Posted by By Adeyeye Joseph on
enowned medical practitioner and long-running gynaecologist to several first families, Professor Tiamiyu Bello-Osagie is dead.
Renowned medical practitioner and long-running gynaecologist to several first families, Professor Tiamiyu Bello-Osagie is dead. Bello-Osagie, who had a distinguished career spanning over half a century died in London, United Kingdom yesterday.
While it is still unclear what the cause of his death was, sources close to the family said his body would be flown in from England yesterday evening. His family is said to be planning to inter his body according to Islamic rites today.
Bello-Osagie's remarkable career began at the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, where he started practice as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Over time, his expertise brought him to the notice of successive Nigerian rulers who insisted that he must be in charge during their wives' pregnancy and delivery.
He rendered services to many of Nigeria's heads of government, notable among whom were President Shehu Shagari and General Ibrahim Babangida. He was the doctor who delivered Maryam, the wife of former head of state, of her last child.
Osagie, who married Iyalekitue Bazuaye in 1954, had four children, one of whom is one time Special Assistant under the Shagari administration and ex-chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Hakeem Bello-Osagie.
Bello-Osagie was born in October 1, 1924, in Benin City, Edo State. He had his secondary school education at Edo College, Benin, 1937 to 38 and King's College 1938 to 44. He proceeded to Howard University, Washington, U.S, 1947 to 49 and McGill University, Canada, 1949 to 53 where he studied Medicine.
Between 1963 and 1972 he was consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, General Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
He was appointed a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Benin in 1972 and was Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Provost, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin.
He was Pro-Chancellor Delta State University, Ekpoma, Delta State and he ran Osagie Medical Center, Lagos.
He was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, Royal Empire Society and Fellow, Nigerian Medical College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He was awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 1982.