Eminent members of the diaspora are planning to reward the contributions of Nigerians to the National Health Scheme (NHS) to mark the 70th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 23rd March 2019.
The organising body known as the Nigerian Healthcare Professionals UK (NHCPUK) is inviting readers to nominate Nigerian Healthcare Professionals in the UK for Excellence Award for their contributions to the NHS@70.
The award ceremony will hold on Saturday 23rd March 2019. Venue: Grange City Hotel, 8-14 Cooper Row, London EC3N 2BQ. Time 5.00pm prompt to 1.00am.
This award is for Nigerians who run organisations/businesses, which, create and promote opportunities of work for the society in general and Nigerians in particular within the health and social care services. High Calibre Nigerian representatives will chair the panel of Judges.
A number of bodies supporting the awards including: Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK, MANSAG, Nigeria Radiographers Association UK, Nigerian Ministry of Health and African Voice Newspaper UK, Black Heritage Radio UK amongst others, and the list is growing. In addition to the award categories, NHCPUK will announce the list of 70 most influential Nigerian Healthcare professional Leaders in the UK.
The occasion would be graced by the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, Professor I F Adewole, senior officials of the National Health Service, United Kingdom, various UK-based dignitaries of Nigerian origin whose professional success, excellence and career achievements are worthy of emulating by young and aspiring Nigerians.
Nominations
To nominate a UK based healthcare practitioner, kindly email: nigeriahcpuk@gmail.com or africanvoicenews@gmail.com – Full name, job title, place of work, email address, a summary of your nominee’s professional career, awards, achievements (not more than 50 – 100 words) not later than Friday 8th February 2019. You can also nominate using the form at the bottom of the page.
Background on the award
Nigerian diaspora members currently living in the United Kingdom are one of the largest in the healthcare settings in the NHS. ONE NHS, MANY NATIONALITIES, Feb 2018 pg 3 indicates Nigerians at a population of 5,405 occupy 9th position out of 157 nationalities in the NHS.
(https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7783)
They are highly skilled and knowledgeable, and therefore contribute enormously to the NHS and national development. Nigerians contributions, support and effort include but are not limited to investment, skills transfer, management, mentoring and consulting. In most cases and according to a number of recent studies, Black (Nigerians) staffs are under-represented at the most senior levels, are not well recognised for their tenacity, and they often experience discrimination in their career progression in health and social care services.
The celebration (award dinner with Keynote Speakers) of NHS at 70 Awards is:
- To highlight and recognise the significant role that Nigerians play in the NHS.
- To celebrate NHS at 70, evaluate the impacts on practice and the communities, the future challenges and opportunities, and in particular as it relates to Nigerians and the contribution of Nigerians.
- To showcase contribution of Nigerian community into the NHS and their various disciplines/professions in the UK.
- To use the platform to reward excellence in a way that would have a positive impact on the career and career progression of nominees and recipients who have contributed to the NHS
- To use the platform to promote ethos of excellence by motivating Nigerian community in the UK to contribute positively into the NHS and to their various relevant professions
- To provide a major networking opportunity for Nigerians to meet and develop professional alliances with talented colleagues.
The award categories are:
- Academics Award of Excellence
This is for Nigerians who are renowned academicians in the UK in the fields of:
- Medicine
- Physiotherapy
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Radiography
- Other health and social care aspects
- Award of Excellence-Research.
This is for Nigerians who are renowned researchers in the UK in the fields of:
- Medicine
- Physiotherapy
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Radiography
- Other health and social care aspects
- Award of Excellence-Clinical.
This is for Nigerians who are renowned clinicians or practitioner in the UK in the fields of:
- Medicine
- Physiotherapy
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Radiography
- Other health and social care aspects
- Award of Excellence-Management.
This is for Nigerians who as managers in the health and social care services, work tirelessly for improvements in the NHS.
- Award of Excellence- Advocates.
This award is for Nigerians, who worked tirelessly for the protection of the rights of NHS professionals and users of the NHS.
- Award of Excellence- Leadership
This award for Nigerians who worked tirelessly to bring nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, dentists, pharmacists etc, who are of Nigerian origin together to promote their contributions to and impact on the NHS and beyond.
- Award of Excellence-Recruitment.
To attend the ceremony
Tickets are available at £75.00 per head & £140.00 per couple.
Attendees can purchase tickets by payment transfer into NATWEST Bank,
Sort code 558111 Account 85205060, using their names as reference.
