Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi
Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi, MBE, OFR (née Akerele, 1910–14 September 1971) was the first woman to practise as a physician 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]
Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi | |
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Born | 1910 |
Died | 14 September 1971 60–61) | (aged
Nationality | Nigerian |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Physician |
Known for |
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Relatives |
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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
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Iya Abiye of Lagos
- Iyalaje of Oyo Empire
- Nigerian National Honor – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
References
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- Ojewusi 1996, p. 283.
- Lagos Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Organisation (2000). Mobilising for Action. Dedun Educational Books, Indiana University. p. 47. ISBN 9789788013037.
- Musliu Olaiya Anibaba (2003). A Lagosian of the 20th century: an autobiography. Tisons Limited. ISBN 9789783557116.
- Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh (2004). Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education. Mike Social Press, 2004. p. 97.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- 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.