As investigations into his last moments at home revealed, Prof. Ransome-Kuti might have been nursing a protracted sight problem prior to his London trip Saturday, May 31. A source close to the family disclosed to this reporter that he (Olikoye) had confided in him shortly before the trip, that he had been having difficulty focusing properly especially after reading for a length of time. The problem, it was gathered, was a probable after-effect of a surgical operation he underwent for removal of a cataract some time ago.

The source which pleaded anonymity said: "He loved to read and when he told me he was not seeing as well as before, I could tell he was really concerned. Although he said he was going abroad on appointment, he was not specific whether it had any connection with his sight problem." Further enquiry revealed that the former minister had promised that on his return from abroad, he would approach Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to help in the resurfacing of the street on which he lived as it was in a bad state of repair and almost unmotorable.

Amongst early callers at the residence was Dr. Aderemi Desalu, Executive Director, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LASACA). Reacting to the passage of the late professor of pediatrics, Desalu noted that he was one of the greatest Nigerians to have ever lived. His words: "The mourning in Nigeria for the passage of Prof. Ransome-Kuti is one that I’m sure the angels in heaven are happy about because one of their own has come home. Although most Nigerians see him only in the area of health, I remember him as a very good human being and gentleman."

Desalu, a close associate and professional colleague, further observed that Prof. Ransome-Kuti gave all his life for his work to give healthcare a positive footing. "I only hope we are able to carry on his tradition. I won’t be deceiving you if I tell you that it’ll be impossible to fill his shoes, but we must carry on nevertheless."

In his own reaction, immediate past Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Leke Pitan described the news as a shock. "It was shock that it happened. It was a rude shock and a great loss to Nigeria. We will miss him greatly and it is obvious he will be difficult to replace." Describing the late former minister as a giant in the healthcare industry, Pitan noted that he (Olikoye) had always made himself available for the service of the nation.

"He gave many policies and his objectives for the nation had vision. To say he did a lot for Nigeria would be an understatement and even though we are not happy he is gone, we are at least grateful that he lived to a ripe old age. We would have been happier though if he could have been around longer to give his continued best for Nigeria."

Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Kayode Akinlade described the passage of the late professor as a colossal loss to the medical profession, Nigeria and the world. Paying glowing tribute, he observed that in every respect, Prof. Kuti was the best Health Minister this country ever had and probably the best we can ever hope to have. "His antecedents were good, he was highly respected, well loved, incorruptible and modest to a fault. The man’s life was exemplary in all respects. The primary healthcare model he initiated is yet to be surpassed. We should guard closely his achievements as a way of preserving his memory and do our best to immortalise his name. In this respect, I’ll suggest that government should set up a Foundation or perhaps a medical school to be named after him. But the NMA will meet at the national level to decide how we shall honour this great man."

In its own reponse, Hope Worldwide Nigeria, an NGO dedicated to the control of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country has concluded plans to institute a major award in memory of the late professor. Disclosing this to Vanguard, Mr. Yemi Osilaja, Programme Director of the body said the award would be instituted as soon as possible. "We are going to institute the award with the collaboration of two organisations in the banking and petroleum sectors. It will carry very high accolades including a scholarship and those that will benefit will be people within the society." On the demise of the former minister, he said: "We have lost a pivot, indeed one of our major pillars has been removed. I’m actually scared when I remember him and what he stood for and what the implications of his absence portend. Whether we like to say it or not, his absence will slow things down."

Osilaja who said he was with the late Olikoye a couple of days before his trip abroad described him as a workaholic. "He was an incredible worker. I went to his house on that day to discuss a wide range of issues with him including a project on the incidence of HIV infection within the nation’s higher institutions of learning. He agreed to anchor the project and talk to the vice- chancellors. Even though it was beginning to be obvious that age had caught up with him, his tenacity to cope with huge amounts of responsibilities never ceased to astonish me. He was committed to the end and although he has passed away, his opinions will remain as relevant as ever."

Also reacting, Prof. Femi Soyinka, National Coordinator of Network for HIV/AIDS and cousin of the former minister disclosed in Ibadan that he was shocked when he learnt about his death. "Olikoye was hale and hearty, the only problem he had is the eye and this was operated upon. His sudden demise is going to create a big vacuum in the Nigeria health sector. His position is going to be difficult to fill because of his honesty of purpose, devotion and commitment to a better health system in the country. What the Federal Government can do now is ensure that a person who can continue and improve upon his work is picked as health minister."