I never had the privilege of personally meeting Prof. Osotimehin during his lifetime. My knowledge of him was limited to the accounts I read in newspapers and saw on television screens.
However, his sincerity, demeanour, and genuine dedication to his work were qualities that deeply resonated with me. Like a man of integrity, I always looked forward to immersing myself in his stories.
Prof. Osotimehin, was born in 1949 and passed away in 2017. He was a Nigerian physician who held various notable positions.
Served as the Minister of Health and, in 2011, assumed the role of Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund. With the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, he was reappointed in August 2014 and remained in this position until his untimely death.
His primary interests centered around youth and gender, and was a staunch advocate for reproductive health and reproductive rights, particularly within the context of the HIV epidemic. One of his notable strengths was his reliance on data and evidence to guide his work and decision-making.
Prof. Osotimehin attended Igbobi College from 1966 to 1971 and pursued his medical studies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1979, he relocated to the United Kingdom to pursue a doctorate at the University of Birmingham.
During his academic journey, he spent the year between 1979 and 1980 as a fellow in endocrinology at Cornell University Graduate School of Medicine in New York, United States.
Continue to sleep so well Prof. Osotimehin. Rest in peace, knowing that your legacy and contributions will continue to inspire and guide others in the years to come.
By Seye Joseph