November 13, (THEWILL) – A pioneer in the Nigerian Army, Major-General Aderonke Kale, has passed away at the age of 84.
The president of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Emmanuel Obi Okafor, officially confirmed Kale’s passing in a statement on Thursday.
Okafor expressed the profound loss, deeming it irreparable, and called on the public to await further details on burial arrangements to be announced by her family.
Former army spokesperson, S.K. Usman, in a statement, lauded Kale as a trailblazer, highlighting her significant contributions to both the medical and military history of the country.
The statement read, “AANI and indeed the nation will continue to remember the remarkable legacy of the iconic Major General Aderonke Kale (rtd) mni, who had been a trailblazer in Nigeria’s medical and military history. May her gentle soul continue to rest in peace, Amen.”
The official statement refrained from revealing the specific cause of her demise, but specified that she passed away in London on Wednesday.
A product of University College, now known as the University of Ibadan, Kale pursued a medical career and further specialised in psychiatry at the University of London. Her choice of psychiatry was deeply influenced by the pioneering work of Thomas Adeoye Lambo, Africa’s first professor of psychiatry, marking her commitment to a field that would leave a lasting impact on the medical landscape.
Born on July 31, 1939, Kale briefly worked in Britain before returning to Nigeria in 1971. Her military journey saw her ascend the ranks, achieving the position of colonel and deputy commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps by 1990.
Initially serving as the chief psychiatrist to the army, Kale later assumed the role of Director of the Nigerian Medical Corps, holding the position of Chief Medical Officer until 1996. Her career reached new heights when she earned the rank of Major-General in 1994, ultimately retiring from the army in 1997.
Married to Oladele Kale, a professor in preventive and social medicine, Aderonke was a mother to five sons, including Yemi Kale, the former Statistician-General of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu, expressing condolences through his media aide Ajuri Ngelale, described Major-General Kale as a trailblazer, noting that she embodied courage and professionalism.
“Major-General Aderonke Kale was a pioneer in her field. She embodied the courage, professionalism, capacity, and resilience of the Nigerian woman. She thrived and conquered where many feared to tread. She was a towering figure; an inimitable role model,” Tinubu said.
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