Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Ola Balogun has directed that his organs be donated and his body handed over to medical institutions for research and training after his death.
The 81-year-old made the directive in a public rendition of his last will and testament, which he released while receiving treatment at the Josek Medical Centre in Ogba, Lagos, following a recent health scare shortly after celebrating his 81st birthday.
Explaining why he made his wishes public instead of preparing a formal will through a lawyer, Balogun said: “Barely a week after I was privileged to celebrate my 81st birthday on August 1st, a fresh medical alert has obliged me to once more seek treatment… Consequently, I am hastily writing these few lines, not knowing whether or not I am destined to emerge alive from my latest confrontation with illness.”
He added that he was inspired by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying: “Like the late sage, I firmly believe that departure from earthly existence should involve a well-thought out and orderly process, rather akin to preparation for a long journey.”
In the document, Balogun instructed that once his death is medically certified, any viable organs, including his kidneys and eyes, should be donated to people in need. He also directed that the remainder of his body be donated to medical institutions to aid the training of future doctors.
“I hereby further direct that immediately after my physical demise would have been medically certified, my remains should be speedily dissected in order to extract any vital organs that might be useful for donation… After that, I hereby direct that whatever is left over should be speedily handed over to appropriate medical institutions for use by future doctors,” he stated.
Explaining the reason for his decision, Balogun said: “The above decisions concerning the disposal of my corpse are rooted in the firm conviction that my physical remains should, if possible, be useful to the living.”
Balogun is regarded as one of the pioneers of Nigeria’s film industry. Over a career spanning several decades, he has produced films and documentaries in English, Yoruba, Pidgin and Igbo. His notable works include Alpha, Ija Ominira, Amadi, Nigersteel, Ajani Ogun, Musik Man and Oorun Moru. He is also recognised as part of the first generation of Nigerian filmmakers alongside the late Hubert Ogunde, Ade Love, Jab Adu and Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala).