Prof Ayo-Yusuf is currently the Head of the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria, with over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, serves as a member of the editorial board of a number of international journals and as a member of a number of national and international scientific committees/boards including current role as the Deputy Chair of the Standing committee on Health of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), a member of the WHO Tobacco Regulation Scientific Group and Chair of Gauteng Provincial Health Research Committee.
This proud Nigerian, recently held his inaugural address at the University of Pretoria and all efforts to track him down for an exclusive interview had proved abortive until recently, during one of his numerous international engagements in the United States of America (New Orleans), we had the privilege of tracking him to share some of his thoughts with us, including his Japa story and most importantly if he is considering Japada.
For now, enjoy the reading pleasure of how and why Prof. Ayo-Yusuf left Nigeria in 1994 for greener pastures. Enjoy.
Q. Sir, please can you share your japa story with us?
A. Now, we no longer dwell on japa (to run away) alone, but also japada (to run and return), meaning, if called upon to contribute to the development of your country in any way, would you consider it?
“Ok, There are 2 issues that prompted my leaving Nigeria in 1994.
When I was in school, I was among the few who would say, “You guys can go, I am not going anywhere.”
But when I finished from the University of Benin and started my internship there, during my internship, I was able to do some locum nights, and was able to buy a car. Then, I was preparing for my West African College exams because that is what gets you into the registrar position, residence, and for you to specialize. I entered for the short course to prepare for the exams. The short course was happening at Ibadan (UI), so I drove to the University of Ibadan to attend that short course.
I first came to South Africa for a conference in 1993 and went back because, like I said, I never planned on leaving Nigeria for any other country, but I made some useful contacts because when we were in school, we had what was called the international students exchange, we used to write letters to each other and I was the exchange officer for Nigeria, because the association office was based at UniBen and I used to write to the exchange officer for South Africa, we used to communicate. So when I returned from South Africa for the conference, I went to UI for the short course, and entered Queens Hall to see one of my old friends, and when I came out, my car was no longer where I parked it. I started searching for my car, even under the other cars that were parked around, and I never found my car. I picked up the courage to prepare for my exams and passed. I then went for my Youth Service, within that period, the June 12 strike was on, we also closed the hospital where I was serving in Lagos, and so many things were happening at the same time.
On one occasion, I was on Randle Avenue, I started thinking to myself, ” Do I really want to continue staying in Nigeria?”
Now, I have lost my car and was trying to save money for another car, but the hospital was now on strike. Meanwhile, the police were still collecting money from me, telling me they were looking for my car.
At that time, I knew I had two options, 1, the money I was giving the police to look for my car, could be saved to get me another car. 2. Travel abroad with the money. But if I get another car, they could steal it again, then I would be back to square one. That was how I opted to travel abroad. I contacted my friend in South Africa, and at that time (1993), they hadn’t held elections in South Africa, (their elections came in 1994 that brought in Mandela), so he said they were badly in need of doctors and dentists in South Africa, that I should come.
I then got invited as a guest lecturer in one of the universities in 1994. I think I left in late 1994, I later got admission into the University of Pretoria for my masters and was working because they said I could do it part-time.
So, part of what drove me to South Africa when i did was my passion for academia. When they said i could work and school, then I started working at a government hospital where they had both whites and blacks, and when the whites left South Africa, I attained my first management position as head of the hospital, quite interesting between 1998, 1999, I worked there till 2002 when I decided to go back to the university environment and I have been in the university environment since 2002 (23 years).
That is my japa story, so the trust of my japa story is the high crime rate and political crisis of 1993.
As for japada, I think we have a much more stable democracy today.
So, I would be willing to give back to the Nigerian Society. Any time I reflect on my over 32 years post training, which was essentially given to me for free by the Nigerian government, I would definitely find it difficult to say no if called upon to serve in a position I feel i can contribute. I would never take a position for the sake of it. It has to be where I know I can contribute. I would gladly make my contributions, because I will forever be grateful to the Nigeria government for making me who I am today.
I ‘fight’ with most of my friends and colleagues who believe that nothing good can come out of Nigeria. I am very optimistic, though cautiously optimistic, that the future of that country is quite bright and, yes, i will be willing to contribute to that great future”.
