Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi
Born 1910
Lagos
Died 14 September 1971(1971-09-14) (aged 60–61)
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater
Occupation Physician
Known for

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (née Akerele, 1910–1971) was the first female physician to practice in Nigeria.[1] She was also the first West African woman to earn a license of Royal Surgeon in Dublin.[1][2] In 1938, Awoliyi became the second West African woman to qualify as an orthodox-medicine trained physician after Agnes Yewande Savage who graduated from medical school in 1929.[3] She was the second president of the National Council of Women's Societies of Nigeria from 1964 until her death in 1971.[4]

Life

She was born in Lagos to the family of David and Rufina Akerele.[1] She commenced her education at St. Mary's Catholic School, Lagos from where she proceeded to Queen's College, Lagos.[5] She earned her medical degree in 1938 from the University of Dublin, Cafreys College.[6][7][8] She graduated from Dublin with first class honours, including a medal in Medicine and distinction in Anatomy. She became the first West African woman to be awarded a licentiate of Royal Surgeon in Dublin.[1][2] She was a member of the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology and a Diplomate of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.[1][2]

She returned to Nigeria and became a gynaecologist and junior medical officer at the Massey Street Hospital Lagos. She later became a chief consultant and Medical Director at that hospital, holding the latter position from 1960 through 1969.[2] Also, the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria appointed her as a senior specialist gynaecologist and obstetrician in 1962.[2]

Some of her awards are: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), Iya Abiye of Lagos, Iyalaje of Oyo Empire, and Nigerian National Honor – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).[2]

The novel Return to Life, by her son Tunji Awoliyi, is dedicated to her.[9]

She is mentioned in "Chapter Six: Nigerian Heroines of the 20th Century" in the book Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education, by Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh.[10]

Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi Memorial Hospital is located in Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.[11]

Awoliyi dabbled in private enterprise – owning a 27- acre poultry and orange farm in Agege, Lagos and becoming director of the commercial medical store in Lagos.[2]

NCWS

Awoliyi was the pioneer president of the Lagos branch of the National Council of Women Societies and a member of the national committee of the organization.[12] As a member, she contributed to various policies and activities of the women's organization. She negotiated for the gift of a national headquarters located at Tafawa Balewa Square and was a consultant to the organization's family planning clinic which later became the planned parenthood federation of Nigeria.[12] she succeeded Kofo Ademola as the second president of the NCWS in 1964.

Leadership and philanthropy[2]

  • Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos where she became the first president of the Holy Cross Parish Women Council.
  • Motherless babies Home Governing Council
  • Business and Professional Women’s Association (president)
  • Child Care Voluntary Association (President)
  • Lagos Colony Red Cross
  • National Council of Women’s Society (Also became the first President of the Lagos branch)

Personal life

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi was married to physician, Dr. S.O. Awoliyi and had two children; a son and a daughter.[2] Her husband died in 1965. Dr Abimbola Awoliyi died on 14 September 1971, she was 61 years old.[2]

Awards and honours

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Yinka Vidal (4 March 2015). How to Prevent the Spread of Ebola: Effective Strategies to Reduce Hospital Acquired Infections. Lara Publications Inc. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-0-9640818-8-8. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tabitha Admin (2015-03-12). "Celebrating African Women in Medicine". Tabitha Medical Center. Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  3. ↑ "CAS Students to Lead Seminar On University's African Alumni, Pt. IV: Agnes Yewande Savage". CAS from the Edge. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  4. ↑ Ojewusi 1996, p. 283.
  5. ↑ Lagos Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Organisation (2000). Mobilising for Action. Dedun Educational Books, Indiana University. p. 47. ISBN 9789788013037.
  6. ↑ Musliu Olaiya Anibaba (2003). A Lagosian of the 20th century: an autobiography. Tisons Limited. ISBN 9789783557116.
  7. ↑ Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh (2004). Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education. Mike Social Press, 2004. p. 97.
  8. ↑ Tabitha Admin (2015-03-12). "Celebrating African Women in Medicine". Tabitha Medical Center. Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  9. ↑ "Return to Life - Tunji Awoliyi - Google Books". Books.google.com. 2006-11-18. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  10. ↑ "Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education - Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh - Google Books". Books.google.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  11. ↑ "Dr Abimbola Awoliyi Memorial Hospital in 183,Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria | VConnect™". Vconnect.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  12. 1 2 Ojewusi 1996, p. 288.

Sources

    • Ojewusi, Sola (1996). Speaking for Nigerian women: (a history of the National Council of Women's Societies, Nigeria). Abuja: All State Pub. and Print. Co.
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