Date: 2016-09-30

The Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki was honoured yesterday as a Fellow of the Academy of Public Health (FAPH), by the West African Academy of Public Health (WAAPH) during the inauguration of the Strategic Advisory Board of the Academy in Abuja.

Mrs. Saraki, honorary chair of the investiture, inaugurated the 31 Member Strategic Advisory Board of WAAPH, acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of the West African Academy of Public Health for their shared vision to transform and strengthen West Africa's public health institutional and systems capability, while providing knowledge to achieve better health outcomes for all.

While congratulating the newly inaugurated board members, led by Chair, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, former Minister Of Health, and Vice-Chair, The Right Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola, former House Of Representatives Member, Mrs. Saraki said: "I congratulate everyone being inaugurated today as a Member of the WAAPH Strategic Advisory Board. I am encouraged by the wide range of seasoned experts here, from policy and programmatic leaders, to political will and citizens engagement civil society actors; let us continue to invest in healthcare in Africa and especially our own country, Nigeria, as this is an investment for our future and the future of our children, today."

The Fellow of the Academy of Public Health certificate was presented to Mrs Saraki by the Chairman Board of Directors and President, West African Academy of Public Health, Dr. Francis Ohanyido.

"I am honoured to become a Fellow of this West African Regional Academy today. At no time in our developmental history has regional cohesion been more important, given the health and wellbeing delivery challenges exacerbated by the migrants and refugees crises, to tackle regional challenges and proffer regional solutions. Research is a vital component for better health outcomes, to transform and advance our nations, in order to achieve the UN global goals. We must ensure that we improve and strengthen national and regional health data and accountability, which are essential in measuring national health impact, progress and spending." She said.

Other organisations present at the inauguration included The White Ribbon Alliance, ONE Campaign, SynergyPMP, Christian Aid, Academy of Learning Nigeria and Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative.