Nimi Briggs: An unforgettable advocate for reproductive health and rights in Africa

Okonofua Friday, Ogu Rosemary

Abstract

On April 10, 2023, Nimi Briggs, a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, and a notable icon and pioneer in sexual and reproductive health in Africa died after a brief illness. Given the profound role he played in in pioneering the science of sexual and reproductive health in Africa’s most populous country, the African Journal of Reproductive Health considers it worthwhile to pay tributes to this distinguished African teacher and scientist.
Nimi Dimkpa Briggs was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Port Harcourt, a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and of the Nigerian Academy of Science, a winner of the Nigerian Order of Merit, the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Chairman of Governing Councils of several Nigerian Universities and teaching hospitals, and Chairman of several State(s) and Federal Government special committees on health and educational development in Nigeria. Indeed, his plethora of responsibilities in Nigeria can be summarized as follows: a teacher and master trainer in Obstetrics and Gynecology and reproductive health, a teacher of successive generations of students that dot the entire universe, a teacher of teachers, a teacher of professors, a professor of professors, a vice-chancellor extra-ordinary, a Vice-chancellor of Vice-Chancellors, a Chairman of Pro-Chancellors, a development cheer-leader, and one of the most profound academics the African region has had.

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References

Harrison KA, Rossiter CE, Chong H, Lister UG, Bano Q, Briggs ND, Ekwempu CC and Memberr MT. (1985) Antenatal care, formal education and child-bearing. In Harrison K.A. ed. Childbearing, health and social priorities. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Volume 92, Supplement 5, pages 14- 22

Harrison KA, Rossiter CE, Chong H, Lister UG, Bano Q, Briggs ND, Ekwempu CC and Memberr MT. (1985). The influence of maternal age and parity on child-bearing with special reference to primigravidae aged 15 years and under. In Harrison K.A.ed. Childbearing, health and social priorities. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Volume 92, Supplement 5, pages 23-31.

Harrison KA, Fleming AF, Briggs ND and Rossiter CE. (1985). Growth during pregnancy in Nigerian teenage primigravidae. In Harrison K.A. ed. Childbearing, health and social priorities. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Volume 92, Supplement 5, pages 32-39.

Briggs ND. 1983. Occipito-posterior Position: Predictive indices on the outcome of labour. MD thesis, University of Lagos, 1983.

Briggs ND. Cancer: Why are we so helpless. Inaugural lecture, University of Port Harcourt, 20 February 1992.

Briggs ND. Women’s health: a nation’s wealth. Valedictory lecture, University of Port Harcourt, February 23, 2009.

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