Biography - Professor Boniface Olubunmi Atanda George
(B. Olu George)

Professor Boniface Olubunmi Atanda George was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 6th October 1936 to Pa (Sir) Anthony Idowu George, a Chief Stock Verifier at the defunct Nigerian Railway Corporation, and Mrs Florence Ajoke George (nee Orishaguna), a trader (aka Iya Odan).

He was the first of six (6) siblings followed by Muyiwa George (of blessed memory), Funke Oluwole, Bopo Ishola-Lemomu, Ayo George (of blessed memory) and Soji George.

He attended Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos and St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos for his primary and secondary education. He was part of the Gregorians 1949-1954 (G49) set, and was a keen cricketer whilst at St Gregory’s College. 

He started his medical training at the University of Ibadan, before proceeding to the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin between 1957 - 1963 where he achieved the qualification of LRCP&SI (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ireland). 

He obtained his post graduate qualification (MRCP) in general medicine  and practiced as a Cardiologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast.

He got married to Dr. Funmilayo George (nee Kuforiji), and their union was blessed with Olusola George and Olumide George of blessed memory.

Prof. George later married Dr. Nana George (nee Bordoh), and their union is blessed with Modupe Heitz, Omowunmi Falomo, and Olufemi George.

After his return from abroad Prof. George joined the services of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) and worked in the Department of Cardiology, where he rose to the position of Consultant, Head of Cardiology unit and Head Department of Medicine College of Medicine, University of Lagos.  He also served as Chairman Medical Advisory Committee of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

He was pivotal in the establishment of the first state-owned medical school in Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye) where he served as the Foundation Deputy Provost of the College.

Together with the late Prof Olumide he also worked to establish the College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)

Prof. George later worked at the King Abdul Aziz hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia until he retired before returning home to consult in various capacities.

He was an erudite scholar and in the words of many ‘a true gentleman’.  He touched the lives of countless people profoundly.

He was a devout Catholic and an active member of the Catholic Friendly Society (CFS) of the Catholic Diocese of Lagos until his death.

Prof. George died on Tuesday, 13th April 2021.

He was popularly called ‘Daddy Belfast’ due to the time he spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews who will all miss him greatly.

May his dear soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

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Oríkì (Praise poetry - songs of praise and identity of the lineage)

Atanda,

Omo Akija, m’oro m’auleje

Omo kikan ti n’mu duru fohun

Orun re e.

Sun re o.