Oral History with Dr Edmund Edi-Osagie

00:00 Edmond introduces himself as Dr Edmond Edi-Osagie, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist. He was born in Benin, Nigeria and has lived in the UK for 27 years, and in Bramhall, Stockport for 13 of those years. He is an NHS consultant gynaecologist at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester and has a private gynaecology and fertility service in Cheadle, Stockport.

01:07 He discusses ‘perceived glass ceilings’ and how you have to work hard to break them. He came from very humble beginnings, but both his parents were teachers and he got an excellent education. When he first became a doctor, he felt challenged by the inadequacies of the healthcare system in Nigeria and felt he couldn’t use his knowledge and skills to help people because the facilities were rudimentary, and equipment and drugs were unavailable. “Sometimes you couldn’t do anything and just watch people pass away in front of you.”

[microphone adjustments are made]

06:00 Thinking about his childhood makes him smile. It was rich and full. Nigeria was rich in the 60’s (oil had just been discovered) and it was a hopeful, wonderful place to be. He is from a family of 5 siblings and had lots of friends. His house was always full of laughter and joy. His wonderful upbringing set him up for life.

07:55 Edmond explains how long it took him to become a consultant, he sees it as an apprenticeship.

10:10 When he first came to Manchester, he and his wife were both trainees so found it easy to live in Manchester for 9 years. Once they both became consultants, they looked for somewhere to settle down, found Bramhall, and have been very pleased with it.

12:07 He feels blessed and thanks the Lord everyday. He has worked hard to achieve his position and he’s glad he has done what he has. He has 3 daughters, the oldest has just become a doctor and works at Stepping Hill Hospital (Hazel Grove) and the younger 2 are in secondary school.

15:09 He wasn’t deterred by the lack of diversity in Stockport, and by virtue of his and his wife’s professions he feels they are privileged and get respect and recognition and that has opened doors. He has never felt they have been disadvantaged.

17:32 Discusses his love of Nigerian food, which features prominently in the family life. His mum was strict and made everyone participate in cooking and housework and this is carried on in his family. His speciality is jollof rice. He couldn’t live without his Nigerian food.

19:18 Edmond is a Christian and was born into the Anglican Church. When he came to the UK he found the churches ‘cold, empty, and lifeless’ by comparison and struggled to find somewhere before he found the Bolton Pentecostal Church and then the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Manchester.

21:23 He feels pained by how Black people have been treated and feels that Black people need to come together, to redefine themselves and realise the economic power they collectively have and should use it effectively to be relevant. Black History needs to be put into the curriculum.

27:45 His advice to others would be not to discount Stockport, but to get involved in politics, become a local councillor, and have a passion for fulfilling your dream.

29:50 He believes that Black people are rich culturally and spiritually, and that God gave these attributes for a purpose.

31:23 Stockport is an amazing place of calmness for him, with walking trails, a lawn tennis club, a golf club, and a park with lots of activities very close to his home.

32:53 Edmond discusses the current Covid-19 pandemic and why Black and Asian people have been disproportionately affected by it.