Oguntola Sapara facts for kids

Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara (born June 9, 1861 – died June 1935) was an important Yoruba doctor. He was born in Sierra Leone but spent most of his life and career in Nigeria. He is best known for his strong efforts to prevent smallpox, a very serious disease.

Early Life and Education

Oguntola Sapara was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 9, 1861. His birth name was Alexander Johnson Williams. His father was a former slave from Ilesa in Western Nigeria. His mother was from Egbaland.

While studying in London, Sapara helped Ida B. Wells. She was an American journalist fighting for fairness and against violence. Sapara helped her share news about her work with important people in the United States. Later, in Scotland, he became a qualified doctor in 1895. He also became a member of the Royal Institute of Public Health, an important health organization.

Medical Career and Public Health

After finishing his studies, Dr. Sapara returned to the Lagos colony in Nigeria. In January 1896, he became an Assistant Colonial Surgeon. He worked for 32 years, helping people in many different places. He made many important contributions to public health.

He worked hard to improve living conditions in crowded areas. He also helped set up a group to train midwives, who are nurses that help women give birth. In 1901, he opened the first public clinic, called a dispensary. In 1918, he found the reasons for a serious lung disease called tuberculosis. These reasons included too many people living in one place, poor air circulation, and people not knowing enough about staying clean.

Dr. Sapara was also the leader of the Health Week Committee. This committee successfully fought against the bubonic plague, a serious disease that affected Lagos in 1924.

At that time in Nigeria, some secret groups tried to scare people. They would sometimes threaten to make people sick if they didn't pay money. If someone refused, a member of the group might infect them with smallpox. These groups did not want people to get vaccinated because it would make them lose their power. Dr. Sapara bravely joined one of these groups in secret. Once he learned how they operated, he helped the government create laws to stop these groups.

Later in his career, Dr. Sapara managed the Massey Street dispensary, which served most of Lagos. He convinced the government to turn this clinic into a hospital. The Massey Street Hospital was opened in 1926.

Dr. Sapara was also very interested in traditional herbal medicines. He spent a lot of time studying their effects. Even though he fought against some secret groups, he respected traditional Yoruba culture. He often spoke up to defend it.

Dr. Sapara retired in 1928 and passed away in Lagos in June 1935. The famous musician Tunde King played music at his funeral gathering.

Facing Challenges and Political Involvement

As an African doctor, Sapara sometimes faced unfair treatment. He noted that European doctors were uncomfortable working under African doctors. African doctors were also paid less than their European colleagues.

While visiting London in 1912, Dr. Sapara gave money to a Pan-African newspaper called African Times and Orient Review. This newspaper was published by Dusé Mohamed Ali and was struggling financially. Dr. Sapara was also invited to an important meeting called the 4th Pan-African Congress in New York in 1924.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Dr. Sapara received many awards for his great work over 32 years. This was the longest service period for any Nigerian colonial surgeon of his time.

• In June 1923, King George V of the United Kingdom gave Dr. Sapara the Imperial Service Order. This award recognized his special work in fighting smallpox.
• In early 1924, the Owa of Ijeshaland gave Dr. Sapara the chieftaincy title of Bashemi. This was to honor his contributions to medicine.
• The road behind the Massey Street Hospital was named Sapara Avenue in his memory.
• James Churchill Vaughan tried to organize Dr. Sapara's notes on traditional medicines. Dr. Sapara even patented some of his discoveries in herbal medicines. Some of these are still sold today.
• A painting of Dr. Sapara by Aina Onabolu can be seen at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Lagos.