For additional information, please email nigeriahcpuk@gmail.com
Contemporary contributions to the NHS by Nigerians
Nigeria has the fifth highest number of staff in the NHS. There are many unsung heroes but time and space will not permit the publication of all that are worth mentioning. We have chosen a few Nigerians who have made an impact on contemporary practice in the United Kingdom.
Professor Dilly Okeoma C. Anumba, a graduate of the University of Benin is the first Nigerian to be appointed as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2012. Prof. Anumba has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal papers and abstracts in medical journals, and book chapters on topics relating to pregnancy care and Women’s health. A seasoned researcher, he has attracted over one million pounds of research income to the University of Sheffield. He and his team developed new technologies to identify women at risk of premature births.
Professor Frank Chinegwundoh is Consultant Urological Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust and was in 2014 appointed Honorary Visiting Professor at City University London, School of Health Sciences. He was awarded the member of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s birthday honours list 2013, for services to the NHS. African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) vice-president Europe 2018.
Professor Femi Oyebode
A 1977 University of Ibadan graduate is professor of psychiatry at Birmingham University. He is author of Sims’ Symptoms in the Mind (5th edition) and seven books of poetry, including Master of the Leopard Hunt (1996). His research interests include clinical psychopathology, medical humanities, the application of ethics to psychiatric practice, and neuropsychological and neural correlates of abnormal phenomena. In 2016 he received a lifetime achievement award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Professor Aliko Ahmed is a public health physician, epidemiologist and health strategist. He is currently a director in Public Health England (PHE). He has a special interest in sustainable health system solutions in Africa. He is a member of the global health committees of the Faculty of Public Health and PHE, chair of the Public Health Africa Initiative, and the co-convener of the Better Health for Africa Initiative. He is a senior fellow and professor at Cambridge and Staffordshire universities and Associate Fellow, Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House.
The United Kingdom has become home for the next generation. There is abundant evidence that these Nigerian-British citizens will continue to excel and serve the NHS diligently. They have more opportunities open to them and are beginning to contribute to the technological innovations in the NHS.
Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi was one of the first Nigerians to be appointed as consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the NHS (1994). He is currently the Associate Medical Director for Patient Safety at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital and visiting professor, Faculty of Law University of Ibadan. He was the HSJ National award winner for innovation for the development of an online electronic tool for in-hospital mortality review (the MARS tool). He has been described by his peers as an asset to the NHS.
Abiodun Ogundana, in July 2018 received from Care Quality Commission CQC – ‘Individuals who have made a difference in NHS Trusts in Driving Improvements’, working with Cassie Pang, both pharmacists, created an app that has converted prescribing guidelines from paper to app. Abiodun is the Lead Antimicrobial and Nutrition Pharmacist at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon, Essex.
Yemisi Osho is a distinguished Midwife and Nurse practitioner of over 30 years. She is an outstanding leader, mentor and a role model both within nursing profession and politics. She has been at the forefront of nursing and worked in various capacities as nurse practitioner including senior management and board roles in the NHS. She has served on two CCG boards in London and Director of Nursing.
She has led on extensive advancement of nursing and quality patient care. Besides contributing widely to service development, she has nurtured and instrumental in developing so many talented nurses and also shaped so many nursing leaders including Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Nurses.
She has contributed immensely to the work of Royal College of Nursing as an activist and was twice elected to London Regional Board, where she contributed not only to the practice of nursing but also provided a voice for issues affecting nurses and patients including “Save the NHS Campaign”, Housing, Bullying and Harassment, health inequality, equality and diversity, nurses pay, terms and condition.
As RCN Activist, she helped to co- pioneer Equality & Diversity Group and has continued to be a voice for BME nurses as a member of Chief Nursing Officer National BME Advisory Group. As a member of the group, she contributed to the call for implementation of Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) to ensure employees from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds have equal access to career opportunities and receive fair treatment in the workplace.
She is a dynamic nurse and political leader. She has been a voice in transformational changes both in healthcare service delivery and politics. She has been a role model and source of inspiration to so many people both in nursing and in the community.
She has fostered community cohesion and health initiatives in the community. She has contributed to policies and service delivery within the local council and campaigned on various issues including, Housing and Divesting Pension Funds from Fossil Fuels and spoke at National Party Conference Energy Fringe event in 2016.
She has a unique pedigree in making a difference in people’s lives and being a BAME politician is an added value of someone that brings different perspectives to politics.
She is an inspirational leader and community activist who has campaigned for social justice; equality, fairness and women empowerment. She was a chair of Women in Public Life and over the years organised International Women’s Day and gives award to local residents in recognition of their contributions to the community. She has featured in Nursing Journals and recently featured in Women in Leadership journal with other international women in politics and championing women issues.
