ACHPN Kwara Returns All Executive Members For Second Term

The Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), Kwara State Chapter, has returned all its executive members to pilot the affairs of the professional association for another four years.

The Executive Members were returned unopposed and sworn-in at the 8th Quadrennial State Delegates Congress with the theme “Strengthening Primary Healthcare in Nigeria: Challenges, Responsibilities and Opportunities for Community Health Practitioners,” held in Ilorin.

The Executive Members are Joseph Ishola Aremu Chairman, Abubakar Shuaib Hasmau Deputy Chairman, Abdullahi Dauda Oladimeji Vice Chairman Kwara Central, Adedire Christiana Funmilayo Vice Chairman Kwara South and Afolayan Abosede Vice Chairman Kwara North.

Others are Jimoh Ibrahim Secretary, Isaac Jiyah Zhiri Assistant Secretary, Hassan Ayinla Jimoh Treasurer,  Abdullahi Muslimat Omowumi Financial Secretary, Adebomi Hellen Oluwakemi Auditor, Adekunle Grace Yemisi Publicity Secretary and Saidu Alhassan Manne, Trustee

In his Lecture, Lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, University of Ilorin, Associate Professor Baba Dare Abubakar, described Community Health Practice as an integral part of the Primary Healthcare system.

Associate Professor Abubakar said the profession remains relevant in the contemporary healthcare system and urged practitioners to always demonstrate competence in the discharge of their duties.

He chronicled the efforts of ACHPN in growing the profession and urged members to remain focused and eschew actions inimical to their professional and educational pursuit.

In his remarks, the National President of ACHPN, Comrade Kabiru Yahaya Ahmed, said the inauguration of the executives was a defining moment in the history of the Association.

Comrade Ahmed, who was represented by the National Deputy President, Dr. Nengi Brown, urged the executives to renew their commitment to professional excellence and collectively determine the future of ACHPN.

He charged them to build a culture where leaders are accountable, members are collectively involved, resources are responsibly managed and decisions are guided by collective interest.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman, ACHPN Kwara State Chapter, Mr. Joseph Olushola Aremu, charged members to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and work in partnership with government and other healthcare professionals to build a stronger and more effective healthcare system.

Aremu said a major area of advocacy by the executives has been the career stagnation faced by members who possess degrees in Public Health and Health Education.

He assured that through engagements with relevant authorities, including the Kwara State Civil Service and Local Government Service Commission, the association has pursued recognition of relevant qualifications for promotion and career progression of its members.

Presenting the Secretariat Report, the State Secretary of the Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Jimoh, listed the conduct of Community Health Week, participation in scientific conferences, regular meetings of the State Executive Council, protection of members’ integrity and professional image, and encouragement of members to pursue further education as major activities in the last dispensation.

Jimoh celebrated the progress made so far, noting that more work remains to be done in promoting the profession, protecting members’ interests, improving professional standards and strengthening Primary Healthcare for efficient service delivery.

The Congress was laced with the administration of Oath of Office on the returned Executive Members by the National Auditor, David Oke