Why Tomi Coker Is The ”Heartthrob” In Gov Dapo Abiodun’s Cabinet

Charles Oyelesi

Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health is regarded as the ‘’heartthrob’’ in the cabinet of Governor Dapo Abiodun societynow.ng learned.

Societynow.ng learned that this sentiment is especially shared by a large section of the media operating in Ogun State.

Sources disclosed that Coker endeared herself to many with the way she is handling the Covid-19 situation in Ogun State.

‘’She is always available to take calls, provide information, and provide assistance’’ societynow.ng learned.

Coker, 53 is widely labeled as a major media and community relation asset for the administration of Governor Abiodun since she was appointed.

‘’Even if you call her at odd hours she will respond to your inquiries and tried to find solutions to challenges’’ a source stated.

Sources disclosed that Coker keeps an open door policy and is easily accessible to workers at the her ministry and walk-in visitors.

Insiders disclosed that the major blot on her ministry’s performance was the strike by Doctors at the Ogun State Isolation Centre.

she tried several times to prevent the strike by Doctors at the Ogun State Isolation and came up with the non-political solution of volunteer Doctors as replacements to take care of the patients when the sack became inevitable societynow.ng learned..

‘’She adopted a non-confrontational approach in resolving but it didn’t go as envisaged because of lack of political will’’ societynow.ng learned.

A brief peep into her background revealed that the commissioner who hails from Abeokuta (Ogun State) ‘’was born on the 29th of March,1967 in Washington DC, United States of America to Chief Michael Olufemi Coker (The Bada of Egbaland) and Mrs Mopelola Coker (Nee Akibo of Itoko) who were members of the Federal Diplomatic Corps at the time of her birth. Her father was a prominent businessman who hails from the illustrious Jibolu-Taiwo dynasty of Egbaland while her mother is a retired educationist.

‘’She had her early education at Home Science Primary School in Ikoyi, Lagos and later proceeded to Government College Ojo, Lagos. She studied Medicine at the prestigious University of Ibadan and her Housemanship was at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. During her NYSC, she served at the First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos before she commenced her specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

“Dr Coker trained at several prestigious Teaching Hospitals in London, including St Mary’s Paddington and Queen Charlotte Hospital respectively.
In pursuit of her professional career, Dr Tomi Coker underwent her Fetal Medicine training at Kings College Hospital, London under the globally renowned Professor Kypros Nicolaides.

She was appointed as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2003.

‘’She has a wide range of surgical skills, being the lead female Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where she has worked for sixteen years and rose to the post of Clinical Director. She has a keen interest in Clinical Governance and Risk.

‘’Dr Tomi Coker has a passion for promoting female well-being globally, hence her role as the Vice-Chair of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Nigeria Liaison Group, which collaborates with local professional bodies in advocacy and the promotion of women’s health in developing countries with a focus on Africa. ‘