DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS HOLDS COMMENDATION AND VALEDICTORY SERVICE FOR LATE PROFESSOR EDNA OBIANUJU IROHA

DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS HOLDS COMMENDATION AND VALEDICTORY SERVICE FOR LATE PROFESSOR EDNA OBIANUJU IROHA

The commendation and valedictory service for the late Professor Edna Obianuju Iroha of the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos was held today, Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the Old Great Hall.

The ceremony was well attended by family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, who all thronged the Old Great Hall to pay their last respects. In his sermon titled “Virtues of humanity against death”, Rev. Segun Aiyedoro of the Chapel of the Healing Cross, LUTH, Idi-Araba, thanked all medical practitioners for their doggedness in the battle they are waging, which has granted longevity to the populace. He reminded everyone that we are only battling with one death, which is physical death, but that the ultimate death is spiritual death.

Rev. Aiyedoro praised the life of service to humanity lived by the late Professor Edna Iroha and therefore admonished everyone to emulate the exemplary life of the deceased.

The Deputy Provost, Professor O.A.T. Ebuehi, who represented both the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola FAS, and the Provost, Professor David Oke FAMedS, on behalf of management, staff, and students of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, expressed his condolences to the families of the late Professor Edna Iroha. He acknowledged her contributions to the Department of Paediatrics and College of Medicine, University of Lagos, adding that she imparted many lives and left an indelible mark.

The Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Professor Abiola Oduwole, in her tributes, described the late professor Iroha as a woman of many estimable qualities. She acknowledged her dedication to neonatology and the Department of Paediatrics. Tribute also poured out from representatives of various professional associations, institutions, colleagues, friends, and families of the late Professor Iroha in recognition of her contributions to service and humanity.

The late Professor Iroha was born in Mubi, present-day Adamawa State, on December 28th, 1940, and had her early education at St. Bartholomew’s school, Enugu, and later at St. Monica’s school, Ogbunike. She also attended Union Secondary School and later proceeded to Queens College, Enugu, for her A-Levels. She attended the prestigious University of Ibadan, where she graduated with an MB,BS in 1972, and then proceeded to the University of Glasgow for her Paediatric training programme.

The late Professor Edna Iroha had a working career with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba until her retirement in 2010. She was a member of many professional associations, among which are the Pediatrics Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine, and LUTH Paediatric Alumni, among others. Professor Edna Obianuju Iroha left behind children, grandchildren, families, friends, and colleagues.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. In attendance to honour the late Professor Edna Iroha were the Ag. Medical Librarian, Dr. Blessing Ukachi, Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, ably represented by Professor Olawale, Dean, Faculty of Basical Medical Sciences, ably represented by Professor A.O. Okanlawon, Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Professor Lanre Adeyemo, Professor F.E.A. Lesi, Professor Akin Osibogun, Professor Chris Bode, retired Professors of the College of Medicine, colleagues of the deceased, members of staff and students, friends and families of the deceased both present onsite and online.