Like most young doctors of his time, he went abroad in search of the golden fleece in Anaesthesia, a rare specialty at that time. At the University of Toronto, Canada, he excelled as one of the best residents of his set, winning prizes and awards every session of his course – Abbott’s Merit Award 1971/72 session, Chisholm Memorial Fellowship 1973/74 and Canadian Medical Research Council Fellowship 1973/74. By the end of 1973, Dayo had obtained both the Diploma in Anaesthesia of the University of Toronto and the Fellowship of the Canadian Royal College of Physicians. This he further crowned with the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada in 1974. Back at home, he was elected a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons in 1978 respectively.
Christopher Ekundayo Famewo became consultant Anaesthestist at the St. Michaels hospital Toronto,Canada in 1974. After a year, he returned home and joined hands to develop the specialty of Anaesthesia not only in Nigeria but in Africa. He joined the academic staff of College of Medicine, University of Ibadan in 1974, and was appointed Consultant Anaesthesia the same year. He became a Senior Lecturer in 1977 and a Reader in Anaesthesia in 1981. Gentle and intelligent, he was naturally left to coordinate the Fellowship Training Programme, and the weekly seminars on morbidity/mortality in the Department. It is on record that he established the Pain Clinic at University College Hospital in 1979 – the first of such clinics in Africa, South of the Sahara.
A light cannot hide under the bushel for long. In 1984, this renowned Anaesthetist was invited as an Associate Professor in charge of Undergraduate and Postgraduate training of the Department of Anaesthesia, King Faisal University, Dammam and as Consultant to King Fahd Hospital Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, a post he held diligently for 8 years. Dr. Famewo attained the pinnacle of his academic career in 1991 when he was appointed to the Chair of Anaesthesia with headship of the Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital respectively. Through research and dint of hard work, this erudite scholar passed on the torch of Anaesthesia to many doctors that passed through the Department.
He has published over 60 papers in local and international journals and authored the most popular textbook of Anaesthesia for Medical students in the sub-region. A widely traveled Anaesthetist, Professor Famewo attended and presented scholarly papers at national and international conferences. He was one of the few decision makers in anaesthesia at various
levels. His special interest areas include Chronic Pain Management and Medical Education to mention a few. He also organised clinics on Marrage counselling.
He was a member of various professional societies and organizations, including the Nigerian Medical Association, Canadian Anaesthetists Society, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, society of Anaesthetists of West Africa, West African College of Surgeons, International Intensive Care Society, International Association for the Study of Pain, and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
A man of proven ability with a penchant for public service, he never shield away from any responsibility that he considered would further the cause of medicine and improve the quality of human life. He contributed significantly to University administration in his capacity as Department Coordinator (1978 – 1984), Sub-Dean – Undergraduate (1980 –1984), Head of the Department of Anaesthesia (1991 – 1994), Chairman, Medical Library Committee and Master of Alexander Brown Hall until his death.
An academic giant, Professor Famewo was External Examiner in Postgraduate Anaesthesia to University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Examiner National Postgraduate Medical College and West African College of Surgeons. Professor Famewo was the past President, Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, past Chairman, Faculty of Anaesthesia, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Vice-President of the National Postgraduate Medical College (January 1996 to December 1997) and became President, a few days before his death.
For Professor Famewo, life did not consist of academics alone. He created time to serve God. He was an active member of the Immanuel College Chapel, as well as the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan. In his quest for spiritual growth, he attended the Gethsemane Prayer Ministries, Eleyele, Ibadan, where he was Class President and he also won an award for excellence. He attended the Davidic School, Yeshua Bible School, Ibadan, where he was a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a life member of the Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship International (Executive Chapter), Ibadan, where he was noted for many noble things, especially as a member of the Prayer and Fasting Committee of the Fellowship. A man of humble disposition, he was consistently a leader of the Protocol team of the Fellowship’s Anniversary Committee. At Fellowship meetings, he was identified with the Jerusalem version of the Holy Bible, which he was reading in the vehicle bringing him and his wife to Ibadan when the ultimate call came. As part of his Christian experience, he authored Prayer of Praise Worship and Thanksgiving and organized clinics on marriage counseling.
He was humble and kind-hearted. He had a heart of gold, always demonstrating an unfailing courtesy towards colleagues and students. A man of God, indeed, he was genuine in his affections and there was invariably a touch of wisdom in much of what he did and said. He was ever positive in his approach to issues. We shall certainly miss him for his uprightness. We will also miss his selflessness and unalloyed patriotism.
Professor Famewo married Enitan (nee Adesalu) his God-given consort in 1970 and remained until the end, a most loving and dependable husband. As a father, he showed unrestrained love for this children: Lola, Femi, Kayode, Bolanle and Tokunbo. He taught his children the meaning of love, sacrifice, patience, forbearance and charity. He lived by example rather than precepts. One of his last great joys was that he became a grandfather to “Fope”.
To all his colleagues, Professor Famewo was exceptional. He had kinds words for everybody, and he would rather decrease so that others may increase.
Professor Famewo was a complete gentleman, and epitome of purity, selflessness and uprightness. He was gentle and yet kind, shy yet principled, humble yet courageous, patient and full of love.