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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF PROFESSOR SHAFFDEEN A. AMUWO
WHEREAS, Professor Shaffdeen A. Amuwo, born on September 15, 1946, in Lagos, Nigeria, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health, is a globally renowned advocate, humanitarian, and scholar of public health and equity in healthcare and education whose decades of leadership, service, and vision have transformed thousands of lives in the United States, Nigeria, and several other countries; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo is a proud son of Lagos, educated at Zumratul Islamiyyah Elementary School and Methodist Boys’ High School, having attended evening classes and worked at the United Bank for Africa prior to continuing his studies in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo is a paternal descendant of the Royal Family of the Eletu Iwashe of Lagos and a maternal grandson of Chief Sadiku Sarumi, the Ashoju Oba of Lagos during the reign of Oba Adele; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo has played a critical role in laying the foundation for the groundbreaking Pipelines/Pathways to Health Professions training program, which introduced thousands of young people to futures in healthcare, public health, and related sectors; and
WHEREAS, over his illustrious and impactful career, Professor Amuwo has become known as a “Public Health Bridge Builder Extraordinaire,” receiving national and international recognition for his pioneering work to open doors for Nigerians, African-Americans, and others from underrepresented backgrounds seeking to enter the health professions; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo has played a major part in several medical and public health missions which have facilitated the donation of over US$50 million worth in critical supplies such as medical equipment and eyeglasses to several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa; and
WHEREAS, he has continued his legacy of mentorship and empowerment uplifting several generations of aspiring health professionals from the Nigerian-American and African-American communities, helping to build a diverse pipeline of public health and healthcare leaders across borders; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo continues to serve as Chairman of Africa International House, supporting initiatives such as the African Festival of the Arts, the largest annual event highlighting African arts and culture in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, he continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Islamic Association, as well as on the Board of Trustees of the Light of Islam, as well as on the Governing Council of Lagos State University; and
WHEREAS, he has acted as a critical ambassador between the vibrant Nigerian, African-American, and diaspora communities in Cook County and abroad, promoting inclusive and innovative solutions to pressing public health challenges via initiatives such as the establishment of the Lagos State Centre for Disease Control; and
WHEREAS, Professor Amuwo has been happily married to Linda Marie Amuwo for over four decades, and together they are blessed with children who continue to distinguish themselves in their respective professions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and commend Professor Shaffdeen A. Amuwo on the occasion of his 80th birthday, recognizing his outstanding service and enduring dedication to the health and well-being of communities throughout Cook County, the State of Illinois, and around the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be prepared and presented to Professor Shaffdeen A. Amuwo and his family as an expression of the Cook County Board of Commissioners’ sincere gratitude for his extraordinary lifetime of service, scholarship, leadership, and lasting impact on the health and well-being of countless individuals and communities.
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