A Tribute to Dr. Afolabi Babatunde Adeola
I have been here from the beginning.
I have watched this hospital grow.
And in all these years,
I have never seen a season quite like this.
What manner of man is this?
A young man, yet full of vision;
Young in age, yet rich in wisdom;
A man whose friends become partners,
Whose colleagues become helpers,
And whose vision attracts support
From both government and well‑wishers.
Under his leadership,
New partnerships are forming,
New possibilities are emerging,
And the dream of a better, standardised hospital
Is becoming a reality.
For the first time in the history of this hospital,
Staff were brought together not only to work,
But to celebrate as one family.
A cow was slaughtered,
We dined, we shared, we rejoiced.
Then came thanksgiving
For the victory of our Governor—
A gathering that united staff, supporters, and friends
In an atmosphere of gratitude and joy.
Dr. Afolabi Babatunde Adeola,
The first young doctor to occupy this office,
You have shown that greatness is not measured by age,
But by vision, wisdom, and impact.
As our elders say:
“Ọmọ tó bá mọ̀ ọ̀wo we
a mọ̀ àgbà bá jẹun.”
A child who knows how to wash his hands
will eat with elders.
You have eaten with elders,
You have walked with your peers,
And you have carried your people along.
Now the wind is blowing—
The wind of favour,
The wind of glory,
The wind of development.
As favour has found you,
May favour also find me.
As doors are opening for this administration,
May doors open for all who labour with you.
With the renewed mandate of our Governor,
May your vision grow greater,
May your helpers increase,
And may this hospital rise to greater heights.
And when history is written,
May your name be remembered
As the young man who came with vision,
Led with wisdom,
United his people,
And transformed his institution.
Dr. Afolabi Babatunde Adeola, may your name be written in gold.
— A Very Long‑Serving Staff of UTH, Osogbo
