Nollywood health summit holds in Lagos

It’s now confirmed that this year’s Nollywood Health And Entertainment Summit (NHAES) will hold on Saturday, October 28, at the Conference/Banquet Hall of the National Art Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The event, which will provide a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm on issues affecting the industry, especially health related, will also have stakeholders in the country’s health sector in attendance.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos to herald the summit, the National President of NHAES, Mr. Victor Osuagwu said the event has become necessary due to the ugly trend in the industry, where stakeholders go cap in hand in a bit to care for ailing members.

“The aim of this press conference is to intimate you with our plans and activities for the forthcoming Nollywood Health and Entertainment Summit. The honourable Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole is the special guest of honour at this historic event and he has assured us of his esteemed presence. Also, the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode is coming as our Chief Host and we are equally expecting several dignitaries from different walks of life. We are ready to welcome and entertain all of them at the event,” the actor said.

On the involvement of Nollywood guilds in the project, Osuagwu said the yearly event will brings together popular Nollywood actors, celebrities, stakeholders in the health and wellness sectors, NGOs and the general public for health awareness and sensitisation.

Under the theme, Live To Reap (Fight Against Cancer), which is in line with 2017 WHO’s theme on breast cancer, the summit, according to Osuagwu, promises to be a rewarding experience for practitioners, as well as the industry in general.

“Already, over 1000 guests and celebrities have indicated interest to be at this year’s event. At NHAES, we strive to create awareness on health issues and diseases prevalent in our society as well as the preventive measures and proper information on how to access medical care. We want to bring in artistes and Nollywood celebrities to act as advocates or ambassadors to promote health care awareness,” he said.
 
The summit will also feature free medical check up, as well as create access to health care insurance professionals on health insurance packages available for practitioners.

“This kind of initiative will help mitigate the way we usually go public to appeal for funds for our ailing colleagues and celebrities. Such situations could be avoided with proper education on health care and health related issues,” he said.

Osuagwu, the immediate past chairman of the Lagos State Actors Guild, said they would be reaching out to the larger society, especially decision makers in the polity. “We need their helping hands and loud voices to make this summit very successful. Therefore, we are inviting and reaching out to government and top government officials and agencies. Also, on our radar are NGOs and stakeholders in the health sectors. Even health insurance companies and fitness and aerobics experts are invited alongside celebrities and the general public. And of course, interested sponsors, corporate bodies, funding partners and foreign collaborators are all expected to grace this historic summit that is now the talk of the town,” he said.To herald the summit, there will be NHAES Walk For Life on Thursday, October 26 in Lagos, with notable entertainers on the bill.

“This milestone walk/exercise will be done in partnership with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), other guilds in Nollywood and our partners in the health sector. Let us not forget the age long maxim that: Health Is Wealth. Let it constantly guard and guide us every day, because it is only when we are alive and healthy that we can think of our jobs, wealth and other good things of life,” he said.