CHIEF DR. EDMUND ABIOLA AKINOCHO
(written by Eamon Akinosho with words and stories from Dad)
Thanks be to God for His Love, Kindness, Grace and Blessings and Glory be to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Dad was born on a quiet, dull evening of 18th February 1933 in Dr Akinola Maja 's hospital-Garber Square at lta Akanni, Lagos.
His mother, Susannah Adenike - Miss King, had Sierra Leonean parentage but grew up and married in Lagos. She was a teacher, seamstress and a firm, no-nonsense mother at home. She brought up all her children with all firmness, to be obedient and hard-working. But she died, at the age of Fifty-five years. Dad was just about 11 years old. A very active boy at church events and very domesticated.
He attended lesson -'adugbo', was a choir boy at church, member of the Boy's Brigade and Boy's scout. This was the story until he was transferred to the kindergarten school of Baptist Academy in Broad Street, Lagos. In front of the school on the other side of the road was the building of the Government press where his father worked.
His father was a very unassuming man from the Republic of Benin. He was very fatherly, most friendly, articulate and smart with tribal marks. The identity of his marks was from the Royal household of Oyo. He was a printer, worked in the Government press and became the Superintendent of press on retirement from service in 1936. He was devoted to dad, guiding his path and decisions as he advanced in age. He lived till the age of 93 years.
Dad remembers being near to his office was an advantage because at break time; he would cross over from school to his father’s office to have his lunch break which was always packed in his father’s lunch box.
Things changed very quickly for Dad after his mum died in 1944. He was then at the mercy of his sisters and father. In 1946 he was transferred to Abeokuta Grammar School and stayed on there until 1951when he left school. The Principal of the school was late Reverend I.O. Ransome Kuti - a disciplinarian of the highest order. It was not easy for him to settle down quickly but he enjoyed it.
According to Dad, the science Classes were available with very high standards; the school had Dr S.O. Awokoya and the twin brothers, the Oyewoles in charge. They were first-class science teachers.
The study of Science meant so much to him because he always wanted to be a Medical Doctor since 'age 5'. It got up to a stage where during his playtime, he would look for frogs and lizards to play with, kill and dissect and later throw them away when smell and decay set in. He got punished for this on several occasions.
In 1951, Dad left school as his father wanted it that he should have "a taste of another life." He was selected to attend an interview and took a test at the Department of Marketing and Exports, lkoyi, Lagos. He got the job as a third-class clerk in accounts and within a short period, he made rapid progress and enjoyed the work as he made new friends.
He spent most evenings at the Science evening classes in King's College, Lagos and Onikan Centre. On non-school days, he would go swimming and play Squash. After about two years, he resigned from work to prepare for his journey abroad. In 1953 it was planned for Dad to meet his sister, Elfrida at the end of her studies in London; and while she returned home, he was to stay on for training for whatever he had chosen. He arrived in London and was well-received by his sister. They were lived in Hampstead, North London.
According to Dad, In the 50's it was like "a hard nut to crack" getting into a Medical School. One would need to pass Science at advanced levels, attend a competitive interview and rely on God's grace to enter. Dad was aware of all these difficulties, so he became fervent in prayers, fasting and praying by the hour. Again, in his thoughts was the family concern at home that he would not get into Medical school and that they had no certain financial means to keep him going. He kept up the spirit; lo and behold a letter came in announcing his admission into School of Surgery-Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin in 1954.
According to Dad, the College resumed in October on a dull early winter day; but the atmosphere was stimulating. He made new friends and settled to work. The atmosphere remained challenging and heavy laden with work. The first-year exams came and the results were encouraging. He had passed with 1st class honours in Biology and 2nd honours in Chemistry. This made the college appoint him Student Demonstrator in the two subjects with payment monthly, for services and with that, adding to the small stipend from home, he became financially strong and confident.
Coincidentally, his wife, Dr. Babafunke (late) was a student in his group. They had met her at the time and later married and had four children. In subsequent years, he passed with honours, respectively in Ophthalmology and Psychology.
Dad was very active in the Rowing Club, and other College societies such as the Biological and Dramatic groups.
In 1961 he completed his Medical Training, passed out to begin the house jobs - which extended to 3 years after which he started his training in Ophthalmology at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dublin. His Professional father was Mr. Somerville Large who supervised Dad’s movements to other centres on the continent of Europe and London.
After working in different Departments of the hospital and between the High Holborn and Old Street Hospital Branches, Dad took the Diploma final exams and passed out in 1964.
