- George A. Garrick
George Adeniji Garrick (
8 April 1917 –12 July 1988 ) held Nigeria's High Jump record from 1938 until 1953.Background
Born in
Lagos on 8 April 1917, George Adeniji Garrick was the eldest son of Stanley David Garrick, a senior administrator and courtier to HRH TheOba of Benin in the formerKingdom of Benin , now southwesternNigeria .George Garrick attended
King's College, Lagos where he excelled academically and was also noted for his prowess at games including cricket, football, squash and athletics.National record
In 1938, Garrick enjoyed his finest moment when he established the Nigerian High Jump record with a clearance of 6 feet 3 and 1/2 inches during an athletic competition in Lagos. His record remained unbeaten for fourteen years and earned him national recognition.
Overseas success
The outbreak of
World War II in 1939 ended Garrick's hopes of a medal at theBritish Empire Games which, ordinarily, would have been held in 1942. Nevertheless, he went on to register several athletic successes as a medical student atGlasgow University during the war years. In October 1946, he was awarded his Full Athletics Blue by the university; then, in 1947, he gained international honours representingScotland againstEngland andIreland . Subsequently, he was appointed Captain of University Athletics for the 1948–49 season.Professional and personal life
Returning to Nigeria after qualifying as a medical doctor, George Garrick entered the Government Medical Service and served in several parts of the country before going into private practice. In 1953, he married Princess Comfort Odinchezo Amobi, a granddaughter of
Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi .They had two children together. Kola and Tayo.
Upon his father's death in 1958, Garrick's inheritance of the lands and seigniorial standing bestowed by HRH The
Oba of Benin led him to settle permanently inBenin City to continue his medical career.Final years
Dr. Garrick later served as vice president of the
Bendel State Medical Association and on the state board of medical examiners, among others. In 1978, together with fellow practitioner Dr. N.O. Azinge, he was credited with important clinical observations regarding patient reactions to medication for theStevens-Johnson syndrome .Over time, as George Garrick's health declined, his interest in and patronage of sports in Nigeria at state and national level waned but he remained enthused by international athletics and cricket until the end of his life.
Biographical resources
Estate of George Adeniji Garrick of Siluko, National Archives of Nigeria, Estate of Princess Comfort Odinchezo Amobi,
Glasgow University ,National Library of Medicine , Garrick Family Archives, Niger Delta Congress, Royal House of Amobi,National Center for Biotechnology Information , King's College, Lagos
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
