MOST of the people that were privileged to pass through the early front-line Nigerian teacher training colleges and later gained admission to the university were exceptionally brilliant students. Professor Babatunde Adelusi is among the few scholars in this category who turned out to become the first medical doctor in his Ifaki-Ekiti home town. He does not only stand out as an academic of note in medicine but remains a distinguished international professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Professor Adelusi was born in Ifaki-Ekiti on June 30thin 1939 to Christian parents: Pa Abraham Oluyemi Adelusi (circa 1900-1984) and Madam Dorcas Esan Adelusi, nee Fayemi (circa 1990-1974). Baba Abraham Adelusi was a Methodist Catechist who served in Iloko, Ilupeju-Ekiti and environs. The grandfather of the professor, Pa David Adelusi was among the three Ifaki indigenes that were instrumental to how Methodist mission got to Ifaki in the early 20thcentury.
He is a product of the famous Wesley College, Ibadan which he attended between 1956 and 1960 after passing his Standard Six at Methodist Primary School, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1955. He graduated from the University of Ibadan with Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB, BS) in June 1967. He later obtained Certificate of Immunology from University of Ibadan in September 1973, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) from University of Ibadan in 1976 and Doctor of Medicine in 1983 from University of Ibadan. Between 1979 and 1980 he attended Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, USA. His scholarships and prizes include being a scholar of Federal Republic of Germany in 1964 to 1967 for medicine and University of Ibadan postgraduate scholarship for medicine in 1972.
His postgraduate professional qualifications include: Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in June 1985, Fellow (New York) Academy of Sciences in February 1982, Fellow of the International College of Surgeons in October 1977, Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons in 1976, Fellow of the Medical College in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Nigeria) in September 1975 and member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in January 1972.
To his credit are the following honors and distinctions: Member of American Fertility Society in December 1984, Fellow of the Biographical Association in January 1983, Fogarty International Research Fellowship of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA in 1979-1980, World Health Organisation Fellowship for postgraduate studies in Immunovirology of Cancer, Lyon, France in 1974, Rockefeller postgraduate medical research training fellowship in 1973 to 1974 and university of Ibadan postgraduate medical research training in 1972 to 1973.
Prof is a member of reputable learned societies which include The Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, The Nigeria Medical Association, The United Kingdom Royal Society of Medicine, The Nigerian Society for Immunology, The Nigerian Cancer Society, The Nigerian Society for Endoscopy, The New York Academy of Science, The Royal the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of United Kingdom, American Fertility Society, International Biographers Association, Riyadh Obstetrics and Gynecology Club and Riyadh Perinatology Club.
Until his retirement from active medical practice and teaching, he worked as a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and gynecologist at King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia in 1987 to early 1990s. His previous teaching appointments since 1971 included working as a Resident in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Lewisham Hospital, London as a research fellow (1971-1972); and from lecturer in 1975 to professor in 1980 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Ibadan. Some of his other clinical calls included serving as the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Research and Training, University of Ibadan College of Medicine in 1986, Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan University College Hospital (UCH) in 1980 to 1987; Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, UCH in 1976 to 1980 and Lecturer in 1975 to 1976. Prior to this he worked as Senior House Officer in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Lewisham Hospital, London in 1970; Senior House Officer in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the District Hospital, Peterborough, England in 1969 to 1971 and Senior House Officer in Medicine and Surgery, UCH Ibadan in 1968 to 1969. All along he was running consultation clinics in the Special Treatment Clinic for the female patients with STD, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. He contributed chapters to over six various books on medicine; chapters to 5 different proceedings, two monographs to his credit over 90 articles published in learned journals.
Professor Tunde Adelusi first met his heartthrob, Dr Mrs Remi Iyabo Adelusi (nee Adeyemi) an adorable fellow Ifaki-Ekiti indigene in 1957 at Ibadan in his Wesley College, Ibadan days. They cultivated lasting friendship when providence brought them together again at University of Ibadan as undergraduates. Long vacation job brought the two of them together at Ifaki in 1963 which further gave them the opportunity to nurture their friendship and he got married to his beautiful wife on January 30th 1966 and God blessed the marriage with four fruitful children. Theirs was an imitable couple to behold considering how they bonded and did things together to the admiration of their loved until death did separate them when Mrs Iyabo Adelusi passed-on in 1995.
Prof Adelusi is a passionate Ifaki-Ekiti man who always shows interest in the progress of his community. He and some of his kinsmen and contemporaries established Ifaki Club 75 in 1975. They set good example for the younger ones to follow by coming together as clubs to promote socio-economic development activities for the upliftment of their Jerusalem. As far back as 1979 he served as the National Secretary of Ifaki Progressive Union. Up till now he responds to any clarion call from the community whenever his attention or input is needed on matters of communal interest. I took special note of how he respected my parents and was always stopping over to see them anytime he came to Ifaki in their lifetime, coupled with the love he shows us the children. It gives me great pleasure to do this write-up to celebrate an uncle I have always admired all along as a little boy up till today. He makes me comfortable around him and as such I look forward to spending time with him in his Ibadan residence.
His family members, other relations and friends will gather on August 3rd, 2019 at Methodist Church, Bodija Ibadan for a thanksgiving service and hold a grand reception for him thereafter at University of Ibadan Conference Centre. As he turns 80 on June 30, 2019, my prayer is that God will grant him more years in good health and the grace to continue to inspire his kinsmen.
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