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 the 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 seemingly gasp for breathe.
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-Genera 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
Olukoya Ramsom Kuti, for his works in the area of paediatrics 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 a lot of
indigent children with heart conditions received free surgeries and other medical
interventions.
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, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) foremost jurist and educationist, Chief Kessington
Adebutu, renowed philanthropist, Dr. Mrs Maryam Sani Abacha, Former First Lady, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor, 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, Kanu Nwankwo, Founder, Kanu Heart Foundation, Florence Otedola, Founder,
CUPPY Foundation, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Founder, BUA Foundation, Sir Emeka
Offor,Founder, SEO Foundation, Sir Dr. Daniel Chukwudozie, Philanthropist.
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)
