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Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi

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Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi
MBE, OFR
Born1910
Lagos
Died14 September 1971(1971-09-14) (aged 60–61)
NationalityNigerian
Alma mater
OccupationPhysician
Known for
Relatives
  • S. O. Awoliyi (husband)
  • Olatunji Awoliyi (son)

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi, MBE, OFR (née Akerele, 1910–14 September 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, Elizabeth 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 honors, 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] In 1962, she was appointed as a senior specialist gynaecologist and obstetrician by the Federal Ministry of Health.[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]

Elizabeth 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

Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi died on 14 September 1971 at the age of 61.[2]

Awards and honours

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Tabitha Admin (12 March 2015). "Celebrating African Women in Medicine". Tabitha Medical Center. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  3. ^ "CAS Students to Lead Seminar On University's African Alumni, Pt. IV: Agnes Yewande Savage". CAS from the Edge. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  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 (12 March 2015). "Celebrating African Women in Medicine". Tabitha Medical Center. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  9. ^ Awoliyi, Tunji (18 November 2006). Return to Life - Tunji Awoliyi - Google Books. ISBN 9789781261916. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  10. ^ Ezeh, Godwin Chukwuemeka (2004). "Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education - Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh - Google Books". Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Dr Abimbola Awoliyi Memorial Hospital in 183,Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria | VConnect™". Vconnect.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b 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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