TRIBUTE TO A TRUE FRIEND AT SEVENTY (70). By Prof. John I. Anetor,
TRIBUTE TO A TRUE FRIEND AT SEVENTY (70).
MR. TAIRU OLATUNDE ANIFOWOSE, AIMLS, MSc (Chemical Pathology)
By
Prof. John I. Anetor,
It is a great delight indeed for me to write this short tribute to a good friend, a detribalized Nigerian and a devout but non-sectarian Muslim.
Mr. Tunde Anifowose, fondly called ‘Sir Tunsme’ in my family and I first met in January 1977 in my first year (1A) in the Medical Laboratory Science programmme, in the School of Medical Laboratory Science at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. At that time he was a 400 level (Part 2B final year) student in the discipline of chemical pathology.
In order words, I was very junior to him, additionally, he was President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Science Students of Nigeria (AMLSSN), UCH, branch. He was a great true leader; he was very humble and admired by all.
It was the Executive of the Student union, headed by him, that organised the one-week orientation programme. It was very well organised and boosted our morale, for a programme that was not well known at the time and many students in my set were not very sure at the time if they would continue. That very befitting and well-organised orientation programme contributed in no small measure to the over 98% of those admitted who completed the programme.
Prof. John I. Anetor.
Early Life and Education
Baby Tunde was born in the ‘Month of Love’ on 20th February 1956 at the Local Government Maternity Centre, Owo in the present Ondo State of Nigeria.
He commenced his early education in January 1961 at the Local Authority (LA) primary school, Owo. The school later transformed to Methodist 2 Primary School, Owo, before he finished his primary school education in December 1967. As was common with seasoned and passionate teachers of those days, he was made to spend two years in primary one to become more mature and after that he had a smooth sail through primary school.
Secondary Education
Tunde had his secondary education at the famous Owo High School, Owo, Ondo State, between January 1968- December 1972 under the tutelage of the first civilian governor of Ondo State, the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin who was the founder and principal of the school.
He was a science student, who loved science and obtained the West African School Certificate in Division 1, thus reflecting the brilliance he had always exhibited as a small boy.
Scholarship and Prizes in Higher Education
Tunde had higher education at the School of Medical Laboratory Science, University College, Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, 1974-1978.
He obtained the Associate Membership of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology (AIMLT, later AIMLS), a degree level diplomate in medical laboratory science, majoring in chemical pathology (clinical chemistry).
I cannot recall how we got connected, I think it was divinely ordained and we became very close; found that he was very brilliant, humble and a very good-natured individual and we have remained very close for forty-nine years (almost 5 decades).
He was a combination of brilliance, hard work and humility (indeed, truly brilliant people are usually humble and are never arrogant), he was an epitome of that.
This was clearly recognized when he won the House Governor’s(as it was then called), later Director of Administration’s prize for the “Best All-Round Student” for the 1978 class of the Medical Laboratory Science Programme of UCH. That prize was donated by one of the most seasoned, open-minded, insightful, loved, articulate, courageous and effective administrators UCH has ever had, Mr. F.G.A. Cole, B.Sc., FBIM (UK). The caliber of the donor also speaks volumes of the quality of the recipient.
Due to his quest for knowledge, even though he wasn’t in academics, Tunde obtained a higher degree, the Master of Science degree (M.Sc.) in clinical chemistry from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma between 2005 and 2007. The title of his thesis which remains relevant was ‘Antioxidant Status and Its Dynamics in Malnourished Children on Iron Supplement’, reflecting how insightful he was in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.
Professional Life.
It is very clear that Tunde would have been a brilliant Professor of clinical chemistry or laboratory medicine, but of his own volition, he opted for the private sector after graduation.
He worked briefly as a medical laboratory technologist in the Department of Chemical Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan for about 2 years after his National Youth Service (NYSC) at the General Hospital, Katsina.
