Tunji Otegbeye
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Jeremiah Olatunji Otegbeye (14 July 1925 – 9 October 2009) was a Nigerian politician, trade unionist and medical doctor.[1][2][3] Otegbeye hailed from the Yewa community.[3]
Otegbeye was born in Ilaro, where he attended the Christ Church Primary School. Between 1942 and 1947 he studied at the Government College in Ibadan.[1] In 1948 he began studying medicine at University College Ibadan, and went on to complete his education in London.[1][4] In London he was active in the Nigerian Union and the West African Students' Union, and was a frequent speaker at the Hyde Park Speakers Corner.[1]
Upon his return to Nigeria in 1957, Otegbeye participated in the struggle for Nigerian independence.[1][5] He became active in the Nigerian Youth Congress, founded in 1960.[5][6] He rapidly became the president of the NYC, and under his leadership the movement became more radical.[6] Otegbeye led a youth and students protest against the Anglo-Nigerian Defense Pact on 28 November 1960, during which the House of Representatives was stormed. He was arrested afterwards along with other youth leaders.[7] He was also charged with and convicted for (along with seven colleagues) having led the 15 February 1961 riots that followed the killing of Patrice Lumumba.[6]
Otegbeye founded a private medical practice in Lagos in 1960, the Ireti Hospital.[1]