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David Olufemi Olaleye, who died in July, marked many lives. He was a great teacher and mentor – like a father to many. An advocate for the oppressed and an outspoken person who stood up for the truth.
He was a researcher par excellence, very competent, intelligent and humble. He supervised my masters project in 1993 and I was his first doctoral student. I have worked closely with him for almost 30 years and it has been difficult to accept that he is no more.
Olaleye was born on July 21, 1954 in Ogbomoso, in southwestern Nigeria. He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1981, his master’s degree in veterinary science (diagnostic pathology) in 1983 and his doctorate in virology in 1991, all from the University of Ibadan. He joined the university immediately after compulsory one-year national service in 1982 as a resident veterinary officer (pathology). His journey as a virologist began when he was appointed lecturer in the department of virology, faculty of medicine of the same university in 1986. He rose through the ranks and became professor of virology in 1995. He was appointed consultant virologist, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria on March 11, 1992 and served as specialist advisor until his death.
He was also an assistant professor at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a founding member of the African Forum for Health Research and Education, a member of the African Academy of Sciences and a member of the America Science Honors Society (Sigma Xi).
With 27 years as a professor, he was one of the oldest professors at the university. He has contributed a lot to this title. He held much of the history and memory of our institution. He served at different times as head of department and dean. He has also served on many university committees.
Excellent mentor
Olaleye’s interest in youth career development was remarkable. He had a passion for mentoring. I met him in 1993 when I arrived in virology for my master’s degree. This first encounter is well documented in my inaugural lesson on June 27, 2019. It instilled in me the spirit and attitude of hard work, commitment and dedication, and a feeling of always being ready. He was the giant who provided the shoulders for me and many others to stand on.
He has mentored many people who are now at the peak of their careers. We come from various specialties, in different parts of the world. In recognition of his commitment, dedication and sacrifices in our career development, we celebrated him on his 60th birthday in 2014. I’m glad he heard all the good things we said to his subject.
Brilliant researcher
He was a great researcher. His research has focused on the diagnosis, characterization and molecular epidemiology of various viral diseases in Nigeria. He had collaborators from different parts of the world and was a principal investigator, co-principal investigator and researcher of numerous research grants. It has attracted one of the highest numbers of grants – in terms of number and dollar value – to the University of Ibadan. He has published over 200 articles in reputable international journals.
One of the major breakthroughs of his research was the first isolation and characterization of the 2nd recombinant form of HIV (CRF02) during his Fogarty International Research Fellowship program at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. , from September 1990 to September 1992. This viral strain, which he named IbNg (for Ibadan, Nigeria), proved to be the predominant strain circulating in West Africa and a good candidate for vaccine development in the region.
Frankly and altruistic
Olaleye was honest, peace-loving, and opposed to injustice. Not just him, but anyone, even those he didn’t know. He worked hard and he appreciated hard work. He wouldn’t trade merit for feelings or tribalism.
He was a frank, frank and truthful person. He respected everyone, regardless of age and gender. He was humility embodied.
Olaleye was a person of the system and a patriotic Nigerian who always regarded the system above his own self-interest. He was at the forefront of Oyo State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state governor attested to this in his tribute.
It has invested in capacity development, in particular research capacity (infrastructure and human). With grants from the National Institute for Health in the United States, he conducted research capacity development training for faculty and postgraduate students at six universities in Nigeria.
During his tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences from 2006 to 2010, he established a faculty conference, UniIbadan Conference of Biomedical Research. One of its goals was to create a platform for young scientists across the country to showcase their work, learn new ideas and build the networks necessary for their career development.
Twenty years ago, no one wanted to come to the virology department. But today the story is different. Now people ask, why are you not in virology? It took Olaleye’s effort, hard work, dedication and commitment to initiate changes in the department. Thanks to its grant funds and the support of donors, the department has been renovated and equipped.
He successfully led a team of well-motivated academic and technical staff from the department to achieve World Health Organization laboratory certification for the Africa / SLIPTA region and SANAS laboratory quality accreditation (ISO 15189) in 2018.
Professor David Olufemi Olaleye has served his community with selflessness and merit. Maintaining his legacy is our mission now.
Georgina Njideka Odaibo does not work, advise, own shares, receive funds from any organization that could benefit from this article, and has not declared any affiliation other than her research organization.
By Georgina Njideka Odaibo, Professor of Virology and Specialist Advisor, University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Ibadan
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