He believes strongly that free and effective  healthcare delivery is vital to the growth of any country. Born into a practising Catholic family of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Oyepo Odumuyiwa of Ile Oosa Itaakun, Ikire, on the 26th of July, 1940, as the third child,his growing up years showed early signs of a

After passing out brillliantly with 10 distinctions, out of 15 subjects, in the final medical examination (Arzliche Priifung), in Germany, he got his  MBBS in 1969. His excellent result made him a toast of employers in Germany and he was employed as a ‘House man’ at St. Vinzenzo Hospital, Hazelulle, Northern Germany.

He was privileged to be a registered medical practitioner in Germany, a feat that was not common then. At home, in Nigeria, he rose to become the Director of Medical and Health Services at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and was a member of the Oyo State Health Management Board. He was also a member of the pioneer committee that started the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso; pioneering member, Osun State Sports Council; was a member of the Osun State Health Board and a part-time lecturer, German Language, OAU. The former Registrar of Medicine/Paedriatics Department, UCH, Ibadan, who later became the Founder/Medical Director, St. Jude Hospital, Ikire, in Irewole Local Government of Osun State, Dr. Pedro Adegbola Odumuyiwa, reminisces thus:

Double promotion, but...
I attended Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Ikire, between 1947 and 1954. From the ABD class, I gained double promotion to Class Two instead of going to ‘Ijapa’ Class. However, in 1949, when I was in Standard One, I lost my father and going to school became difficult because there was no money. Despite all odds, however, my mother’s encouragement and servitude to others ensured that my education and that of my siblings continued. I thank God for His grace that saw me through.

I sat for two entrance examinations; one at St Leo’s Teachers’ Grade 11 College, Abeokuta and another one to Catholic Secondary School, Ibadan, renamed today as Loyola College and I  was successful in both. However, due to financial constraints, I was unable, initially, to go to any of the schools and instead, I was taken to the farm.

Saved by a saint
In April 1955, I found a prayer book titled: ‘Book of Saints’ on my way to church; in the book, St. Jude Thaddeus (patron of Hopeless Cases) was listed among the saints. I was always praying fervently to this saint, as is practised in the Catholic church, and my prayer was answered in May 1955 when Mr. C. O. Pitan, our headmaster at Holy Cross School and a bossom friend of my father came to Ikire and took me along to Ibadan after his visit. He was God-sent.

With the mercy of God, my admission to Loyola College was re-visited and I was admitted by Father John Mackle who was the principal then. I passed out as one of the second set of the college in 1960 and took up a teaching appointment at St. Augustine Catholic Modern School in Ikire, in 1961. I taught Mathematics, three arms of Class 1; Geography in Class 2 and Science in the final Class 3.

My students started it
Along the line, it was when I was teaching that the modern school system was to give way to science secondary modern school, in 1962. Only eight schools were to be allowed to run such science institution in the whole of Western Region and the education inspectors were sent all over to scout for the best eight schools. I thank God that our school was favoured due to my humble contribution to the science subject.

Immediately the inspectors got to our school, St. Augustine, Ikire, on getting to my class, they saw the way I taught the ‘5 senses of the organ,’ the practical aspect of it - the eyes as the sense of vision, the tongue as the sense of taste, nose for smelling, the ears for hearing and the sense of feeling. I asked the students to close their eyes to realise the importance of the eyes, and so on like that, and they were so impressed that day that they started calling me ‘Doctor’ and that stuck to me.

The inspectors too were highly elated by the way the science subject was handled and that was how St. Augustine was included as one of the science schools, while the inspectors recommended me to go and study science on scholarship in the university.

The recommendation was taken to my Catholic Bishop in Ibadan for necessary approval. That was how I finaly received a scholarship to study Medicine in Germany, through the Catholic Mission of Nigeria, in 1961 and I travelled in December, 1961.

Operation ‘weti e’
I excelled in my Higher School Certificate Examination at Studien Kollege, Heideberg University, in 1963 and after seven years of rigorous medical course, I passed the final Medical Examination (Arzliche Priifung) MBBS with 10 distinctions, out of 15 subjects, in 1969, while my thesis for the Doctor of Medicine

Degree was accepted with “Magna cum laude,” an equivalent of ‘very good.’

When I was in Germany, I got a letter from my uncle, Professor Oluwande, that I should come home because my father’s house had been burnt during the political crisis tagged: ‘Operation weti e,’ in Ikire, because one of my brothers was in government then as a councillor.

I had a dream
In 1968, I dreamt that I should come back to Nigeria, that I would meet my wife in the country. When I got back to Nigeria in 1970, I went to Ikire and it was a terrible and sympathetic situation I met on ground. The burnt house of my father, the condition of my people and even the environment, all moved me to be more determined to do something to better the lots of my people. So, I came back and went to look for a job at the Catholic Hospital, Eleta, Ibadan and, behold, there I met my wife, Boyede Onaolapo, who is a qualified nurse.

I also dreamt that I would build a hospital of international standard, before I came and, thank God, those that were instrumental to the dream, which became a reality, included, Professor Ogunlesi, who was the dean, Department of Medicine.

Afterall, I went to work at  the University College Hospital, UCH. After my  registration by the Nigerian Medical Council, in 1971, I was given an appointment at the UCH in 1972 and in 1973, I was offered an appointment as the Registrar in Medicine as well as in the Paediatrics Department, two distinct departments of the same institution. I chose Medicine because I was told I would be seconded to help open the paediatric ward at St. Mary’s

Hospital, Eleta, Ibadan and that was how my dream of taking a wife from Eleta Hospital came into fruition.

Motivation
I had a first knowledge of practising Medicine in Igboora, through my brother who was a Public Health Engineer in the ancient town, in 1964.

No other place but Ikire
When I came back from Germany, I wanted to practise Medicine in a place where the people really were in need of good healthcare, not for monetary purpose; a place where people would really appreciate the benefit of  a standard clinic.

I chose, Ikire, my hometown, and it took me 20 years to put the hospital in place; just to give good health care delivery to my people in Ikire and its environ. The Health Insurance Scheme of the government came in handy in providing affordable and effective healthcare for the people.  Health services were virtually free at UCH and it was then I noticed that without free healthcare delivery, people cannot enjoy good health.

Saddest day
When  I lost my father,  I was just eight years old, that was very painful, and again, the day I saw that my father’s properties were burnt through ‘Operation weti e.’

Hobby
I watch and play football.

Philosopy
Dream is the end product of thought, but to accomplish it demands utter dedication and determination.