A diaspora-based Pharmacist and Community Developer from Ode Ekiti, Pharmacist Adedayo Oluwasanmi has hailed the induction of Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi into the Afe Babalola Hall of Fame by the Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide ABBW as a richly deserved honour, describing the nonagenarian surgeon and statesman as a living lighthouse, whose brilliance continues to illuminate the path for generations yet unborn.
In a congratulatory message, made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, Adedayo Oluwasanmi, who himself is a healthcare professional and relative of the celebrated academic and medical icon, said the recognition was just one of the many garlands that rightly belong to a man whose life has been a masterclass in purpose, sacrifice, and nation-building.
He described Professor Oluwasanmi as the pride of the Oluwasanmi Dynasty, a jewel of Ode-Ekiti, and a towering pillar in the edifice of Ekiti State’s intellectual and moral heritage.
According to the pharmacist, Professor Oluwasanmi’s journey from the quiet hills of Ode-Ekiti to global recognition in medical and academic circles is not just inspirational, but also emblematic of what vision, discipline, and service can achieve.
“This is not merely a personal achievement, it is a generational statement, a proof that values endure and that excellence never goes out of relevance.” he said.
Adedayo Oluwasanmi who recalled that Professor Oluwasanmi’s initial passion for medicine was ignited by a painful family loss, the death of his infant sister on her christening day, said the historic event was told to them, to have seeded in the first Africa’s plastic surgeon, a lifelong commitment to healing, saving lives, and reforming healthcare systems.
“That spark eventually led our to become one of Nigeria’s most respected surgeons and medical administrators. With a reputation for meticulous technique, ethical practice, and groundbreaking research, Professor Oluwasanmi authored numerous scholarly articles, spoke at international medical platforms, and contributed to health policy both locally and abroad. I feel so proud anytime I am in a classes or conferences where people across the world; white and black, make references to the medical research works and books written by my very own father, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi” The pharmacist remarked.
According to him, beyond the operating theatre, the now head of the Oluwasanmi Dynasty had served as Chief Medical Director of the prestigious University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where he introduced progressive reforms that elevated patient care, improved staff welfare, and expanded institutional research capacity. Adedayo described this era as “the golden age of hospital administration in Nigeria.”
“He leads with integrity, inspired through example, and led with a moral compass that never blinked, As a professor of surgery, he reshaped medical education, pioneering reforms in residency training and advocating for locally adapted surgical techniques that responded to the socio-economic realities of Nigerian hospitals.” Adedayo stated, noting that Professor Oluwasanmi’s tenure at UCH remains a benchmark in the management of public medical institutions.
The pharmacist and philanthropist emphasised that long before it became fashionable, his uncle championed indigenous innovation in healthcare delivery. “Many of today’s leading surgeons in Nigeria and across West Africa either trained under him directly or benefitted from the systems he built. He was not just a teacher; he was a builder of institutions and minds” he added.
The pharmacist also highlighted the professor’s unflinching commitment to community development, especially his consistent return to Ode-Ekiti to support local education, rural healthcare outreach, and youth mentorship. “
In Adedayo’s words;
“As Commissioner for Health in Ekiti State between 1999 and 2003, Professor Oluwasanmi’s leadership laid foundational frameworks that improved access to primary healthcare and reinforced the link between academic medicine and rural health needs. His role today, as president of the Ekiti Council of Elders is an extension of a lifelong calling to guide, shape and serve”.
Adedayo Oluwasanmi expressed gratitude to Aare Afe Babalola, founder of the Afe Babalola University and pioneer of the Hall of Fame, for initiating what he called “a national mirror of meritocracy.” He also acknowledged the leadership of the Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide (ABBW), led by Mr. Solomon Ogunniyi Morakinyo, for curating the honour.
“This recognition is not just a portrait in a hall, it is a monument to moral leadership, a salute to sacrifice, and a reminder to us all that true greatness is built in silence and service,” He noted.
He described the professor’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame as a source of inspiration not only for today’s professionals but also for “unborn children who will grow up needing heroes whose stories are true, tested, and timeless.”
According to him, the honour is one more feather in the cap of a man whose accolades include the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), multiple honorary doctorates, and fellowships from the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
The pharmacist urged the Ekiti State Government and federal institutions to document and celebrate elder statesmen like Professor Oluwasanmi while they are alive. “They are living national assets, walking libraries of wisdom and sacrifice,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Oluwasanmi family and mentees across the globe, Adedayo said “You have shown us that a life lived in purpose, humility, and excellence can light the way for an entire people. You are our pride, our patriarch, and our mirror of what is possible.”
“As your portrait now stands in the Hall of Fame, may your life continue to show in the hearts of those you’ve mentored, healed, taught, and inspired. This honour is yours, but the legacy belongs to all of us.” He concluded.