Despite numerous discouragements, these 5 young Nigerians are creatively impacting Nigeria’s health sector
When the then President John F. Kennedy made his historic 1967 remarks,”…think not of what your country can do for you but rather think of what you can do for your country”, he didn’t know it would transcend his American territory and that some active Nigerian citizens thousands of miles away and many years after will be inspired and go to work with that statement.
While many Nigerians have taken life-changing initiatives in all walks of life, our article profiles 5 Nigerian Gladiators Working To Improve The Nigerian Healthspace.
ADEPEJU JAIYEOBA
Adepeju is unarguably the most notable young person in the Nigerian healthspace. The lawyer-turned health entrepreneur was piqued by the death of a childhood friend at child delivery to start work on reducing maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria through her Brown Button Foundation. Adepeju was recognized at the White House by President Barrack Obama in 2014 and is also part of many global fellowships.
OLANREWAJU ADELOYE
Queen’s Young Leader, Olanrewaju Adeloye is a Physiology graduate of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho. He co-founded Babymigo, a trusted platform for expecting moms and young parents in Africa. He also co-founded Safermom, an enterprise that has gotten features from BBC, Ventures Africa and Huffington Post because of his work and commitment at helping thousands of African mothers and children stay alive.
MUTIU DAMILOLA
Greenpads Limited, a health and wellness company founded by Damilola produces thousands of re-usable sanitary pads from plant fibres for girls in many economically-disadvantaged regions of Nigeria. He is a winner of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant, a YALI alumnus, a LEAP Africa Innovator and a Microsoft Innovator.
MFON UMANAH
Piqued by the griming statistics of needless deaths caused by lack of adherence to basic hygiene and poor sanitation, Mfon started the Aimcare Services, an organization that stages health campaigns and advocacy fronts in rural and low-income areas where people are the worst hit. His company also manufactures “bath kits”, a well-packaged box containing soaps, toothbrush, towels etc aimed at helping people lead hygienic lifestyles.
Dr. VICTORIA ADEPOJU
“My people perish because they lack knowledge”, says a verse of an ancient book. A medical practitioner by profession, Dr. Vickie as she is fondly called is bridging the wide information gap in the Nigerian health sector through HealthNewsNG which has become a trusted name and credible source of health-related news in Nigeria and Africa reeling out informative contents.