As a Nurse, Councillor for Lea Bridge ward since 2014 and past Mayor of London Borough of Waltham Forest, she has been a role model to a lot of residents. She has worked tirelessly in bringing members of our diverse community together, raising awareness of consequences of Diabetes and setting up Diabetes Support Group locally.
Her tenacity and dedication in making a difference in people’s life is extraordinary and worthy of emulation. She was awarded Queen’s Nurse Title in 2012 by the Queen’s Nursing Institute in recognition of her leadership and commitment to providing high quality care to patients in the community. She has also received National ‘Activist of the Year’ award in 2013 by Movement for Change in recognition of her philanthropic and charitable work in supporting the less privileged in the community to achieve health and well being. In 2017, She was awarded Community Excellence Award by the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association and Honorary Exemplary Diaspora Leadership Award.
Uduak Archibong is Professor of Diversity at the University of Bradford, UK, where she directs the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity and provides strategic oversight for equality, diversity and inclusion across the institution. Uduak has been recognised by the British Government and the Queen for her services to Higher Education and Equality. She was awarded MBE [Member of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2015 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Uduak’s nursing career began in Nigeria in the ’80s and she graduated from the University of Nigeria in Nursing in 1990 with first class [hon]; she then went to the UK in 1992 for her PhD which she completed in 1995. She facilitates educational programmes for many West African Countries on evidence-based health care practice and human resources development for senior health managers and leaders in addition to establishing and supporting learning resource centres within Faculties of Health in Nigerian Universities. She is leading the development and promotion of a movement to forge community unity against dementia in Nigeria and has founded Affiong Etuk Foundation for Inclusive Health [AFfIH] to help her determination to make Nigeria a Dementia Responsive Country.
She is a Visiting Professor at several international universities, a Fellow of the West African College of Nursing and a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing. Uduak is recognised as a thought leader in inclusion and diversity and currently leading in setting agenda to drive research, learning and knowledge exchange activities internationally. Informed by over 25 years’ experience of working in the higher education sector, Uduak’s academic and professional work has major impacts locally, nationally and globally. Key among these impacts is that the body of her research work has provided a robust understanding of the challenges of applying diversity interventions in enhancing workforce diversity and inclusive service delivery.
She has recently led a major multi-million European Commission funded action research project, GENOVATE, across 7 European Universities and is currently involved in a multi-million Horizon 2020 project, RRING, along with 22 international partners in Europe, China, Africa, India, Japan, North America and South America.
She is also involved in a national research study ‘Cracking the Concrete Ceiling’ which seeks to explore the impact of the ‘Diversifying Leadership’ programme of the Leadership Foundation [now part of Advance HE] on UK Black and Minority Ethnic Academic staff. This study is in collaboration with Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of East London and the Equality Challenge Unit [now part of Advance HE]
A multi-award winner, Uduak was honoured in June 2014 as one of the top 100 Nigerians in the UK to receive a Centenary Award, one of the top 50 Inspirational Women in Healthcare in the UK, and a Distinguished Nurse Leader in 21st century in Nigeria. She was listed in the Black WHO’S WHO in the Millennium in recognition of her outstanding achievements. She is an Ecumenical Canon of the Bradford Cathedral in the UK and Obong Ifiok 1 of Onna LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
Uduak has published extensively on inclusion and diversity. She is on the editorial board of a number of academic journals and the Guest Editor of a recently published Special Issue of the Journal of Psychological Issues in Organisational Culture entitled ‘Reframing Diversity Interventions in Austere Times’.
Dr Iyabode (Lola) Oni OBE
PhD, BEd (Hons), LHV, RNT, RM, Adv. Cert Counselling
- Specialist Nurse Consultant and Lecturer in haemoglobinopathies, with nursing, midwifery and health visiting background.
