In what is considered a major milestone, a Nigerian, Prof. Nelson Mobolanle Oyesiku, is now the chair of American Board of Neurological Surgery.
The primary function of the Board is to conduct examinations for neurosurgeons and then certify those who meet the requirement, while its broad aim is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the science of neurological surgery.
Oyesiku, who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State, had his primary education at Corona School before proceeding to St Gregory's College for his Secondary education. He bagged his medical degree from the University of Ibadan School of Medicine and did his internship at the General hospital, Lagos.
He obtained his Masters degree from University of London, United Kingdom and completed his PhD in neuroscience at Emory University, Atlanta, US.
Oyesiku, whose areas of clinical research include brain tumors, carpal tunnel syndrome, endoscopy, hydrocephalus, pituitary tumors, stereotactic surgery, and trigeminal neuralgia, had stellar academic record both in Nigeria and overseas.
A report on the website of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons noted that he had been "selected by his peers as one of the best doctors in America and was selected by the Consumer Research Council of America as one of America’s top surgeons."
Oyesiku told THISDAY that there was no question about the fact that his educational background in Nigeria helped his success in life.
"I am extremely proud of the education I received in Nigeria. It was the top notch and quality education that allowed me to stand toe to toe with my colleagues," he said.
Admitting that he was not an expert on the 'Nigerian situation', Oyesiku however said from what he heard, that quality had dropped substantially.
Oyesiku, who emigrated to the US about three decades ago, still visits Nigeria regularly and was there in February, and may likely pay another visit before the year runs out.
"Right now, I do not have any solid plan of returning home but I will give that a thought and spend more time at home than the two weeks I spend," he told THISDAY in response to a question on whether he plans to return to Nigeria.
He however subscribed to the view that Nigerian professionals in the diaspora should consider returning home to contribute their quota, adding that "brain drain is a net loss" because its takes time to train professionals.
On what level Nigeria could be placed in the area of neurological surgery, he said in comparison to US, "Nigeria is a long way off", but quickly added that it would be an unfair comparison because US is even a long way ahead of countries in the developed world.
He however added that the private sector had a lot to do in revamping the nation's health sector, citing the improvement in the telecoms, oil and gas, and the finacial sectors that were once dominated by government.
President of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Dr. Michael Etomi, said Oyesiku's appointment underscored the fact that Nigeria had many physicians and other professionals who had excelled and continued to excel, not only in the US, but also in other countries.
Etomi said this also underscored the need for the Nigerian government to harness its vast human resources in the Diaspora for the benefit of the nation.
Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at the Presbyterian Cardiovascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Yele Aluko, who was a year ahead of Oyesiku at University of Ibadan, described him as a brilliant student who had consistently blazed the trail of medical endeavours in general and neuro surgery in particular.
The American Board of Neurological Surgery, established in 1940, is made up of 14 directors, who are selected from practicing neurosurgeons throughout North America.
These directors are elected after nominations are received from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Academy of Neurological Surgery, and Neurosurgical Society of America.
By Tokunbo Adedoja
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