OPHTHALMOLOGY CHOSE ME:… DR. FESTUS OSHOBA

Dr. Festus Oshoba is a Chief Consultant Ophthalmologist, former Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, and Proprietor of LADKEM Specialist Eye Hospital. A Chartered Administrator, Lawyer, Public Health Expert, and Broadcast Journalist, he has led the Chartered Institute of Administration, St. John’s Grammar School Old Boys’ Association, and the NOC Medical Commission. A mentor, philanthropist, and “happiness generator,” his life reflects service, excellence, and purpose-driven leadership. He bared his mind to INEMESIT EBU on his life, school, career, and the polity. Excerpts.

SIR, TAKE US BACK 42 YEARS. WHAT ARE YOUR MOST VIVID MEMORIES OF UNILORIN MEDICAL SCHOOL, CLASS OF ’84?

I was admitted into the University of Ilorin through preliminary studies in 1978. We were the first set of “Jambites.” When former President Olusegun Obasanjo was Military Head of State, he established many new Universities with Teaching Hospitals. Before then, the existing universities were Ibadan, Ife, Nsukka, Lagos, and Ahmadu Bello University.For those of us aspiring for university education, options were limited. We wrote what was called a Concessional Examination conducted by the universities themselves.

At the end, the same set of students were admitted by these universities, making choices limited and making it difficult to gain admission without assistance.When the Obasanjo-led administration established JAMB in 1978, we became the first set to be admitted through it. I was actually studying Civil Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Akure.

One day, immediately after lectures, some fellow students brought newspapers to the class. We jointly perused the newspapers together; I opened one of the newspapers and discovered I had been admitted to study Medicine at the University of Ilorin. I had to abandon my initial love for Civil Engineering.Coming to UNILORIN, we did General Studies, Biology, Chemistry, etc., to prepare us for Medical School. After one year, we properly entered Medical School.Our first day in Medical School was spent in a community in Kwara State.

I was posted to Mopa. The university ran a Community-Based Medical Education and Services (COBES) programme in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve medical education. We were sent to communities to conduct surveys, interviews, and research on living conditions and health challenges. We carried out topographic studies and documented prevalent diseases.I remember at Mopa, our Dean, a member of the British Empire; Professor E.H.O. Parry and author of many medical books, our foundation Dean, was with us in that village together with all our Professors and Teachers. They lived with us.

The ideology was: if you will stay in the community to treat people, you must first understand them. Investigate, research, know their problems, find solutions, and become part of them. Only then can you come out as a good doctor and an effective primary healthcare provider. That was my experience.

WHAT WAS THE NEXT STEP AFTER THE COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT?

After gathering our findings, we presented our research report. I was one of the presenters in my group. Other groups were posted to different communities in Kwara State. It was memorable.At that time, the university provided meals for N50.00 per plate — morning, afternoon, and evening. They also provided hostel accommodation throughout our stay. We were two to a room from the first year, with good toilet facilities.

The school was safe and conducive. It was enjoyable.All our lecturers from different parts of the world, were committed and gave us their best.

As students, we formed daily study groups because we had to work hard to pass. Some of us were called “triangular students” — classroom to cafeteria to hostel. But we also engaged in sports and politics. I was a Hall Representative in my first year.

During my pre-clinical years, I was very active at the Ilorin University Medical Sudents Association where I served in various positions as the Editor-in-Chief of the MEDILOR magazine, member of Senate, Secretary General and eventually President as well as one of the National Vice Presidents of the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA).We hosted the NIMSA Games at UNILORIN in 1983.

Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who later became Governor of Enugu State, was then NIMSA President.We represented UNILORIN Medical School across the country. We had time for recreation — football, lawn tennis, chess. I was active in church, specifically the University of Ilorin Scripture Union, Joint Campus Fellowship and the UNILORIN theatre group.In preliminary year we studied Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology. After passing, we moved to clinical years including Ophthalmology, which I specialized in.

I graduated in 1984 as one of the two best students in my class. I passed all my exams at first sitting because God was with me.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE OPHTHALMOLOGY?

I did not choose Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology chose me.After graduation in June 1984, I did my internship at General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, where I met my wife. I did my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC at Lagos Island Local Government, City Hall. Corps members were accommodated at Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi — my first experience of Ikoyi, was very memorable.

After NYSC, I was employed by Lagos State Health Management Board. I told them I had passed my primaries in Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, O&G and wanted to work at the Lagos Island Maternity. They said they had a problem in the Ophthalmology department and needed a man, as the staff were mostly female.

I was drafted there.I still wanted to be a Gynaecologist, so I went to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for residency with my West African College of Surgeons primaries. They didn’t accept me.

Six months later, I had also passed my National Postgraduate Medical College primaries in O&G.That was when the Chairman of LUTH Board Dr. Duro Soleye, told me: “You were the best student in your class and won my prize in Public Health. O&G is very competitive. It’s better you go into Ophthalmology where Professor Ajesola Majekodunmi was looking for male residents.”Six months later I had passed my Ophthalmology primaries.

At LUTH, Prof. Ajesola Majekodunmi welcomed me and I was given appointment as Junior Resident.Lagos State Government sponsored my residency. After training, I returned to serve them. So far, I came, I saw, and I believe I have conquered in Ophthalmology.

Today I am Secretary, Board of Trustees, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria; Fellow, West African College of Surgeons in Ophthalmology, November 1992; Fellow National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in May 1993; holder of a Master’s Degree in Public Health; Fellow, International College of Surgeons, and more.After 20 years with Lagos State, I retired and became the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Registrar.

Later I left to start LADKEM Specialist Eye Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.It has been joyful making the blind see, preventing eye diseases, curing people, and providing glasses and rehabilitation. Ophthalmology is very fulfilling.

WHAT COMMON EYE PROBLEMS DO NIGERIANS IGNORE? WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR 40+?

The most common is Glaucoma. It’s a leading cause of blindness and the person doesn’t know he’s going blind. My advice: everyone should have their eyes checked by an Ophthalmologist to check eye pressure and examine the inside of the eye. That’s how to prevent glaucoma.For people 40 and above, even if you’ve never used glasses, you may now need them to read small prints and your phone.

Children should have eye exams before school. If a child is short-sighted, he won’t see the board and academic performance will suffer. In summary, the eye continues to change throughout life. Everyone needs to see an eye doctor regularly.

WHAT CAREER MILESTONE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

To God’s glory, I reached the peak. I became MDCN Registrar — the regulator of the medical profession. I started Continuing Medical Education. As a Registrar, I purchased the land for MDCN headquarters in Abuja with due diligence. I employed more doctors at the MDCN. The legacy I left there is evergreen.

AFTER 42 YEARS, WHAT DID THE REUNION MEAN TO CLASS OF ’84?

It meant a lot. It was an avenue to meet classmates we hadn’t seen in 42 years. We reminisced, learned from each other, supported one another, and were grateful to God that we are healthy and alive.

WHAT LIFE LESSON HAS MEDICINE TAUGHT YOU?

God did not create anyone to live for himself. He created us to live for one another. Whatever profession or office you hold, use it to serve humanity. It is always fulfilling.

WHAT’S YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUNG DOCTORS AND NEXT GENERATION OF UNILORIN MEDICAL STUDENTS?

My message to them is that Medicine is lifelong service through learning.

The moment you stop learning; you become a quack. You swore the Hippocratic Oath – to serve humanity and put patient health first. It’s a selfless job. One mistake can cause death or disability.

During the breakout of the Ebola pandemic, Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh sacrificed her life. She contracted the virus from Patrick Sawyer at First Consultant Hospital, Lagos, on August 19, 2014. Her decision to quarantine him stopped a major outbreak. When everyone is running away, from death and disease, doctors run in.

Young doctors should work hard and get mentors. I was mentored at Metro Eye Clinic, by Dr. Oyeleye of blessed memory. It made me appreciate hard work and excellence.

ARE YOU GOING INTO POLITICS? WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR 2027 CANDIDATES?

At almost 70, I won’t actively join politics. You start early. If you want to be a politician, start before 40 to learn the rules. I’m ready to support others but not to contest.I have a Master’s in Public Administration.

My advice to 2027 candidates: use the power you have for the development of your people because power is transient. We have ex-presidents — Obasanjo, Jonathan — and former governors. Whatever position you hold today, you will vacate it sometime and become an ex this or ex that.

FROM CLASSROOM TEACHER TO CEO LADKEM EYE CLINIC. WHAT HAS BEEN THE GOLDEN THREAD THAT KEPT YOU MOVING ACROSS ALL THE ROLES?

That my today should be greater than yesterday, and my tomorrow better than today. I’ve read the lifetimes of great philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle and others.

They motivated me to move across fields.From classroom teacher teaching Primary 1 to 6, to teaching secondary school students from classes one to five, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate university students including professors, I am fulfilled. The golden thread is self-actualization. God gave us gifts.

Whatever a man can be, he should be, according to Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation.In my case, I’m a Pastor, Doctor, Actor, Counselor, Life Coach, Sports Administrator, Member of the Medical & Scientific Commission of the National Olympic Committee, NOC, etc.

SIR YOU CALL YOURSELF “HAPPINESS GENERATOR”. CAN YOU SHARE A MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER WHERE YOU DELIVERED HAPPINESS TO SOMEONE?

The truth is that I generate happiness wherever I am, and it happens every day.
Anyone I meet, I make sure I leave them happy. If you have a condition, I explain it in such a way that you are happy at the end.

I’m a journalist too, so I studied the art of communication. I explain a condition in a way that people can easily remember and are not afraid of. Health is behavior. I try to teach people how to live healthy without relying solely on medication. Everyone who has come in contact with me, I have tried to make them happy.

Take, for instance, the reunion we held recently in Lagos. I was the one who generated the idea and carried others along to a successful event. I handled the publication of the brochure.

As a Journalist, I made sure to bring the members of the ’84 set of medical graduates of Unilorin together and motivated them. Everybody was happy coming from far and wide to see their old friends and classmates after 42 years. I also try to make my wife, children, family, Church, community, and friends happy whenever they come in contact with me.