- Local and Regional Service Director, Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, (London NW University Healthcare NHS Trust)
- Founder Member & Chair of the Sickle, Thalassaemia Association of Nurses, Midwives and Allied Professionals (STANMAP), UK
- Specialist Honorary Lecturer King’s College London University & University of West London
- Fellow Member of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI)
- Member of the England CNO Black & Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group
- Received and Officer of the British Empire award from Her Majesty the Queen in 2004 for contributions to the NHS
- Member of the Inaugural Class Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) International
- Member of the Department of Health Haemoglobinopathy Clinical Reference Group (CRG)
- Member of the National Antenatal & Newborn Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Screening Steering Group
- Member and secretary of the First Martin Luther King Twelve
Theophilus Idowu Bello is currently an Assistant Clinical Director in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust. As a dynamic, self-motivated and driven professional he made the decision to pursue Nursing after finding it difficult to secure a job within the Engineering field. In less than 7 years, he went from a newly qualified nurse to achieving the highest possible clinical grade. Over the years, he has worked in over 4 reputable trusts within London where he has made a significant impact. He has also mentored managers, many of whom have achieved a higher role. Theo understands the importance of a collaborative approach of healthcare and non-healthcare professionals to achieve objectives. He combines clinical focus with clear strategic leadership and is committed to the principle of enablement as a core part of team working. These skills are essential to ensure quality patient care. He is also a keen lecturer and has given lectures in Hammersmith College on Business Studies as well as many lectures in various Trusts. Theo secured an MBA in 2013 with a First Class Distinction and has continued to use the skills gained from this program to impact his Trust.
Dr Gloria Olubusola Rowland was first trained as a registered nurse and midwife in Nigeria before relocating to the United Kingdom in 2000. Gloria continued her nursing career in UK after completing her NMC adaptation programme to become registered as a nurse in the UK. Since then she has gained further qualifications- BSc Midwifery, MSc Community Public Health Specialist Practitioner and Doctor of Clinical Practice.
She has a strong passion for change, innovation and transformation of health services. She has worked within the NHS and community settings as a Consultant midwife and Head of midwifery. Most recently became the Director for Midwifery at Barts Health NHS Trust since 3rd January 2018 which is the largest maternity services in UK.
Gloria is the first Black African Head of Midwifery in the history of maternity services in the UK as well as the first African Director of Midwifery at the largest NHS trust in the UK. She became a Mary Seacole Scholar awarded by the Department of Health in 2009, a Florence Nightingale Research Scholar in 2011. Gloria has won many national awards for her work in transforming maternity care. Her recent work involved transforming poor performing maternity services into a good maternity unit (CQC rated maternity serviced 2015 turned into a good rated maternity unit in 2016).
What inspires Gloria? “Never tired of continuously improve care for women and their families with the right team around me”
Personal Philosophy: “Do not limit yourself in life irrespective of colour, religion, culture or ethnic background. If you believe you can, then you would and be a limit breaker”
Professor Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu DBE CBE FRCN FQNI PHD
- In 1979 she was appointed as the first ever UK sickle cell/thalassaemia nurse counsellor and was Head of the Brent Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Information and Screening Centre until 1990.
- From 1990-1997 Elizabeth was lecturer, then senior lecturer in Community Genetic Counselling at the Institute of Child Health, University College London.
- From 1997-1999 she was Dean of the School of Adult Nursing Studies & Professor of Nursing at Thames Valley University (now University of West London) managing 53 lecturers.
- From 1999 to her retirement in July 2007 Elizabeth established and was Head of the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice [www.maryseacole.com] at TVU. On her retirement Elizabeth was honoured with the award of Emeritus Professor of Nursing.
Has had articles published in many journals. Co-editor with Professor Karl Atkin of The Politics of Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia (2001) Open University Press and A Short History of Mary Seacole: a resource for nurse and students (2005) RCN Publishing.
Elizabeth put a substantial amount of her life into her work as a nurse, health visitor and tutor working with black and minority ethnic communities in London. ‘People from diverse cultures are not always valued and still sometimes just seen as problems,’ she says. In 1979, she helped to establish in Brent the first nurse-led UK Sickle & Thalassaemia Screening and Counselling Centre. In 1988 she was awarded a PhD from the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL).
Elizabeth is a member of various committees including the Editorial Advisory Board of Nursing Standard & the NHS Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Screening Programme Steering Group. She is Vice-Chairperson of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal and is a Patron of the Sickle Cell Society and the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK and the Sickle & Thalassaemia Association of Nurses, Midwives & Associated Professionals (STANMAP). She is also the Vice-President of Unite/Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA) and is a member of the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s Black and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group. In 2001 she was awarded a CBE and in 2004 a Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing (FRCN). In February 2010 Elizabeth was inducted into the Nursing Times Nursing Hall of Fame for services to the Development of Nurse-led Services.
Elizabeth was vice-chairperson of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal from its launch in November 2003. The statue was unveiled in the grounds of London’s St Thomas’ Hospital in June 2016. Elizabeth is now a Life Patron of the new charity, the Mary Seacole Trust.
Felicia Kwaku currently works at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as an Associate Director of Nursing focusing on quality improvement & patient safety, so she could be working on the wards, auditing care, coaching staff, developing improvement projects or attending meetings.
