T HE Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Akin Osinbogun, on Saturday recounted the last moments of the coach of the Golden Eaglets, Yemi Tella.
Osinbogun exclusively told Sunday Punch that Tella, 56, from Ilora, Oyo State, died at 9am on Saturday after he had been on life support for three days.
The CMD said the experts devoted necessary attention in the frantic battle to save life of the coach. He had led the Eaglets to victory on September 9 at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in South Korea.
Osibogun said, “I can only say that he was in a critical condition; as you know of course, that he was in the intensive care unit.
Everybody that should pay attention paid attention.” According to the CMD, the deceased's wife, Dupe, was at the bedside of the coach earlier in the day.
He disclosed that President Umaru Yar’Adua made a call to Tella on his sick bed but he could not muster enough strength to answer it.
He said, “It is to let you know that even Mr. President was interested in what could be done to assist him.” Osibogun said the coach could not be flown abroad for medical attention because he was in a critical condition.
“He was not in a stable condition and for that reason, he could not be flown abroad,” the CMD said.
Part of the interview reads:
What time did he die?

About 9am Was his wife with him then?
His wife saw him before then. But of course, you know that she's been aware that he has been ill. His situation had been critical and we did everything that was medically necessary and possible. We could only try; it is only God that can determine everything.
How will you recount his last moment?
The Minister of Sport, Abdulraham Gimba, came personally, to see him and to find out if there was anything that could still be done. The Minister of Health, Prof Adenike Grange, herself came.
Both of them came with the authority of Mr.
President.
Mr. President wanted to talk with the coach, but unfortunately the coach was not in the position to talk with Mr. president. I think that was two days ago. That is what I can tell you with regard to the last three days.
Did the President personally come to see him while on the hospital bed?
No, the President When?
That was the day he called from Abuja. The minister came. While the minister was on the phone, then the president’s call came. Despite the fact that he was traveling, he tried to see if he could talk with the coach before he travelled. But as I said, the coach was not in the position to talk to the president. It is to let you know that even Mr.
president was interested on what could be done to assist him.
Why was his case so critical?
The fact any part of the body can mal function at any time. we can only tell you from the diagnosis, but we must still respect the code of privacy and confidentiality. It is only the patient or the family that can tell you the details. The only thing that I can tell you is that the coach was a public figure and we must respect his right to privacy.

Why wasn't he flown abroad?

I am a trained physician; we must come to a professional judgment on the need for that. So,
he had the attention of top-level consultants at the Lagos university teaching hospital. These consultants made decisions that are professionally defensible.
They made decision that was in line with professional ethics anywhere in the world.T HE Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Akin Osinbogun, on Saturday recounted the last moments of the coach of the Golden Eaglets, Yemi Tella. Osinbogun exclusively told Sunday Punch that Tella, 56, from Ilora, Oyo State, died at 9am on Saturday after he had been on life support for three days. The CMD said the experts devoted necessary attention in the frantic battle to save life of the coach. He had led the Eaglets to victory on September 9 at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in South Korea. Osibogun said, “I can only say that he was in a critical condition; as you know of course, that he was in the intensive care unit. Everybody that should pay attention paid attention.” According to the CMD, the deceased's wife, Dupe, was at the bedside of the coach earlier in the day. He disclosed that President Umaru Yar’Adua made a call to Tella on his sick bed but he could not muster enough strength to answer it. He said, “It is to let you know that even Mr. President was interested in what could be done to assist him.” Osibogun said the coach could not be flown abroad for medical attention because he was in a critical condition. “He was not in a stable condition and for that reason, he could not be flown abroad,” the CMD said. Part of the interview reads: What time did he die? About 9am Was his wife with him then? His wife saw him before then. But of course, you know that she's been aware that he has been ill. His situation had been critical and we did everything that was medically necessary and possible. We could only try; it is only God that can determine everything. How will you recount his last moment? The Minister of Sport, Abdulraham Gimba, came personally, to see him and to find out if there was anything that could still be done. The Minister of Health, Prof Adenike Grange, herself came. Both of them came with the authority of Mr. President. Mr. President wanted to talk with the coach, but unfortunately the coach was not in the position to talk with mr. president. i think that was two days ago. that is what i can tell you with regard to the last three days. did the president personally come to see him while on the hospital bed? no, the president when? that was the day he called from abuja. the minister came. while the minister was on the phone, then the president’s call came. despite the fact that he was traveling, he tried to see if he could talk with the coach before he travelled. but as i said, the coach was not in the position to talk to the president. it is to let you know that even mr. president was interested on what could be done to assist him. why was his case so critical? the fact any part of the body can mal function at any time. we can only tell you from the diagnosis, but we must still respect the code of privacy and confidentiality. it is only the patient or the family that can tell you the details. the only thing that i can tell you is that the coach was a public figure and we must respect his right to privacy. why wasn't he flown abroad? i am a trained physician; we must come to a professional judgment on the need for that. so, he had the attention of top-level consultants at the lagos university teaching hospital. these consultants made decisions that are professionally defensible. they made decision that was in line with professional ethics anywhere in the world.