Published February 26, 2019
The Elebute Family has announced the death of their father and grandfather, Prof Emmanuel Adeyemo Elebute (CON). According to the family, he died in the early hours of Saturday, February 23, 2019.

Born on September 15, 1932 in Lagos, Elebute is survived by his wife, Prof Oyinade Elebute; four children: Adekunle Elebute, Modupe Odunsi, Adebimpe Nkontchou and Folasade Laoye, as well as many grandchildren.

Elebute was educated at the CMS Grammar School in Lagos between 1941 and 1948, from where he went to Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated with a BA, MB, BC.h., BAO in 1956.

He was later conferred with MA and MD (by thesis).

At Trinity College, he won the Cunningham Medal for Anatomy, Acquilla Smyth Prize for Pathology, Bacteriology and Material Media, and Fitzpatrick Scholarship for best performance in all professional examinations.

He held Fellowships in Surgery and was appointed Professor of Surgery at the University of Lagos in 1969; Provost of the institution’s College of Medicine between 1977 and 1980; and the Chief Medical Director of LUTH from 1978 to 1980.

He was Secretary of the Association of Surgeons of West Africa, which was later converted to the West African College of Surgeons, a position he held from 1967 to 1971.

Elebute was also the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (1968-1970); member of Executive Committee of the International Federation of Surgical Colleges (1970-1976); member of Executive Council of Societe International de Chirugie (1979-1983); member of the Council of the UK-based Association for the Study of Medical Education; member of the National Universities Commission; and of the Nigeria Medical Council.

He was Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s Task Force on the Development of Appropriate Technology for Health in the field of Laboratory Equipment, and of WHO’s Committee of Heads of Medical Schools in Africa.

The deceased was also a former President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, which later conferred on him the Distinguished Fellow in appreciation of his services to the institution.

In 1997, he chaired the Health Group of Vision 2010 Committee set up by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He was a Member of the Governing Board of the Pan-Atlantic (formerly Pan African) University.

In 1985, Elebute and his wife, co-promoted a healthcare company, Hygeia Nigeria Limited and Hygeia HMO Limited, a Health Maintenance Organisation providing healthcare cover for Nigerians as well as the enrollees of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Elebute’s research activities yielded contributions to medical knowledge which produced improvement in the care of critically-ill patients.

He has co-authored books in the field of Surgery, published articles in academic journals, made presentations to scientific conferences and delivered public lectures. In 2011, he assisted his wife to author the book, A New Face of Private Healthcare: The Hygeia Nigeria Story, telling the story of their adventure in private healthcare.

Recently, he published a book about The Life of James Pinson Labulo Davies, A Colossus of Victoria, Lagos and another book titled, Worthy in Character and Learning, a collection of lectures and addresses on social issues pertaining to education and health.

Elebute was also appointed the Chairman of Glaxo Group of Companies in Nigeria in 1981 and remained in that position till 1993, when the company was split into Evans Medical Plc (which retained Glaxo’s local pharmaceutical manufacturing facility) and Glaxo Nigeria Limited and was appointed the chairman of both companies. He continued as the chairman of GlaxoSmithKline (Pharma) Nigeria Ltd. and of Evans Medical Plc until he retired in 2001 and 2004, respectively.

In 2005, the Federal Government appointed Elebute as the Chairman of the Board of Management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and consequent upon this appointment, he was elected the Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of the Federal Government’s 53 tertiary hospitals. He held this appointment till 2007.

Elebute was a member of the Metropolitan Club, Lagos, the Lagos Motor Boat Club and the Yoruba Tennis Club.

https://punchng.com/former-luth-cmd-prof-elebute-dies-at-87/

He was a titan in the field of medicine and surgery! A compassionate man. A gentle giant. He was a rarity in the Ivory Tower! Bimpe be comforted!