By Emma Okereh
The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) will on Thursday August 12, 2021, honour some distinguished Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria’s health sector.
The Association in a statement at the weekend signed by Dr. Iyke Odo, the National President, explained that the event which will take place at the Africa Hall of the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja, promises to unveil an array of Nigerians who have etched their names in gold through their worthy interventions in the health sector.
‘’The main focus of the centenary event, is to be part of the solution to Nigeria’s myriad of problems in healthcare delivery. Close observers of the health sector in Nigeria will readily attest to the fact that healthcare delivery is in dire stress. From the poor healthcare infrastructure to inadequate or total lack of critical equipment, the uninspiring conditions of work of the medical practitioners and other health workers, Nigeria’s health sector continues to gasp for breathe’’, the national president lamented.
Dr. Odo explained that as a way of giving back to the society, part of the event on that day will be the official launch of a private healthcare intervention fund to support two cardinal national projects for Nigeria one of which is the ‘Save One Million Nigerian Mothers Initiative’ otherwise known as the “(Mobile Health Solution)”.
The Award which comes in different categories,will feature Chief Kessington Adebutu, a renowned Philanthropist whose interventions in health infrastructure are visible in many University Teaching Hospitals across the country.as well as Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) foremost Jurist and Educationist.
Also, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Founder, BUA Foundation, a notable donor in all spheres including the health sector will receive an award in recognition of his immense contribution to his fatherlamd.
In the servant leadership category category, Senator Geurge Akume will receive Award for his achievements in the sector when he held sway in Benue as the governor of the state.
Among Nigerians nominated for the award are notable personalities cutting across age as well as political and social divides. Some of those to receive post humous awards, include, Professor Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for her relentless fight against fake and unwholesome food and drugs, late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, for her supreme sacrifice in the fight against Ebola and Professor Olikoya Ramsom Kuti, for his works in the area of Primary Health Care in the country.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will also receive an award for his Servant-Leadership roles in the fight against Ebola, under his watch as President.
This is just as Nigeria’s football icon, Kanu Nwankwo, got a nomination in another category for his selflessness and laudable work with the Kanu Heart Foundation, through which a lot of indigent children with heart conditions received free surgeries and other medical interventions.
There is also, a former First Lady, Mrs Maryam Abacha, who founded what is now referred to as the National Hospital Abuja, through her pet project, the Family Support Programme Initiative. It was originally known as the National Hospital for Women and Children.
Others include; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor, Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former Executive Governor of Ondo state; Hon. Bashorun Askia Ogieh, MD/CEO DESOPADEC, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was President Jonathan’s Health Minister that led the fight against Ebola, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, MD/CEO, JUHEL Pharmaceuticals Ltd; one of the Country’s leading indigenous drug manufacturers, Florence Otedola, Founder, CUPPY Foundation for her amazing interventions in the Save the Children NGO, Sir Emeka Offor, Founder, SEO Foundation known for their very huge financial investment in the national fight against POLIO, and Sir Dr. Daniel Chukwudozie, Philanthropist and another huge interventionist in the healthcare sector in his native Anambra State.
Other prominent awardees, in the political, corporate business and Non-Governmental organization communities, who have been listed for the great impacts they have made overtime in the health sector include, Save The Children International, Nigeria; International Committee of the Red Cross; Society for Family Health and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
