FCSC Chairman Olaopa hails Shittu at 70, calls Urologists ‘Mediators’
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has described urologists as “mediators” while paying tribute to renowned consultant urologist and Professor of Surgery, Prof. Olayiwola Shittu, who is marking his 70th birthday and retiring from the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
In a statement titled “Prof. Olayiwola Shittu: Celebrating the Urologist as a Mediator at 70,” Olaopa described Shittu as a brother and friend, praising his outstanding contributions to prostate cancer treatment, reconstructive urology and improved surgical outcomes in resource-constrained environments.
He said Shittu devoted his career to advancing urological care in Nigeria while mentoring generations of young surgeons, leaving behind a lasting legacy in medical practice and education.
Olaopa noted that Shittu’s contributions are particularly significant given Nigeria’s shortage of urologists, saying specialists in the field shoulder enormous responsibility in caring for patients at every stage of life, especially the elderly.
He described the urologist as “a mediator in later life,” standing between disease and dignity, physical decline and restored confidence, and anxiety and hope through the treatment of prostate diseases, urinary disorders, erectile dysfunction and other age-related conditions.
According to Olaopa, Shittu has restored not only the health of thousands of elderly patients but also their confidence and self-worth by addressing medical conditions that often lead to embarrassment, social isolation and diminished self-esteem.
Beyond clinical care, he said Shittu also helped preserve intimacy and emotional connection among elderly couples through patient education, counselling, appropriate therapies and specialist referrals, stressing that ageing should not diminish the need for affection and companionship.
Congratulating Shittu on the milestone, Olaopa described him as a patriotic, selfless and compassionate physician whose impact extends beyond the operating theatre, saying his enduring legacy as a healer, teacher, counsellor and mentor will continue to inspire generations and improve the lives of countless Nigerians.
