Osotimehin, a complete gentle man, hardworking and courageous —Health Minister

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Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, has described the late Executive Director of UNFPA, a former provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and former health Minister, as “a mentor, a senior, friend, a brother.

Adewole, who confirmed the death of Professor Babatunde Osotimehin on Monday, said he “was a complete gentle man with a strong vision, very focused, hardworking, bold and courageous man.

“Nigeria will continue to remember him as a visionary who led not only the Federal Ministry but also NACA in its early days.

“We are going to remember him for his contribution to family planning, as an instrument for promoting socio-economic development and improving health and well being of women and their children.

Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, UN Under-Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UN Population Fund (UNFPA) was also confirmed dead in a statement issued by Dr Babajide Osotimehin on behalf of the family on Monday, saying the senior Osotimehin died on Sunday, at the age of 68.

Osotimehin was the Director General of National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and was also a former Provost of the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

Professor Babatunde Osotimehin became the CEO of UNFPA on 19th November 2010 to serve a four-year term and was re-appointed on 21st August 2014.

He was a global leader of public health, women’s empowerment and young people, particularly focused on promoting human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as population and development.

Upon moving into his second term in 2015, Mr. Osotimehin introduced new reforms that increased the effectiveness and efficiency of UNFPA and outlined a more robust vision for improving the lives of women, adolescents and youth around the world.

Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Bunmi Olaopa-Olapade described the deaths of Professor Babatunde Osotimehin as sudden, and one that was a shock to the academic community.

The provost said he had contributed significantly to the development of the college, HIV control and healthcare delivery in the country.

He assured that the college and University subject to the family’s plan will later come up with how it will honour the distinguished alumni of the university.

A former provost of the college and friend of Professor Osotimehin, Professor Dosu Ojengbede said that he will always be remembered for his strong passion for young people and adolescents, as well as health of mother and children.

“Indeed he served meritorious and a proud alumni of University of Ibadan, who practically did his entire academic career in UI.

“He became DG of NACA and then Federal Minister of Health during when he took health system to a higher level from where he met it. And based on his performance, he was appointed the Executive Director if UNPFA where he continued as a strong advocate for women and children, especially young people and adolescents.”