Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh [1956-2014]

Doctor Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was born on Saturday, 27 October 1956 in Lagos, Nigeria to Professor Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh (deceased) of the Adadevoh family of Anyako Royal House, Ghana and the Crowther/Macaulay family of Lagos, Nigeria and Deborah Regina McIntosh of the Nnmadi Azikiwe (President of Nigeria 1963-1966) and Smith/Wilkey families of Lagos, Nigeria.

Ameyo, the first of four children, began her academic career at Mainland Preparatory Primary School in Yaba, Lagos in 1961. In 1962, Ameyo’s parents temporarily relocated to Boston, Massachusetts in the United States of America where Ameyo spent two years in school.

Upon the family’s return to Nigeria in 1964, she continued her education at Corona School, Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria until 1968 and then began secondary school at Queens School Ibadan, Nigeria where she finished in 1974 with a distinction of honors in her West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Exams. Following secondary school, Ameyo completed one year of Preliminary Programme studies at the University of Lagos.

In 1980, at the age of 24, Ameyo qualified as a medical doctor with a Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University Of Lagos College Of Medicine. Upon graduation, she finished a one year mandatory housemanship at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and subsequently completed her National Youth Service Corps assignment in 1982 at The Eti-Osa Health Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

Her professional career began with a residency at Lagos University Teaching Hospital from 1983 to 1988 after which she earned the West African College of Physicians and Surgeons credential.

Ameyo married Afolabi Emmanuel Cardoso on 26 April 1986 and their union was blessed with a son Bankole Cardoso on 17 August 1988.

Following her residency, Ameyo worked as a consultant at Lagos University Teaching Hospital until 1991 when she earned a prestigious British Council Scholarship to continue her education abroad. From 1991 to 1993, Ameyo completed her Fellowship in Endocrinology at Hammersmith Hospital of the Imperial College in London, United Kingdom.

Upon completion of her education, Ameyo worked for more than two decades doing what she loved best: healing the sick. She joined First Consultants Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos, Nigeria where she worked for twenty-one years and became the Lead Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist.

Ameyo was a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), British-Nigerian Association, and National Postgraduate Medical College. She served as a Non-Executive Director of Learn Africa Plc. and a writer for the first-ever “Ask the Doc” column in Today’s Woman Magazine, among other accomplishments.

Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was an extremely dedicated, compassionate and God-fearing individual. She was a diligent doctor, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend who committed her life to serving humanity.

By identifying the index patient in the August 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, she prevented a national catastrophe, left a permanent mark on society, and solidified her legacy as a courageous and patriotic heroine. Her countrymen honor her heroic actions and remember her in gratitude for paying the ultimate price with her life.

Her legacy lives on through her son son, Bankole Cardoso; husband, Afolabi Cardoso; mother, two sisters, and brother; aunts, uncles and cousins; three sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law;and nieces and nephews.

Ameyo went to rest with the Lord on Tuesday, 19 August 2014.

May her soul rest in perfect peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.