Centenary Celebration: Private Doctors Set To Honour Jonathan, Fayemi, Kanu, Others

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 said in a statement signed by Dr. Iyke Odo, its National President, over the weekend, 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 in the health sector.

The main focus of the centenary event is to be part of the solution to Nigeria’s myriad problems in healthcare delivery, as close observers of the health sector in Nigeria would readily attest to the fact that healthcare delivery is in dire shape. From the poor healthcare infrastructure, inadequate or total lack of critical equipment or the uninspiring conditions of work of the medical practitioners and other health workers, Nigeria’s health sector continues to gasp for breath.

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 MOTHER INITIATIVE’ (Mobile Health Solution).

Among Nigerians nominated for the award are personalities cutting across age, political and social status. Some of those to receive post-humous awards include Professor Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug 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 Olukoye Ramsom Kuti, for his works in the area of pediatrics in the nation.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will also receive an award for his servant-leadership in the fight against Ebola under his watch as president.

Nigeria’s football icon, Kanu Nwankwo, won a nomination in another category for his selflessness and laudable work with the Kanu Heart Foundation through which many indigent children with heart conditions received free surgeries and other medical interventions.

So also is 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 Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) foremost jurist and educationist, Chief Kessington Adebutu, renowed philanthropist, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former executive governor of Ondo State, Hon. Bashorun Askia Ogieh, MD/CEO DESOPADEC, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, former Minister of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, MD/CEO, JUHEL Pharmacy, Florence Otedola, founder, CUPPY Foundation, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, founder, BUA Foundation, Sir Emeka Offor, founder, SEO Foundation, Sir Dr. Daniel Chukwudozie, a philanthropist.

Other prominent awardees, in the political, corporate business and non-governmental organisation 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).