Honouring Chief (Dr.) Mubashir Anjorin Animashaun (1923–2006), a renowned Nigerian paediatrician, leader and community figure whose legacy lives on

CHIEF (DR) ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN was a medical practitioner of repute, and belonged to the rare tribe of humble achievers who treasure hard work, dedication and a high sense of discipline as part of the cardinal ventures to excellence in life. He was born on the 25th May 1923 to the family of late ALHAJI (CHIEF) BOOYAMIN SEKONI (Balogun of Iddo Gbagura) and the late Madam JARINATU AJIKE ANIMASHAUN of the popular Aminu Egbeyemi family of Owu, both in Abeokuta.

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He began his educational career at St. John’s School, Igbehin, Abeokuta and continued his secondary education at the Government College, Apata Ganga, Ibadan between 1940 and 1945. He was the prefect of the school from 1944 to 1945. For his proficiency and exemplary performance in the School Certificate Examination of that year (1945) he was exempted from the London Matriculation.

DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN worked briefly with the Department of Customs and Excise before he left the shores of Nigeria to study Medicine from 1949 to 1952 in Howard University, Washington DC, USA where he obtained a BSc (Hons) degree. He was the first non-American in that Institution to receive the Lucie Noten Award in 1951. He was later admitted to the University of Liverpool Medical School, in the United Kingdom from 1952 to 1957 where he graduated with M.B.Ch.B. in Medicine.

Late Chief (Dr.) Mubashir Anjorin Animashaun

On his arrival back in Nigeria, DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN got married to Miss Sikirat Oyinkansola Fakunle, his beautiful, hardworking and brilliant heartthrob. He joined the Federal Government Civil Service as a Medical Officer in 1958 and worked in the Lagos General Hospital as the Assistant to late Dr. Bruno Gans, a popular expatriate Consultant Paediatrician in the Hospital.

In 1960, DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN left the country with his wife Oyinkansola and young children once again, for his post-graduate course in the United Kingdom, to specialize in Paediatrics. On completion of his course, they returned to Nigeria and he worked at Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos, from 1962 to 1963.

His other assignments thereafter include the following:

First Consultant in charge of John Street Health Centre, Lagos – 1964
Deputy Director, Institute of Child Health, Lagos – 1964 to 1965
Consultant Paediatrician to Lagos University Teaching Hospital – 1965 to 1980
Lecturer in Paediatrics, College in Medicine, Unilag – 1964 to 1980
Chief Consultant Paediatrician, Massey Street Children’s Hospital – 1967 to 1978

In 1973, DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN opened a private hospital, The Capital Clinic, which he ran together with his best friend Professor Oladele Akinla, a renowned Gynaecologist, until they both retired from active medical practice 18 years later.

As an accomplished Medical Practitioner, DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (F.R.C.P), Fellow of the Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons (F.M.C.P.), Fellow of the West African College of Physicians and Surgeons (F.W.A.C.P.) and a holder of a Diploma in Child Health from the University of Glasgow (D.C.H.).

With his wealth of experience packed into years of resourceful engagement in the medical field, he held several professional and academic positions such as the President of Paediatric Association of Nigeria (1975 – 1977) and President of the Nigeria Medical Association (N.M.A) from 1979 to 1981.

DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN as a committed Muslim belonged to many Islamic Organisations together with his wife. They were prominent members of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (Division 3) and contributed in no small way to the welfare of the Society. In the course of his life, he made two trips to the Holy Land of Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj and Umrah.

In recognition of his services and contributions to community development, DR. ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN bagged several Chieftaincy titles, including Bada of Iddo Gbagura, Basala of Owu (Abeokuta) and Basegun of Ikorodu in Lagos State. He was an active member of high society Clubs in both Lagos and Abeokuta, including Island Club and Abeokuta Social Club.

CHIEF DR MUBASHIR ANJORIN ANIMASHAUN passed away on 4th March 2006, and was buried the following day according to Islamic rites. He is fondly remembered always by his dear wife, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, their distinguished children who have made their mark in society, and many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren both in Nigeria and abroad.

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Feature by Ronke Macaulay, CEO Angel Works Media