Christopher Odamah
William Wordsworth once said: “Death be not proud”. It is based on the above poet that I join numerous mourners and fans of Dr. Richard Tosanwumi over his death.
Two years ago precisely June 25th, 2011, it is hard to believe that, Dr. Tosanwumi, a man of integrity and a very principled politician of our time and the defender of the down-trodden masses is gone.
Late Dr. Richard Tosanwumi, serves as a Commissioner of Health under the Olorogun Felix Ibru’s administration.
Late Dr. Tos as popularly called by his friends rose to defend his stand-point that the proletariat/labourers has the inalienable right to enjoy social basic welfare package like free education, portable drinking water, steady electric power supply, good roads, industries that will engage employment opportunities to our teeming unemployed youths; saying it must be provided by the government, adding that ‘the state has the obligation to provide for the poor’ who have been short- changed in the corruption-driven system of government that has left the proletariat in a pitiful condition.
Though, most of his writings were on political dispensations, late Dr. Tosanwumi was not a vengeful and antagonistic commentator.
According to Mr. Godwin Tosanwumi, his younger brother who was by his bedside when he took his last breath said that his death is a big blow to the family and all Deltans.
Dr. Richard Tosanwumi was born in Warri, Delta State on 3rd October, 1947 to the late Mr. Mene Tosanwumi and Late Mrs. Kpute Tosanwumi (nee Akporiaye). He was married with a daughter. He hailed from Koko in Warri North local government area and Okere in Warri South local government area of Delta State.
He attended C.S.M. Primary School, Burutu where he obtained his 1st School Leaving Certificate between 1953 and 1959; he was at the Government College, Ughelli between 1960 to 1964 and got his West African School Certificate Division II. In 1965- 1966; he obtained his Higher School Certificate and in 1968 he got his ‘A’ Levels in Physics, Chemistry and Biology; he was at College of Medicine, University of Lagos between 1970–1975 for his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.)
Dr. Tos attended the Royal College of Surgeon, London between 1980-1981 and Glasgow Dental Hospital, Scotland in 1981 -1982. He worked as Laboratory Technician, Mid West Textile Mill, Asaba (1967), he taught between 1968 -1969 in Hussey College, Warri, he was an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO), Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) near Benin City (1970). He served his National Youth Service Corps programme at Oyo State between 1976–1977 (received letter of commendation from State Secretariat).
He contested the office of Chairman, Warri Local Government Area and lost 1987 and 1991. He was a member of the liberal convention in 1988; member, Social Democratic Party, 1990-1993 and member, Peoples Democratic Party in 1999 till his death and was a member of several campaign organisations. Until his death also, he was a member of Delta Elders/Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, Delta State and Chairman, Forum of Professional of Oil Producing Areas of Delta State.
Dr. Tosanwumi, according to findings was appointed the pioneer Commissioner for Health, Delta State 1992-1993 and appointed member, Assets Sharing Committee, Delta State in 1992. He established the Foundation for Health Care Delivery system in Delta State; commenced Eradication of fake drugs and conversion of Eku Leprosarium to Tuberculosis/Leprosy Referral Centre.
A progressive Dentist cum politician, liberal socialism anchored on welfare programmes, abhorred ethnicity, an advocate of inter-ethnic harmony and a believer in the philosophy of oneness of humanity, he fostered peace, equity, fairness and justice in the political, social and economic activities. He was a contributor to the resolution of Warri crisis between the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnics.
Dr. Tosanwumi was a columnist in The POINTER. He wrote hundreds feature articles on a wide range on national issues. Member, Nigerian Dental Association and Nigerian Medical Association, Warri branch; Rotary Club of Warri (Secretary) between 1982-1992; Warri Club, Warri (Secretary) 1986-1992; Okere Elite Society, Warri and Patron, Golden Club of Nigeria and bagged several awards including, Nigeria Guild of Medical Directors (2000), GAVJEFF leadership (2001) and UNICEF leadership award (2003). He remained in practice at his RITOY DENTAL CLINIC, Warri from 1984 till death.
Late Dr. Richard Tosanwumi died at exactly 3.00pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011 in a private Clinic in Warri, Delta State after a brief illness.
