Encomiums as Aare Afe Babalola Bags NMA Topmost Award
....I am Inspired to do more for humanity - Afe Babalola.
The founder of Afe Babalola university, (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola has received the Distinguished Medical Vanguard Award (DMVA) from the Nigeria Medical Association NMA Ekiti State Branch.
The Award which is the most recognized and highest ranked in the medical field for non medical practitioners is given to Individuals who has contributed immensely to the growth of health care .
The event held at the Alfa Begore Hall in the university premises on 9th June 2022, witnessed a huge turn out of medical practitioners and other invited dignitaries who came from far and near to celebrate with the legal luminary.
The NMA chairman in Ekiti state Dr Kayode Ariyibi in his address described the Legal Icon as an asset to Ekiti State and the nation at large.
According to Dr. Kayode, the award is the most coveted of the 3 awards in the medical profession which is given out to personalities who has distinguished themselves in the medical society despite not being a medical practitioner themselves.
He maintained that Aare Afe Babalola is the first recipient of the award since the establishment of the association 25 years ago.
" This award is in line with the constitution of the Nigeria Medical Association to recognise, celebrate and encourage individuals who took health care as priority. The physical and infrastructural facilities which is evident in ABUAD multi system hospital and the contributions to the economic growth of the state by creating massive employment deserves commendation.
Article 16 section 22 of the NMA constitution empowers the association to give out this award to deserving individuals and it is notable that Aare Afe Babalola is the first recipient of this award" he said.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Smaranda Olarinde in her presentation extol the virtues of the founder while she took time to explain the growth of the ABUAD hospital which includes medical facilities, Industrial park and other investments in the institution.
"She was of the opinion that the institution recently ranked as one of the 400 best universities in the world by a US based Educational Organization is setting the pace and economic goals.
She therefore, thanked the NMA for deeming it fit to honour the founder whom she describes as a man who has passion for humanitarian services."
The Legal Icon flanked by his wife Yeye Aare was thereafter decorated with NMA Jersey and presented with a Plaque, Medallion and a glass portrait of the founder to the admiration of the audience.
The award was then presented by the NMA Chairman and ably assisted by Professor J.O Sanya and Dr. Omole.
Responding, the awardee Aare Afe Babalola thanked the NMA for recognizing his efforts and celebrating him for what he has been able to achieve.
He said, "I was happy to counter the belief of the white men who called Africa a black continent and so think the black community cannot do anything for themselves."
He lamented the huge amount of money spent on servicing debts and medical trips by the Nigeria government officials while calling on the government to look inwards in solving the challenges facing the nation.
" If you want Success, it must start from your home. I am proud that the NMA is taking note of what we are doing here , I am inspired and moved. For someone who use to sleep on Banana leaves to this point of stepping on marbles. I keep saying to myself why me? How did I do it? But God in his infinite mercy gave me good health"He concluded.
In attendance were the representative of the commissioner for Health in Ekiti State, Dr. Odunayo from the NMA Board of Trustees in Abuja,Professor J.O Sanya a former NMA chairman, Resident Doctors chairman, Dr. Olaniyi Olaoye and Dr. K.S Adeniyi and others who graced the event.
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