Mimiko to speak at ECOWAS event

Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko will deliver the keynote address at the West African Health Organization (WAHO) conference in Abuja on Wednesday and also speak on Maternal and Child Health at his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, on Thursday.

At the WAHO conference holding at the Rockview Hotel in Abuja, Mimiko will be speaking on the theme “Abiye Programme – Example of Evidence into Practice”.

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is the regional Agency charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the peoples in the ECOWAS sub-region through the initiation and harmonization of the policies of Member States, pooling of resources, and cooperation with one another and with others for a collective and strategic combat against the health problems of the sub-region.

According to the organisers, “the overall objective of the conference is to move maternal, newborn and child health evidence into policy in Nigeria, so as to enhance the reduction of maternal and child mortality rate, through the development of more efficient, equitable and sustainable policies, strategies, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and better functioning systems.”

In a similar vein, at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife , the former Governor, a graduate of the University’s College of Health Sciences, will headline the 33rd Annual Health Week of the Ife Medical Students Association (IFUMSA), scheduled to hold at the main auditorium of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) by 9:00am.

The event will be chaired by a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Sir (Dr) Kayode Obembe and would have in attendance top members of the University management led by the Vice-Chancellor, members of staff of OAU college of health sciences, medical students and practitioners, among other major stakeholders in the health sector.

Since leaving office, Mimiko, whose 8 years tenure had trailblazing records in the health, education and other sectors, has been engaging key stakeholders in the health sectors at both local and international scenes using his Ondo’s successful experience as a model of good governance where he reduced maternal mortality by over 70 percent through his homegrown Abiye (Safe motherhood) program.