She has 29 years nursing experience and specialised in general Intensive Care and Cardiothoracic nursing.
She trained at University College London Hospitals and holds an MSc in Human physiology. She has always been interested in Education/Development & held various educational roles including Lecturer Practitioner at London South Bank University. She has been a Director of Nursing in the Independent sector and at Whipps Cross hospital, BartsHealth London.
Felicia always had a passion for clinical practice ensuring that patients as well as staff are at the centre of our care. She believes that if the workforce isn’t highly valued then this is reflected in poor care. Although operational, she still performs clinical duties and is highly visible in and out of uniform. Prior to Kings College Hospital, she was Corporate Head of nursing at (North Middlesex hospital) responsible for leading the organisation’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) preparation & was the lead nurse in the quality improvement team.
Felicia coaches, supports & mentors individuals/staff which is a fundamental responsibility as it allows staff to grow and access to personal/professional development. She has mentored over 100 staff during her career.
Hospital business does not occupy all her time as she has recently completed a 6 year tenure as the Deputy Chair of the Chief Nursing Officer, Black Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group, NHS England and sits on various committees e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Professional Advisory group, NMC Subject Matter Expert, Education lead for Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK and has recently been appointed to the Royal College of Nursing International Committee.
Felicia is passionate about equality & diversity & strives to ensure the staffs from BME backgrounds are afforded equal opportunities and BME patients are afforded the right care and advocacy. She has previously established and supported BME networks in NHS organisations.
Felicia’s current forays have seen her volunteer at part of the Save a Heart Nigeria charity where she is part of a team that perform and teach Cardiac surgery in Nigeria
Felicia also lectures both nationally and on the international nursing healthcare scene.
In 2013, Felicia was named as one of the leading 50 black and minority ethnic (BME) pioneers in the UK at the Health Service Journal’s inaugural BME Pioneers programme
Comfort Momoh started her nursing training in 1981 and midwifery training in 1987, she has worked for the NHS for 33years, dedicated her life for women and their families
When I look back on my c.v. I see a distinct pattern of professional development which has involved work in the UK within the NHS and abroad. I have tried to approach my career to include the broadest possible experience from working with individuals, multi-agency professional, government departs and patients.
Previously worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, North Middlesex Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas. Worked for NHS for 33years supporting women and their families
Earned a Diploma in Women’s Health from Middlesex University in London, England in 1997. In 2001, I received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Women’s Health from the University of London in 2001. She also received a Master’s of Science degree in Health Education and Health Promotion from the University of London in 2005.
Since 1987, one of her primary professional concerns has been the health need of `women who have undergone FGM.
My work involving Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) began thirty-four years ago when I began to work with communities in Nigeria and then later on in the U.K. trying to empower women as a nurse/midwife. In 1997 I established a support service – clinic at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Foundation Trust for women and girls who have undergone FGM. Providing advise support, counselling and surgical repairs. I was the first midwife to be involved in this area of bringing FGM to the forefront in the UK. I then trained other midwives and doctors as well to set up their own clinic. The training lead to the establishment of sixteen centres for F.G.M. in the U.K. I designed and lead the first ever course/module on FGM with then lecturer Gill Aston at King’s College London – University of London.
I have also contributed greatly and achieved at a policy level. I have worked with all the main professional bodies i.e. The Royal College of Midwives, The Royal College of Nursing, The Royal College of Obstetric and Gynaecologist, Department of Health, Home Office and London Safeguarding Board.
I have collaborated with a vast range of professional bodies, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist and other professional bodies. The government Departments- Department of Health, Foreign Office and Home Office, Non-governmental organisations.
In 1997, she established the African Well Woman’s clinic at Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospitals. The clinic dedicated to providing health care, counselling and support to women who have undergone FGM.
I am active in FGM education and advocacy at the national and international level as well as at the local level. I work with government, communities that practice FGM, She served as a temporary advisor to the World Health Organization in Geneva.
Received MBE from the Queen in 2008.
Cllr Anna Mbachu is the First Female black Mayor of the Borough and also the first Igbo lady to occupy that position in the UK; thus breaking the glass ceiling and paving way for other BAME to follow.
Within her role as a Senior Practising Clinician and Councillor, she is known to work tirelessly, above and beyond with the communities by empowering them to achieving their goals.
Councilor Anna Mbachu supports numerous charities around the globe and is a recipient of awards and accolades. Due to her extensive local and international work she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree. This was followed by a chieftaincy title from a very famous Kingdom in Nigeria.
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