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generally, and this attribute often found useful application
in the conduct of the affairs of PASCAR. In his capacity as
PASCAR president he had a seat on the board of the World Heart
Federation based in Geneva, Switzerland where he soon became
known for his forthrightness, wisdom and candour.
I have had the honour of serving as secretary general of the
Nigerian Cardiac Society for two consecutive terms with Prof
Adebo as president of the Society, deputy editor with him as
editor-in-chief of the
Nigerian Journal of Cardiology
, and until
the time of his death, secretary general with him as president
of PASCAR. I have also served as executive director with him
as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Save a Child’s
Heart Foundation of Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation.
These close associations, apart from the frequent professional
interactions with him in the hospital arena, afforded me the
privilege of looking into the life of this great man at close range.
He was at the same time president of the Christian Medical and
Dental Association of Nigeria.
Prof Adebo combined all these roles very well and never to
the detriment of his duties as a teacher, head of department, dean,
devoted husband, father, friend and philanthropist. His role as
a philanthropist was very much concealed because he believed
in the words of the Bible that ‘the left hand should not know
what the right hand was doing’ in that context. He funded many
indigent university students through their education. His faith in
Christ was never concealed and his dogged pursuit of truth in all
matters was a direct result of that commitment.
I can reveal a little more about this rare breed. He lived a
Spartan life and was never given to ostentation even though he
could easily have afforded some of the luxuries of life. I had the
opportunity of travelling with him on a number of occasions for
either meetings or conferences. No matter the location, keeping
fit was another passion of his. He would be up early ahead of
the day’s programme of activities and go jogging for at least an
hour, then stay with the full day’s programme. Such was his level
of discipline.
All these other activities never caused him to neglect his much
cherished wife of 43 years, Beatrice Taiwo, who he loved very
much. He would go to great lengths to find a telephone where
none was in the immediate vicinity, to call her, let her know he
was alright and affirm her repeatedly. He would do this every day
until we returned home. His family commitment also kept him in
close contact with his children who were in various parts of the
world, accomplished in their own rights.
Prof Adebo was at his best when in multi-tasking mode.
With sterling equanimity he took challenges in his stride.
He read much and would not be outdone with the use of the
latest computerised gadgets, often surfing the web for updates
on information. He was always well informed, very often in
contemplation but never absent minded. Needless to say he was
most articulate, although he would in his self-effacing way, claim
he was not given to oratory. He was indeed a man of few words;
but those few words were packed with deep wisdom, which I
later found, even his opponents were eager to hear. At meetings,
after he spoke, it was ‘end of discussion’.
He was a teacher whom students, interns and residents were
eager to learn from. I never once hesitated to send my patients to
him for surgery – in fact he was easily the preferred surgeon to
send your patient to. Absolutely meticulous and at great sacrifice
to his person, he would often get no sleep, even after the surgery
was successfully undertaken, until the patient was stable and ‘out
of the woods’ to use his own words. He was a great mentor, my
mentor. He knew how to bring out the best in people.
Just as equally disciplined was his devotional life. His daily
communion with Jesus Christ had priority of place in his daily
schedules. I could go on, but in essence, he was a living epistle,
a living, walking illustration of 2 Cor. 5:17 – ‘if any man is in
Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away and
all things have become new’. How he managed to keep such a
well-balanced life is again a classic illustration of what the grace
of God means in a man’s life who is yielded to him. Prof Adebo
stood tall among his peers, always playing by the rules. Many far
less-deserving men have been robed with accolades and honours
here on earth. He did not seek such accolades and the honour
of men.
Prof Adebo will be sorely missed in many respects within the
cardiovascular healthcare arena and the numerous other bodies
he served meritoriously. He must be with the Lord now, whom he
loved dearly and to whom he dedicated all his labour. So indeed
it should be. Adieu Prof Oluwole Ademola Adebo.
Samuel Ilenre Omokhodion MB BS, FMC Pead, FWACP,
FRCPCH (UK)
Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of
Ibadan and University College, Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria