By Ayo Arowojolu
The Dr Oluyombo Awojobi Family Tree is indeed a true definition of greatness, which is itself a branch of the equally distinctive and larger Awojobi Family of Ikorodu, Lagos, where one of the proteges was the reputed genius and Mechanical Engineer at the University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi who lived between 1937 and 1984.
Not surprisingly, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi’s junior brother, Dr Oluyombo Adetilewa had towed that same path of innovativeness in his medical calling when he registered his imprint on the soil of the then sleepy but serene Eruwa in Oyo State as he founded the Awojobi Clinic in 1986 which till date is reputed as “A private Hospital in the public service”.
Located in a conspicuous spatial in Eruwa, Awojobi Clinic is a sprawling complex occupying several acres
of land, having a full complement of medical facilities, resolving several notty medical cases and health challenges from far and near. The hospital prioritizes purpose and service beyond profiting as though it is philanthropy.
It’s been 10 years ago since Dr Awojobi departed this temporal earthly sphere but the vision of the Awojobi Clinic, Eruwa(ACE) did not die with him. In fact, the hospital continues to be relevant to the Eruwa community, the nation and even the world at large, with accessibility and affordability as key points.
One success factor behind the sustained survival of the hospital is the commitment to integrity and excellence exhibited by Dr Yombo Awojobi’s better half, Mrs Atinuke Awojobi, both of whom solemnized their marital union years ago on September 16, 1978, and both blessed with two boys, Oluyombo Adetilewa Awojobi (jnr), an Electrical/Electronic Engineer, and a Medical Doctor, Ayodele Ateniola Awojobi.
Mrs. Atinuke Olatundun Awojobi who now runs the hospital as Chief Executive Officer, hit the septuagenarian milestone on Thursday 27th February, 2025 having been born on that day in 1955 to late Oba Richard Oladiipo Makanjuola, Owa Ooye of Imesi Ile, Osun State and Olori Christianah Jadesola Makanjuola who hails from Ilesa, also in Osun State.
She had her Basic Education at the Salvation Army and Ebenezer African Church Schools both at Ekotedo Ibadan between 1960 and 1965.
She attended the famous Queen’s School Ede/Ibadan between 1966 -1970 and the Federal School of Science, Lagos in 1971-1973 for the Higher School Education.
Mrs. Atinuke Awojobi obtained the then Diploma of the Society of Radiographers, United Kingdom with the best overall student Awards & Honours at the final examination in 1976.
She was a Radiographer with University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan between 1976 – 1980, a Radiographer with Oyo State Health Management Board working at the District Hospital, Eruwa between 1983 – 1988.
She is presently the Radiographer, ultrasonographer and Chief Executive Officer of Awojobi Clinic Eruwa.
Without doubt, it would appear that Eruwa is the Divine Location of the Awojobi’s. The connection to Eruwa happened in April 1980 when Dr Awojobi was posted to the District Hospital for a one- month postgraduate community-based, primary health care programme from the Department of Surgery, UCH, Ibadan.
On completion of the postgraduate programme, he returned to Eruwa in 1983 to work as a Consultant Surgeon at the same hospital for three years- the first and only Nigerian Consultant to practice at that level in the public service.
Due to bureaucratic bottleneck, in 1986, he left the hospital to realize his dream of setting up his own practice, Awojobi Clinic Eruwa which today has metamorphosed into a chain of service-oriented concerns including an expansive events center.
In 2000, the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome Kuti, then Minister of Health of the Federal Republic of Nigeria paid a visit to Awojobi Clinic Eruwa.
He had said on his visit:
“Highly privileged to visit this hospital, an example of commitment, concern for fellow beings, innovation and imaginations. I like the way he admits relations to the theater to watch operations on their sick relatives. I like the way he fabricates everything and saves everything, I have visited an exemplary phenomenon and honoured to be here. Can this be replicated? It must take a particular kind of person!!”
An online report a few years ago on Awojobi gives more insight into his work and career: “Nigeria has been reported to be the most populated nation in Africa but it lacks the basic social amenities which has caused a lot of brain drain and untapped talents in the nation. Talents can be discovered and the spirit of entrepreneurship can be imbibed by the unemployed and even in the society. Awojobi Clinic Eruwa (ACE) owned by Dr. Oluyombo Awojobi is a typical case study of a social service provided in a small community despite the unavailability of resources.
“He made a land in a rural tropical savannah of Eruwa which is about 150km drive from the heart of Lagos which is equivalent to about three (3) hours. Considering the general state of health sector especially the public or government owned hospitals in Nigeria, Awojobi Clinic is a miracle to the Eruwa community.”
All the equivalent and social amenities are provided within the premises, water is pumped up from dams fashioned by hand, electricity is provided from cheap generators, maize cobs disposed from neighboring farmland which could constitute nuisance if unused serve as heating source of boiling water and chemical for sterilizing and other general use.
Operating and surgery equipment, tricycle and hospital ambulance are locally fabricated. Other equipment locally and cheaply produced includes Heath Robinson autoclaves, water distiller, intravenous fluid production and surgical equipments. There is also provision of both surgical services and end stage pathology to members of the community at very low and affordable prices.
To assist her depth of managerial expertise, Mrs Awojobi has attended scientific lectures, workshops and conferences within and outside the shores of Nigeria. She has presented papers in various medical journals.
She is a certified child evangelist and was for several years the Area Supervisor of the Children Evangelism Ministry, Eruwa branch.
An elaborate three-in-one event commemorating the 70th birthday of the Awojobi Matriarch, the 74th posthumous birthday of the late Dr Yombo Awojobi and the 10th anniversary of his demise will take place in Eruwa on Saturday March 1, 2025.
Big congratulations to the septuagenarian on this auspicious milestone!
