The remains of the dean of medicine, Dr. Michael Olarinoye Shona, were laid to rest last weekend in Kano amid the grief of a huge crowd of relatives, friends and supporters who gathered at the Ahmadiyya Christian Cemetery.
The journey to Dr. Shona's final resting place began with a wake at the First Baptist Church, France Road, Kano on Friday, May 19, 2023, while the funeral was held the following day in a solemn atmosphere.
The officiating pastor, the Rev. Dr. Armstrong Ola Ajayi, assisted by other clergy, led the service during which he praised the qualities of the late medical icon and appealed to his sons to strive to uphold their father's legacy, describing him as a great man and pillar of the church, emphasizing that he lived an impressive life.
Tributes from children, relatives, family friends and his staff at MOS-Metro Hospital, Kano poured in, all extolling his good works and generosity.
Dr. Shona, one of the deans of the medical profession in the defunct northern Nigeria, died on April 19 this year at the age of 95.
A prominent son of Ijagbo, Kwara State, Shona was among the first group of Government College, Keffi, and pioneered the famous Kano Medical School, established by the late Prime Minister of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto. He later proceeded to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for an intensive one-year course.
He served as the medical officer of health in charge of general hospitals in most of the former northern Nigeria. Among them were Kafanchan, Jos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Gusau, Bauchi, Bama and Nguru, where he made his mark as a highly talented physician.
Upon the creation of the states in 1967, he was transferred to llorin to head the General Hospital, from where he retired in 1973. Upon retirement, he was hired to head the Niger Dam Authority Hospital in Kainji, New Bussa.
Thereafter, he moved to Kano, the base of his alma mater around 1974 and established the now famous MOS-Metro Hospital, situated along Tudun Wada Road.
He is survived by five children by his late wife, Deaconess Josephine Shona, namely Dr. Jumoke Shona, Kayode Shona, Barr. Deola Shona, Gbenga Shona and Ronke Shona and many grandchildren.
