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Nigerian physician (1910–1971) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chief 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 | |
|---|---|
Awoliyi in the 1940s-50s | |
| Born | Elizabeth Abimbola Akerele 1910 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Died | 14 September 1971 (aged 60–61) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse | S. O. Awoliyi |
| Children | 2 |
Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi was born in Lagos, southwestern part of Nigeria, to the Aguda family of David Evaristo 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] Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi earned her medical degree in 1938 from Trinity College 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]
Awoliyi returned to Nigeria and became a gynecologist 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 gynecologist 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]
Awoliyi is included as a "Nigerian Heroine of the 20th Century" in the book Nigerian Heroes and Heroines: and other issues in citizenship education, by Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh.[10]
The Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi Memorial Hospital is located in Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.[11]
Awoliyi owned a 27-acre poultry and orange farm in Agege, Lagos, and became director of the commercial medical store in Lagos.[2]
Awoliyi was the pioneer president of the Lagos branch of the National Council of Women's Societies (NCWS) and a member of the national committee of the organization[12] and she contributed to their policies and activities. 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.
Source:[2]
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]
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