Prof. Babatunde Osotomehin FAS, OON (1949-2017): The passage the Global Health Ambassador- a monumental loss for NMA. 

The President, National Officers' Committee (NOC) and the entire members of Nigerian Medical Association join the immediate family, the governments of Ogun State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the entire global health community to mourn the passage of Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin FAS, OON, unto eternity. He was until his the death the 4th Executive Director UNFPA & Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2011 till date. 

 

Prof Osotimehin a renowned clinical consultant, refined medical lecturer and professor who imparted knowledge to many at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, visionary healthcare administrator and international health manager would be greatly missed for the roles he played as professor and head of department of chemical pathology at the University college hospital Ibadan and University of Ibadan; National Postgraduate Medical College; the Nigerian Academy of Sciences and several other international postgraduate medical institutions, Chair of the National Action Committee on AIDS between 2002 and 2007 and later Director-General of the Nigerian National Agency for the Control of AIDS and Hon. Minister of Health Federal Republic of Nigeria December 2008 — March 2010, amongst several many positions he held at various times. More importantly, the late Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin would be missed for his innovative thinking, strategic engagement and passionate delivery of his several life's goals including Protecting the Rights to health of women and girls especially in family planning & population matters; Strategic planning and effective program implementation to deliver on health outcomes leading to the production and implementation of the 1st ever National Strategic Health Development Plan 2009-2015: 

 

Harmonious industrial relationships in the public health sector and improved conditions of service leading to approval and implementation of special salary systems for all health workers in 2009 and virile pro-development and non-combative medical activism. In consideration of the life achievements of the great son of Africa, the Nigeria Medical Association on Tuesday April 18, 2017, honoured him in a well attended occasion in Abuja with the award of NMA GLOBAL HEALTH AMBASSADOR. His keynote address and acceptance speech clearly enunciated his vision and expectation of partnerships that make the world a better place to live through accountable reproductive 

 

We did not know that will be his last official engagement with NMA. We lament that his dreams of aligning UNPFA activities to the implementation of the NMA STARTEGIC PLAN 2017-2022 and commitment towards assisting NMA to meet the yearning aspirations of Nigerians may no longer be fulfilled. 

 

NMA though heart broken, commits to fulfilling the desires of our noble elder and mentor as contained in his acceptance speech. We promise to give with UNFPA and other partners to actualise his dream of having a world that would be safe for young girls to live in; and in which women would not die needlessly trying to give birth and have choices while fulfilling their reproductive career. The Association would participate actively in the activities leading to a befitting burial to the world's no. 1 advocate for the health of girls and women. 

 

A condolence register has been opened for him at NMA HQ Office, 8 Benghazi Street, off Addis Ababa Crescent, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. 

 

May the Almighty God grant his immediate family, the global health community and the Nigerian People the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. 

 

Prof. Mike 0. Ogirima President 

Dr.Yusuf Tanko Sununu Secretary General