Dentists launch biography in honour of late maxillofacial surgeon

Professionals in dentistry have launched a biography to honour the late Prof. Emmanuel Adekeye, a renowned Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, seven years after his death.

At the book presentation entitled "Adekeye: Passing the Surgical Baton', many extolled his achievements and virtues that made him an iconic figure in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is carried out to treat diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) regions.

Supreme reports that Adekeye pioneered oral and maxillofacial surgery in Northern Nigeria.

He played a foremost role in the establishment of the Surgery Department of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

He also established Etomie Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, specifically to deal with oral and maxillofacial deformities.

In 2012, he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his academic contributions and four decades of mentorship in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

He was also honoured for his invaluable services to African patients with maxillofacial deformities.

He received the award at the 2012 Biennial World Cleft Lip and Palate Congress in Mahe, Seychelles.

Extolling his achievements, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University and Chairman of the event, said that Adekeye served the dental profession with all his "God-endowed talents and resources."

Ogunbodede, who was represented by Prof. Olawunmi Fatusi, added that Adekeye exemplified commitment, tenacity, maturity and absolute dedication throughout his lifetime.

"During his 30 years of service, he published over 70 papers in local and international journals.

"He also trained more than 16 Nigerians and Ghanaians as residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery up to consultant status.

"He supervised more than 20 senior surgeons from Britain on further training in Nigeria.

"His service to the oral and maxillofacial centre in Kaduna, which spanned decades, is laced with numerous achievements, and many of his students and mentees have attained enviable positions in various spheres of life.

"The dental and educational community will forever be grateful and we are proud of his sacrifice and selfless contributions, which have continued to live on," he said.

Also, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabanwo, Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, described Adekeye as an icon in oral and maxillofacial surgery, who set the trail for current maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria.

"Today, we are launching a book that one of his protégés, Prof. Ademola Olaitan and other mentees, have put together to honour Adekeye who remains an iconic figure.

"When young people read biographies or autobiographies of great men, they get inspired and see their humble beginnings. I believe this book would inspire others to achieve more," he said.

Recalling Adekeye's contributions to the cleft community, Mrs Nkeiruka Obi, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa of Smile Train, said he performed more than 1,000 free surgeries for children with cleft lip through partnerships with Smile Train.

The book reviewer, Dr Olatokunbo Abiose, former Head of Department and Chief Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UCH, Ibadan, said the biography portrayed Adekeye's integrity.

He described the biography as revealing Adekeye's Christian faith, his ability to pass on surgical skills and mentor future surgeons in Nigeria.

"It is a paperback of two parts, nine chapters and a postscript spread over 138 pages.

As early as the preface and the foreword, you can begin to glean the nature of the enthralling, inspiring and mentoring narrative that awaits you in the subsequent chapters.

"The authors have done ample justice to his early life, his nuclear family, professional career and most importantly, his mentoring of future generations of oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

"I will rate it a good read and a worthy buy," he said.

Ademola Olaitan, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, who was one of Adekeye's pioneer mentees, described him as a committed, dedicated and diligent surgeon.

Olaitan, who authored the book with his colleague, Dr Timothy Osodin, said the objective of the book was to reveal the pathway to success in the profession and in life in general.

"Adekeye did a lot in oral and maxillofacial surgery and we wanted people to know what he did during his lifetime, so that we can replicate it and others can learn from his life," he said.

Mr Temidayo Adekeye, the second son, expressed gratitude for the honour and for the celebration of his father's 84th posthumous birthday.