His father was so excited, he had exclaimed “Biola had gone, Biola became a Doctor as he promised and Biola has returned home. He said he would do it and he did it! “
Dad returned home in 1965 and then established himself in the profession and this took 1965-70 and for the second part of his homecoming in 1970-2008. He acquired all the International touches and exposures with all modesty. He was employed - Medical officer, Special Grade - Ophthalmology- into the Eye Clinic, General Hospital, Lagos. Dad had indicated that everything was made so difficult in there, but he enjoyed his work. During that time, Dr Akinola Pearce was the Chief, then Dr Odulate (late) and Dr Akinsete were the other Consultants.
In late 1966, Prof Orishajolomi invited Dad to lecture Ophthalmology at the Lagos Teaching Hospital and he did this for some time before transferring his services to the Nigerian Army. Dr Austin Peters - the Director of Medical Service in the Armed Forces invited him to join ranks and serve in the Nigerian Army. He was in the Office ranked Major but worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before being discharged.
He was actively involved in conducting an examination of wounded soldiers, sorting them out for cosmetic repairs in Benin, Kaduna, Kano, and at the Military Hospital Lagos. As the war was coming to an end, Dad arranged his discharge from the Army to accept a Commonwealth Scholarship, where he travelled to Canada - University of Toronto and the USA for more advanced training in Ophthalmology. His second homecoming was 1970 - 2008. His long journey enabled him to acquire the listed qualifications. In Dad’s own words, a long journey that had a blessed end.
He was the immediate past Chairman of the Board of governors and a member of the Board of Trustees at the Eye Bank for Restoring Sight for Nigeria.
Dad in his later years was very socially active and loved to hang out with some of his friends including Dr. Bolaji Ajenifuja, Lawyer S.B. Joseph, Dr Bucknor, Mr. De Souza & Professor Duncan, at the Yoruba Tennis and Metropolitan Club. He was a member of the Solidra club.
Dad’s Prayer @ 80th Birthday:
O God, my Creator, today my heart is full of praise and thanks to you for all your mercies to me, my family and my friends.
I thank you, Lord for accepting me as I am; for having Jesus in my life and I ask for the forgiveness of my sins.
Grant, I beseech you O Lord that my life may continue to glorify you and testify to your matchless Love and overcoming power in Jesus name I have prayed. Amen!
Dad is survived by his children:
Siobhan Elyon, Ayo Harriman, Eamon Labode Akinosho, Grace (Pepi) Orimalade & Enitan (Dayo) Oyenuga.
ACQUISITIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
L.R.C.P.I., L.R.C.S.I., L.M. (1961)
D.0. (1965)
M.D. (1970)
F.M.C.S. (1971)
F.R.C.S.- (PRIMARY)
F.I.A.C.S. (1974) (INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF COSMETIC SURGERY).
F.W.A.C.S. (1979) (FELLOW OF WEST AFRICA COLLEGE OF SURGEONS)
F.R.C. OPTH. (1989) (FELLOW OF ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
F.R.S.M. (1992) (FELLOW OF ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE, ENGLAND).
SPECIALIZED COURSES
1967: Early In - Practice Attended Courses for Uveitis, Cryosurgery Charles University, Prague.
1968: Clinical Ophthalmic Pathology, Trieng Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
1969: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto & Toronto General Hospital, Research Fellow.
1970: Commonwealth Fellow.
1970: Corneal Surgery (Diploma) Brooklyn Eye Hospital New York, USA;Prof. Ruzzuti.
1970: Ophthalmic Pathology (Diploma) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. Prof. Zimmerman.
1971: Post Graduate, University of Edinburg, Scotland.
1971: Industrial Ophthalmology, Birmingham Eye Hospital England.
1972: Advanced Course in Ophthalmology, University of London (Institute of Ophthalmology).
1989: Advanced Course in Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore.
1995: Advanced Teaching Course in Ophthalmology, Singapore.
1996: Conference of American Academy of Ophthalmologist, Atlanta, USA.
1997: Congress of Royal College of Ophthalmologist, Glasgow, Scotland.
1999: Eye Symposium, Cleveland Ohio.
1999: Conference of American Academy of Ophthalmologist, Florida,USA.
Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology: The Control of Corneal Graft Reaction, By Topical Application of Antimitotic agents (Tio-Tepa, Colchicine), 6,109, 1971.
Ocular Mucoid Depletion in Hypervitaminosis.
An Unusual Orbital Tumor-Case Report; 6 153: 1971.
CHIEFTANCY TITLES
1995: Bawosan of lkorodu (Ayangburen of lkorodu).
1996: Tojuse of Owu.
2010: Grand Command of Christian of Faith (African Church, Diocese) Ibadan.
