PROFESSOR P. O. OLATUNJI: MY OGA THROUGH MY EYES

On this day, 20th of May, 2020, which marks the 70th birthday and hence the formal retirement of Prof. P.O. Olatunji from Public Service, I delightfully join all well-wishers to congratulate and Celebrate “my teacher”. I note that I occupy a unique and privileged position in that I am Professor Olatunji’s own first fully trained Haematologist. I first encountered him in late 1991. In 1992, he processed my admission into the Residency training program within 3 months. He immediately gave me a structured schedule to work with. In exactly 24 months, I was through with the Part-1 level of studies. His target for me was to complete the Part-2 examinations by 1996. That did not come to be until 1998 because of the peculiar choice of the associated research work as well as the lack of appropriate equipment at that time. Prof. Olatunji is a devoted Pathologist, Clinician, a Medical Teacher per excellence, a living proof teacher of the Word of God, as well as a public administrator. Throughout my time with him, I saw, felt and imbibed a number of qualities from him. He is excellent at multitasking, critical in thinking, a proselyte of the Medical Academia demanding equity and justice at all times. Prof. Olatunji is hardworking and no member of his team could resist the culture of ’Hard work to eliminate hard life’. He has a peculiarly broad base of knowledge in many spheres of Science and Humanities and he brings these to bear in his conversations and decision making. A unique attribute of “Oga” Olatunji which you cannot miss is his zeal to uphold the TRUTH and to do the RIGHT THING on the first occasion. Indeed, if it is the truth and the correct thing to do, he will not be deterred. He is sure to be firm, persistent and not renege. In my considered opinion of him, the addition of the rare qualities of Openness, Transparency and Sincerity to the above are the roots of Prof. Olatunji’s Courageousness, Boldness and Doggedness. These are in turn the foundation of his Administrative Sagacity and Comradeship. Prof. Olatunji accepts the repercussions, if any, for his rectitude. He labored hard for his team members to build confidence in one another with mutual trust. He took the cares for his staff in Ilorin to the family level. He took us into his home and sought after our wellbeing in our low estates. To me, he was both a Professional and a Spiritual Discipler. The capstone to all of Prof. Olatunji’s attributes is his profound FEAR FOR GOD! His bottom line in all things is guarded by a tenacious quest for Holiness, righteousness, genuine consecration to God with no offense to any man. There is therefore a golden cloak of Humility which he wears; and I bet you only those who are themselves humble can see. Prof. Olatunji sir, your person influenced and me immensely. You showed me the path to being a sound Haematologist. I am proud of this. Just last January my resident doctors returned from the series of revision courses glowing with joy that my own teacher has also taught them lessons in Blood Transfusion. You taught me hard work. As your resident doctor, my passive contact with your administrative style formed part of my foundation in health service Management. In 1998, you chaired my wedding reception in Ogbomoso, you prayed and prophesied passionately into my family’s life and today my family is thoroughly blessed. In 2005, after the undesirable and unnecessary tussle for the seat of the Medical Director at the F.M.C, Bida, for which I was appointed; a cross section of the body of Christ in Ilorin was hurt. You summoned me to your office in Ilorin. Your words, actions and prayers that afternoon offered me the horn of Oil which I needed for the job. We have since done a good job there judging by popular community testimonies. Prof. P.O. Olatunji, Sir, I am glad to testify now and always that you are our Professional Mentor, grand Teacher and Discipler. You are my good example and as you formally retire from scheduled services, our good God shall remember you and reward you abundantly. PLEASE DO NOT HANG THE STETHOSCOPE YET SIR: WE NEED YOU. THE UNIVERSITIES NEED YOU, THE POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL COLLEGES NEED YOU AND THE ENTIRE HEALTH SECTOR IN NIGERIA NEED YOU. Dr Okuku, Alaba George Mb;bs, Fmc,path Consultant S.G.I