A Tribute from the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
What shall we say unto the Lord, the giver of all good gifts? All we have to say is thank you, Lord!
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone of Professor Olufunso Oladele Famuyiwa turning 80, it is with great admiration and heartfelt gratitude that I pen this tribute. Professor Famuyiwa stands as an inspiring figure for us all in our academic community because he embodies the ideals of approachability, candid expression, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He is everything we strive for and even more.
Professor Famuyiwa was my teacher, and he was a teacher with a difference, for as a young student, I found it was easier to approach him. His approachability promoted an environment where learning thrived, and where students felt empowered to speak their minds and express their ideas freely. Truly, he was more than a teacher. Over the years, he has become a mentor to many, guiding his erstwhile countless students and colleagues with wisdom and generosity.
He is also a builder. Professor Famuyiwa's retirement from active practice has not diminished his passion for excellence or his desire to see things work. Instead, he has redirected his energy towards initiatives that continue to impact our community positively. For instance, he has been very invested in my administration as Provost. I can spotlight his tireless efforts in supporting and spreading the gospel of projects such as the Sponsor-A-Student Programme and the Hostel Project.
Professor Famuyiwa has consistently shown his commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others and revealed his dedication to the advancement of our community. More so, even on this occasion of his birthday, he has requested for all gifts to be turned into cash donations that will be going into supporting prison ministries, juvenile correction centres, and orphanages. The details of the account donation are right after my tribute.
I have also taken the liberty to reshare his speech during the Living Legend event last year at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, which he delivered via Zoom. This speech is particularly significant at this time because it touched on how the relationship between the College of Medicine and the University College Hospital came out of the shared history of exceptionalism and why that history and trait must now be sustained. The full Living Legend event can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GEXZPY1Ndo with his speech from time caps of 1:18:20 – 1:46:04. We have extracted his speech from this event for your viewing pleasure here.
In celebrating Professor Olufunso Oladele Famuyiwa at 80, we honour a living legend whose contributions to scholarship, mentorship, and community development have left an indelible legacy. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, let us be inspired by his example and continue to strive for excellence in all that we do.
Happy 80th birthday, Professor Famuyiwa – Teacher of Teachers, Living Legend, Mentor, and an Outstanding Academic. May your days ahead be filled with continued blessings, fulfilment, and the joy of knowing that your impact on our community will endure for generations to come. Amen.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Olayinka Omigbodun FAS
Professor of Psychiatry & Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
Full Profile of Olufunso Oladele Oladapo (Isola) Famuyiwa, MB;BS, FWACP, FACP, FACE – Professor of Medicine and Consultant Internist & Endocrinologist (Rtd)
Olufunso Oladele Oladapo (Isola) Famuyiwa was born on April 2nd, 1944, at Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He was Baptized into the Christian Faith at Wesley College Methodist Chapel, Elekuro, Ibadan.
Professor Famuyiwa is a towering figure in the field of medicine, particularly in internal medicine and endocrinology. His journey through life has been marked by a commitment to excellence, service to humanity, and a deep-rooted dedication to his faith and community.
Background, Early Life and Education
Olufunso Famuyiwa was born to the late Oladapo Famuyiwa family. His father, the Late Oladapo Famuyiwa, hailed from the Ayeko Family of Ifosan Quarters, Ilesa. He held the position of High Chief (Lejoka of Ilesa), being fifth in line to the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land. He passed away in January 1988 at the age of 73 years. His mother, Late Victoria Kikelomo Famuyiwa, hailed from the Adeepo Family of Labo-Elekuro, Ibadan. She was a pioneering figure, being one of the first Ibadan indigenes to undergo nursing training. She lived a remarkable life, passing away on July 9th, 2016, at the impressive age of 100 years.
His formative years were shaped by a strong academic foundation laid at Native Authority Practicing School and Government College, Apata Ganga, Ibadan. His Secondary education was at Government College, Apata Ganga, Ibadan from 1958 to 1964. He was a member of the School Soccer Teams from Class 1 to Upper 6.
For his Tertiary Education, he attended the University of Ibadan Medical School from 1965 to 1970. He was a Leverhulme Scholar and was seconded to University College Hospital London in the Summer of 1969 as an Exchange Student. He graduated MB, BS, Ibadan in June 1970 with a Distinction in Surgery.
Medical Career and Achievements
Dr. Famuyiwa's career in medicine spans over four decades and three continents. After completing his medical education, he pursued postgraduate residency and fellowship training in the United States, specializing in internal medicine and endocrinology. He became one of the first four Nigerians to be board-certified in Endocrinology & Metabolism, an incredible and significant milestone in his career.
Throughout his career, Dr. Famuyiwa practiced and taught medicine in various countries, including Nigeria, the Middle East, and North America. His contributions to medical education and clinical practice earned him the title of Professor of Medicine at Ogun State University. In 2011, after 41 years of dedicated service, he retired from clinical practice.
Post-Retirement Activities
After Retirement, he has resided for the most part in Nigeria where he has engaged in several Vocations, notably:
- Health Awareness Campaigns in Churches and Communities with emphasis on Non-communicable Diseases and Preventive Health Care
- Advocacy for improvement in the Standard and Quality of Medical Education with emphasis on Diaspora-Homeland collaboration and the use of Internet based Portals.
- Development and Progress of Yoruba Land in All ramifications, through Peaceful processes of Intellectual engagement, Discourse and Networking.
- Passionate engagement with Prison Ministry at Agodi, Ibadan, since 2013.
- Church-related Activities - As a “A New Person in Christ”, and to the Glory of God, over the years these have included : Being an Usher and Eucharistic Home Visitor at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, York, PA; Member of PCC, Bishop Odutola Memorial Anglican Church (BOMAC), Olubadan Estate, New Ife Road, Ibadan; Bishop’s Nominee, Olubadan Archdeaconry, Ibadan Anglican Diocese and Patron, 129th Company of Boys’ Brigade, BOMAC.
Personal Life
On December 29th, 1973, Prof. Famuyiwa married Olufunke Oreoluwa Alade, and their union has been blessed with four children and seven grandchildren, with more on the way.
Professor Olufunso Oladele Oladapo Famuyiwa's life and career exemplify a profound commitment to excellence, service, and community. His legacy in medicine, education, and community development continues to inspire generations, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Professor Funso & Funke Famuyiwa with their daughter, Oyinkansola
Some family time – Professor Famuyiwa in an outing with granddaughter
Professor Famuiywa paying a visit to Medical School Classmate
Professor Dupe Onadeko recently
Prof. Famuyiwa hosting two Medical School Classmates,
Onnuola Adewunmi and Dupe Onadeko
From L-R: NA Practicing School Classmates: Bode Falomo,
Segun Ojosipe-Isaac & Funso Famuyiwa
