Tal-hatu Hamzat

Tal-hatu Kolapo Hamzat
Born(1970-06-15)15 June 1970
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Died11 January 2023(2023-01-11) (aged 52)
Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Education
OccupationProfessor of neurological physiotherapy
Awards

Tal-hatu Kolapo Hamzat (15 June 1970 – 11 January 2023) was a Nigerian professor of neurological physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan.[1] He was the first African to become a professor of neurophysiotherapy and worked in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with post-central nervous system injuries, especially those with stroke and cerebral palsy.[2] He was a fellow of several professional bodies and received many awards and grants for his research and academic work.[3]

Early life and education

Hamzat was born on 15 June 1970 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.[4] He attended the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in physiotherapy in March 1994.[4] He continued his studies at the same university and earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in physiology of exercise in May 1998 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in neurological physiotherapy in February 2001.[5]

Career and research

Hamzat began his professional academic career at the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan on 23 August 2001 as a lecturer I.[6] He was promoted to a senior lecturer on 1 October 2004 and to a professor of physiotherapy on 1 October 2009.[6] He was the second person to deliver an inaugural lecture as a professor of physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan on 6 February 2014, titled "From ward to ward: The neurophysiotherapist as a returning officer".[6] He served as the head of the Department of Physiotherapy from 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2018.[7][8]

Hamzat's research focus was on the rehabilitation of individuals with post-central nervous system injuries, with a bias in stroke and cerebral palsy.[9] He developed and validated several assessment tools and intervention protocols for the management of these conditions.[2] He also conducted studies on the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention and outcome of stroke and cerebral palsy in Nigeria.[10] He published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters.[3] He also edited two books: Stroke Rehabilitation: Insights from Neuroscience and Imaging and Cerebral Palsy: Challenges for the Future. He was a reviewer and editorial board member of many national and international journals.[8] He supervised and mentored many undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as junior colleagues.[8]

Hamzat was a fellow of several professional bodies, including the African Academy of Sciences, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, the Physiotherapy Postgraduate College of Nigeria, the European Society of Neurorehabilitation, and the Institute of Management Consultants.[4][3] He was also a member of several international organizations, such as the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation, the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine.[11][3]

Personal life and death

Hamzat was married and had children.[12] He was a Muslim.[12] He died on 11 January 2023 in Nigeria.[5] He was 52 years old.[5]

References

  1. ^ Ahmed, Abdulateef (11 January 2023). "Africa's First Professor of Neuro-Physiotherapy Professor Hamzat is Dead". News Central TV. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Voice, Muslim (12 January 2023). "Tal-hatu Kolapo Hamzat: First African Neuro-Physiotherapy Professor Dies At 52". The Muslim Voice, Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Olaginju, Michael (25 May 2021). "Prof. Tal-hatu K. HAMZAT". Home. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "*Professor Tal-Hatu Kolapo Hamzat's Memorial". NSPhysio. 15 June 1970. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Adebayo, Musliudeen (12 January 2023). "Africa's first Neuro-physiotherapy Professor, Hamzat dies at 52". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b c NigeriaPhysio (2014). From Ward to Ward: the Neurophysiotherapist as a Returning Officer (PDF). p. 41. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ^ NigeriaPhysio 2014, p. 42.
  8. ^ a b c From Ward to Ward: the Neurophysiotherapist as a Returning Officer (PDF). p. 42. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  9. ^ Hamzat, Talhatu Kolapo (19 December 2012). "Physical Activity and Participation in Regular Exercise by People with Physical Disability: What do they Stand to Gain?". Nigerian Journal of Medical Rehabilitation. Nigeria Physiotherapy Network: 5–9. doi:10.34058/njmr.v14i1.2.41. ISSN 1118-3489.
  10. ^ Hamzat, Tal-hatu K.; Mordi, Eluemuno L. (2007). "Impact of caring for children with cerebral palsy on the general health of their caregivers in an African community". International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 30 (3). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health): 191–194. doi:10.1097/mrr.0b013e3281e5af46. ISSN 0342-5282. PMID 17762763. S2CID 27337658.
  11. ^ "Kolapo Hamzat becomes the Youngest Professor of Physiotherapy in Nigeria and Africa!". Nigeria Physiotherapy Network. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Ibadan-born First African Neuro-physiotherapy Professor Dies At 53". Oyoinsight. 9 January 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.