Dr. Tumani Corrah continues to break new grounds even after retiring from active service at the UK’s Gambia branch of the Medical Research Council where he was director.
The Gambian medical scientist has been nominated by the listeners of one of BBC World Service's longest-running radio programmes, Outlook, as one of the world’s most extraordinary people in the world.
Famous for devoting his life to saving lives through medical research, Dr. Corrah was described as a man with remarkable courage and compassion.
Posting on Facebook, Outlook wrote: “Dr Tumani Corrah from Gambia has devoted his life to training and mentoring the next generation of young African scientists.”
The former MRC country director is one of the 50 extraordinary people shortlisted for the Outlook Inspirations Awards. Already, an international judging panel, led by the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet, is going through their profiles for a final shortlist of 15. Three winners will later be announced on Monday 4th July, 2016 - the day of Outlook’s 50th birthday.
Gambians online were quick to congratulate the doctor. Bully Camara who is based in Australia said: “Professor Corrah is exemplary from all angles. I was at MRC when he became the director of the unit. He is modest, humble and a great person to work with. He talks and crack jokes with everyone.”
A laboratory technician with MRC, Bubacarr JB Touray wrote: “It is a joy knowing that such people live in Africa. Dr Corrah is an inspirational leader and scientist. Definitely my role model in the field of health and research.”
Dr. Tumani Corrah has over thirty years of senior-level research and leadership experience, ten years of which were as country director of MRC.
Good luck to Dr.!