his father’s financial capacity, making it difficult to afford to sponsor the children’s secondary education. Fortunately for Philip, an opportunity arose for him to be picked up by his elder brother, a teacher at the time, in order to learn some electrical skills. This subsequently facilitated his secondary school education at the Adeola Odutola Comprehensive College, Ijebu-Ode, from 1968 to 1971, having been enrolled at the late age of 18.
He was awarded the Western State Secondary School and Proprietor’s Scholarships. He exceeded all expectations as he spent only 4 years there, due to a double promotion that allowed him go through Forms 2 and 3 in a single year. His penchant for activism already began o shine through as he participated in a protest against the school authorities concerning the improvement of the student meal quality. He completed his secondary education with a Division One School Certificate result.
Philip then proceeded to the then Federal School of Science, Victoria Island, Lagos (now in Victoria Island) between 1972 and 1974 for his ‘A’ Level studies in Physics, Chemistry and Zoology. At the end of the ‘A’ Level program, financial difficulties again crept up, making it impossible for him to proceed to the University without first seeking some employment. It was during this time that he came across an opportunity to proceed to the United Kingdom for an Ordinary National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering with Marine bias as part of the program of the then Nigeria National Shipping Line.
This would take him to Highbury Technical College, Portsmouth, England. He seized the opportunity, went on to complete the OND with distinctions in Physics and Applied Mechanics between 1974 and 1976, then returned to pick up his ‘A’ Level results. He was now at a crossroad; to proceed with said results into the study of Medicine or to leverage his OND results to seek a university admission into Engineering. After much consideration, he finally decided on Medicine.
Sadly, he lost his Dad in May 1976, at the age of 84.
He got admitted into the College of Medicine, University of Lagos in 1977 and it was during the course of his study that he met this beautiful, spritely medical colleague, Ayodeji, now his wife of 36 years. He completed his medical training in 1982, obtaining the MBBS degree. He had enjoyed the Ogun State Scholarship for the duration of his university education. Having gotten born again in 1972 as an A-levels student at FSS, Philip, popularly called “Broda Sola” displayed unwavering dedication to his faith in Jesus Christ at the University of Lagos, throwing himself into service at the fellowship level.
All campus fellowships were established under the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) at the time, with the Medi-Lag chapter known as the Christian Fellowship Group (CFG). “Brother sola” as he was fondly called by fellow brethren, was a functional part of the fellowship drama group, Gospel on Stage. His music enthusiasm also saw him join the choir as a tenor and bass singer. He served diligently as a member of the evangelism team and as Bible Study secretary for a number of years.
It was also at this time that his long history with the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) began. He happened to be a part of the first set of 19 medical students who attended the then International Conference of Christian Medical Students (ICCMS) conference in the U.K in 1980, returning to become the foundation members of the Fellowship of Christian Medical Students (now CMDA-Students) in Nigeria. He went on to serve as a Bible Study team member and editorial board member of the official FCMSN newsletter at the time.
Known for his activism and unwavering push for justice, Prof. Philip was also the secretary of the then Student Representative Council (SRC) of the medical campus of the University of Lagos. Under their leadership, the medical students took a bold-faced decision to boycott lectures in support of their senior colleagues who went on strike to protest the government’s decision to cancel doctor’s allowances.
After obtaining the M.B. B.S. degree from the University of Lagos, Philip went through the mandatory Medical Internship at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife/Ilesha between 1982 and 1983. Already convinced that Ayodeji was God’s perfect gift to him, they tied the knot at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ilupeju-Ekiti, on September 3rd 1983, the very last day of their internship year.
He went on to serve the nation under the National Youth Service Corps in Agbazilo local government area of the then Bendel State (now Edo state) in 1983/84 where he obtained the Bendel State Merit Award for outstanding community service. He had led the weekly Community Development Service activities (CDS) consistently, giving health talks, and also working as an anatomy dissection instructor at Bendel State University, Ekpoma. He also served actively with the Nigeria Christian Copers’ fellowship (NCCF) during this year and has continued to be an NCCF coordinator helping to induct new executive members in whatever state he lived in.
He wasted no time deciding on the specialty of his desire; Haematology. In January 1985, he was graciously offered a residency training position in Haematology at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where the seed for his clinical, academic and research career was sown, watered and nursed to sprouting. He was a diligent resident with a strong work ethic under the training of Prof. Essien and Prof. Esan.
During his program, he was also an active member of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), first serving as general secretary of the U.C.H chapter, and then rising to the rank of Vice-President of NARD with Dr. Ademola Aderibigbe as President. During his tenure, a significant fight for an increase in doctors’ salaries was embarked upon. Passionate about leadership, he also served as General secretary of the National Medical Association (NMA), Oyo state chapter in 1985.
His academic sojourn in U.C.H culminated in obtaining the Fellowships of the West African College of Physicians in Laboratory Medicine (WACP – Lab. Med.) and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Pathology (FMCPath – Haematology) in1990. By then, his bias for Haemoglobins and Haemoglobinopathy became apparent through his dissertations for both Fellowships. (Haemoglobin A2 and Malaria as well as Haemoglobin F Levels in Steady State and Crisis in sickle cell anaemia patients.)
His quest for a career as a Consultant haematologist and University lecturer led him to Ilorin, Kwara state. This journey began with his appointment as Lecturer I at the University of Ilorin in December, 1990, along with appointment as Honorary Consultant Haematologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. He moved his family to Kwara state, and proceeded to integrate into the University chapel, Chapel of the light.
Opportunity came just two years later for him to firm up his research base and capacity through the award of the Commonwealth Medical Fellowship from the Association of Commonwealth Universities in 1993. This enabled him to pursue a research work at the Central Middlesex Hospital, London, and the Molecular Haematology Laboratory of Oxford University in the United Kingdom for 18 months between January 1993 and June, 1994. This Fellowship laid the foundation for a research and clinical career in the field of Haemoglobinopathies with emphasis on Sickle Cell Disease. Just before this trip, he had to bury his mother who had died following an illness after living with his family for about a year.
On returning to Nigeria, Philip continued in all academic, medical, political and spiritual roles, practising an excellent and dynamic balancing act. At the Chapel of the Light, he had joined the late Engr. Tokunbo Obayan and Bola Obayan in starting the bible study group of the church, an arm which gradually flourished into an essential part of Sunday services. He served on the Bible study committee for many years, becoming Chairman at one time, then eventually served as Chairman of the Chapel Committee, and is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Chapel.
At the same time, he had become a committed member of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMFI), particularly serving at the Ilorin City chapter alongside his wife. Divine appointment, accompanied with an unmatched dedication to service saw him become a Chapter president, then national director, and finally an international director with the fellowship. Being a consultant naturally meant that he was a member of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the teaching hospital. A gifted leader quite hard to ignore, he once again served as secretary to the association, as well as acting Chairman at one time.
In 2000, his penchant for activism and social justice once again led him to becoming the Vice-chairman of the Academic Staff Union of universities with Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju as Chairman. He had been an active member and executive before this time. However, in a historical twist of fate, it was during this tenure as vice-chairman that a strike action taken against the activities of prevailing University of Ilorin authorities by ASUU resulted in a face-off that led to the unjust sacking of 49 members who refused to cower to the threats of the authorities (now known as ‘The Ilorin 49’.) His wife was also sacked. The next 7 years would turn out to be an enormous test of his integrity, character and faith in God.
This victimisation left in its wake the loss of one major source of income, delays and denial of academic promotions, many late-night meetings and several court proceedings. He stood firm throughout this time, often with a smile, a loving heart and an unshakeable trust in God’s provision and vindication. After 6 long years, he felt the urge to move forward and sought employment at the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun state. This employment went through in 2006 alongside a long-deserved academic promotion to Professor of Haematology, ultimately resulting in a relocation to Ogun state with his family.
He continued to support his colleagues at Ilorin, spending long hours on the phone to contribute to strategy that eventually led to a resounding victory in 2007, with a Supreme Court ruling that vindicated all the unjustly sacked lecturers, reinstating their jobs and salaries. This continues to stand as a remarkable and historical victory in the trends of ASUU struggles in Nigeria.
Prof. Philip Olatunji was appointed a Professor of Haematology at the Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2006 on the basis of a record of teaching, research and clinical service in the field of Haematology and Blood Transfusion. He has served on various committees at all levels in the university and he is currently a representative of the Senate on the Appointments and Promotions Committed. He went on to deliver the 64th inaugural lecture at the Olabisi Onabanjo University on 11th of June, 2013 as the first in the faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, and certainly the first in Haematology to ever do so in the University. The lecture was titled “LONGEVITY AND BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE; The Challenge of life with sickling disorder.”
He also served repeatedly as Head of Department of the department of Haematology at Olabisi Onabanjo University teaching hospital, Sagamu, working tirelessly to facilitate accreditation for the commencement of residency training in the department, taking it from non-existent to a current effective team of 4 residents and 2 consultants over the past 13 years. He has also facilitated several innovative improvements to both the structure and function of the department till date.
Prof. Olatunji has served as External Examiner to the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Lagos, University of Uyo, University of Jos among others. He has been involved in the training of several Pathologists and supervised their dissertations. He is a Fellow and an Examiner to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Physicians.
He is a member of professional and scientific societies which include:
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Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
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Association of Pathologists of Nigeria (ASSOPON)
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Nigerian Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NSHBT)
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African Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT).
He has served as a board member of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, 1st Vice-chairman of West African Society of Haematology and blood transfusion, Chairman of the Regional (ECOWAS) Research and Ethics Committee of the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion and is currently the President of the College of Pathologists of Nigeria. He has co-published a handbook for medical laboratory students, and written another on practical health tips titled “You and your health.”
At the time of his retirement from active academic duties, he has over 80 academic publications in both national and international journals, has attended and presented at scientific scholarly conferences in Europe and Africa and currently sits on the board of a number of faith-based and professional organisations. About a year ago, he started “The Wisdom Dialogue”, a monthly meeting designed to bring together the younger generation and the older to share and learn from one another under one roof.
He is married to Dr. Mrs. Ayodeji Anike Olatunji, a Radiologist, in marital bliss that’s 36 years strong and they are blessed with three children, Jesutominsin, Oloruntobiloba, and Oluwatooni, as well as a grandchild, Olaoluwakiitan.
Professor P. O Olatunji has lived an undoubtedly rich and full life so far, not at all devoid of great obstacles but beautifully punctuated with significant victories over every single one. A wise counsellor and mentor to many, he is a high achiever, a dogged visionary, an erudite scholar, a patient leader, an empathetic and dexterous physician, a man of peerless integrity and sturdy character, and a dynamic teacher of medicine, as well as the word of God. He remains, by all means, a SAGE AT SEVENTY!