Thereafter, he joined the then leading corporate organisation in laboratory medicine and diagnostics, Bayer Diagnostics Division, UniChem Nigeria Limited, Lagos, where he rose to the level of a Senior Clinical Information Systems Specialist, putting his knowledge and skills at the service of the global body in the sale and marketing of its products.
From 1990 till date, that is for over three and a half decade he has been running his private company. He established a private diagnostic laboratory in Ibadan, Anifo-Medik International Limited, which is known for its quality of service, professionalism and patient-centred attributes.
In recognition of Mr. Anifowose’s international exposure, outlook, proficiency and track record, the Germany based laboratory medicine company, Diasys Diagnostic Systems, GmbH, a top-notch manufacturer of automated clinical chemistry analyzers and reagents appointed Anifo-MedikInternational Ltd as its representative in Nigeria, again this is a reflection of the reputation, reliability and scientific bent of the company and the managing director, Mr.Tunde Anifowose.
Tunde the Family Man
Tunde is a loving, very responsible, calm, homely and gentle husband and father. He is married to Mrs. Kehinde Anifowose, a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the discipline of Haematologyand Blood Transfusion Science, who retired as a Deputy Director under the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board. They have been an admirable couple and a great inspiration to many for their devotion to family values.
May God continue to shower HIS blessings on them. Amen.
The marriage is blessed with three very successful and loving children, an Economist/Fintech Expert, a Chartered Accountant and an Electrical and Electronic Engineer all spread across the globe.
These have given birth to adorable grandchildren that keep their grandparents grateful for God’s favours.
Mr. Anifowose the Community Servant-Leader
Due to his love for the common good of the society, Mr.Anifowose, has been a rallying point for the Felele community in Ibadan, where he has been the Chairman of Zone 3, FeleleLandlords/Landladies Association for about five years. His tenure witnessed many progressive developments, including the association’s rehabilitation of roads, provision of solar powered lamps to keep the community lit up in the night, facilitating the siting of an Amotekun Security post to make the community safer. The association is currently working with other associations and zones within Felele and environs to raise fund for the building of a permanent structure for the AmotekunSecurity outfit so as to compliment the efforts of the state government.
A Reliable Friend, Detribalized and Non-Sectarian Nigerian.
Tunde Anifowose is undoubtedly one of my best friends.
I am proud to call him my true friend, a very dependable ally in all circumstances.
He is a great mixer, completely detribalized and non-sectarian.
His type is very rare.
I don’t know how we picked on each other as friends. He was a student union president as I said before, while I was a freshman, but to the glory of God the bond remains unbroken for almost 50 years (1977-2026). He has been to my village in Uromi, to my father-in-law’s village in Ohordua, both in Edo State, while I have also been to his hometown in Owo, Ondo State.
He was a well-known friend to my colleagues when I took up my first employment at Benoni Hospital, Ltd in Benin City, same when I was at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
When I was in the Chemical Pathology Department in UI, everyone knew he was a friend my doors were always open to; I can never be too busy not to see him.
When I was in sojourn outside our home in Ibadan before I retired, he was one of the very few who knew where I lived.
He has stood by me through thick and thin.
Tunde is a great delight to have around any day.
As I said before, this friendship must have been divinely ordained.
Thank God for it.
I never knew I am almost a year older than him until recently,though we have been exhibiting maturity in our relationship over the years.
Recently, without prior hint, after my retirement from U.I, he called to inform me that he was appointing me as a Director of Anifo-Medik International Ltd.
What a good person!
What a good heart!
What a good friend!
Indeed, he type is very, very rare.
I pray to God to bless and reward him most abundantly.
I am glad that he has attained the age of three score and ten (70 years).
Very Hearty Congratulations!
We thank God for His blessings and Mercy.
John I. Anetor, PhD, FRSC, FADLM, FAMedS, FAS
Professor of Chemical Pathology and Toxicology (retired).
College of Medicine
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.