From the Desk of the LOC Chairman, 10th National Conference on Divine Mercy 2016, Nigeria

On 28 December 2014, my wife, three children and I returned from the dead (virtually speaking) following an accident in which the Nissan Xterra jeep I was personally driving with my whole family got involved in an accident, somersaulted for about ten times – with some of its parts falling off as it went, and landed upside down on a rock in a nearby bush with five of us inside its belly. The vehicle was written off instantly (see photo inset). But with none of us sustaining as much as a dislocation, we knew it was only the MERCY of God that made that possible. The long stitch scar I bear today on my left wrist is the only remembrance of the day of His Mercy. Our trust for that journey was in the Lord. For “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is…. (Jer 17:7-8); And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Ps 1:3b).”

As officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission and others who saw this accident and vehicle observed, there was no scientific explanation why we all came out alive but the vehicle carrying us did not survive. While the jeep ended its life journey on that spot, God granted us the mercy and grace to continue our life journey with neither morbidity nor mortality from the accident. None of us spent a night in any hospital as a result, and all post-accident x-rays showed no internal injury in any of us. We returned to our home the same day (thanks to our brethren in the Knights of St. John and Parishioners/CMO who drove to Kogi to ferry us back to Abuja from the accident scene same day).

While recuperating in the days following the accident, we had told ourselves that God was not finished with us yet, that there must be a reason why He stopped death from taking any of us, and why He allowed the devil and its agents to go with the vehicle. HIS MERCY OVERSHADOWED US! We continue to pray and hope to fulfill ALL the very reasons why God saved us on 28^th December 2014, for “it was only by the mercy of God that all of us survived that accident”.

So, in May 2015 when I was approached by the leadership of Divine Mercy in Abuja Province to serve as the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Conference Coordinator for this Conference, the Holy Spirit made me understand that this is one of the many reasons why God spared us. As a professional conference consultant, I felt it was an opportunity to voice a little ‘thank You’ to the God of infinite Mercy who rescued us. I deployed to this assignment, every passion, resource, commitment and technical competence I have (for all were given to me by God). I took it as a job, and gave it my best, in a way that only God can pay me enough. Thank you God, for the opportunity to serve You in this capacity.

We put our trust in the Lord for the success of this conference, and He prospered it. Our LOC was inaugurated in June 2015, and together with all the members and supporters, we ran our race in this assignment. The National and Abuja Provincial leadership of the Divine Mercy Devotion have been very wonderful in their guide, cooperation and participation in the LOC’s tasks.

Our gratitude goes our Lord Jesus Christ who has given us the grace to serve, and to our Holy Father Pope Francis who has given us the Year of Mercy. We thank you our papa His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, our national promoter Most Rev. Martin Uzoukwu and our Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. Anselm Umoren for your approvals, support, patience and guidance. Thank you Rev. Fr. Boniface Opaluwa our Provincial Chaplain. The Abuja Provincial Leader Philo Ndive, her Deputy Offor Chidozie, Secretary Aniekwe Francis and the Provincial Exco released some of their powers for our temporary use for which I’m grateful. Many thanks to Rev. Fr. Vincent May Ogunsoro, Rev. Fr. Nwosu Anthony (MDM), Rev. Sr. Mary Tuku, Rev. Sr. Cecilia Azuh and all the clergy that actively participated in our meetings at the LOC, thus bringing your guide and knowledge to make us work better. The heads of our various subcommittees in the LOC have dedicated their vast time, treasure and talent to this work for which only God will bless them enough. All the members of the LOC are equally appreciated.

Many thanks to the national leadership of DMD especially Mr. Chris Nedum the National Secretary who always kept touch to know how the LOC’s work was progressing, and supported with available information whenever requested. Special thanks to Okwute M. Gabriel, Sir Michael I. Egye, Francis Mary Sumaila, Ujah Timothy, Izuchukwu Bede, Peter Ugwuagba, Veronica Igwe Ebi, Orimi Jamespaul A, John Ude, Akapa A.S., Manu Mellitus, Ekigwe P. Vivian, and all the members of the LOC and Steering Committee for your tireless work which contributed to our success. Like me, only God can pay you enough for your contributions. In a very special way, my heart remains with the Holy Trinity’s best gift to me, my best friend, best half and best critique Lady Edith Uzoadirieje in whom I remain eternally well-pleased, and to our children whose time I spent and whose sleep I truncated on all those long nights I stayed awake attending to issues relating to this conference. Like me, only God can pay you enough for your sacrifice and support. To all those who placed messages in the brochure, made donations in cash and or kind and or registered for this conference and everyone who supported us; we thank you and pray God to meet your needs in His Glory.

As I say “Go ye up, and prosper”! (2 Chron. 18:14), I pray that the Mercy of God shall abide with you always and everywhere…and as for me and my family, we will continue to serve the Lord God of Mercy in al our generations through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Jesus - I trust in YOU!

Dr. (Sir) Uzodinma Adirieje

LOC Chairman & Conference Coordinator

COMMUNIQUE released by the Nigeria National Cervical Cancer Screening Scale up Project Implementing Partners Meeting 2015

22 October 2015

Dear All,

This is to thank everyone who participated in the Sensitization Meeting for Implementing Partners (IPs), on the Nigeria National Cervical Cancer Screening Scale up Project (NNCCSuP), held in Abuja, at Yar’adua Centre, from 5-6 October 2015.

It is hoped that your commitment as a key stakeholder of the NNCCSup will be enduring, in order to actualize and sustain the objectives of the Project.

Below is the communiqué from the meeting. Kindly share it widely within your network and associates so as to ensure the promotion of the concept of the NNCCSuP, that Nigerian   women may find respite from the ravages of cervical cancer. 

Once more, thank you for your participation and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, FACB, MNIM, ACIPM

Conference Organizing Consultant
NNCCSuP Implementing Partners (IPs) and Strategic Planning Meetings 2015
Nigeria National Cervical Cancer Screening Scale up Project (NNCCSuP)
Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
Mobile: +234 81 88 55 44 14
Email: druzoadirieje2015@gmail.com
Web: http://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com.ng

 

 

COMMUNIQUE ON SENSITIZATION MEETING FOR IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS FOR NIGERIA NATIONAL CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING SCALE UP PROJECT

The sensitization meeting for Implementing Partners for the Nigeria national Cervical cancer screening scale up project was held from 5^th – 6^th of October 2015 at the Shehu YarAdua Center Abuja with the main goal of deliberating on making cervical cancer screening accessible to the Nigerian woman from age 30 and above for at least once in their life time.

The meeting was attended by over 80 Organizations including Civil Society Organizations, Government and Non-governmental organizations, Development Partners, Private Sector and the Media.

Technical Groups were created and include:

1.     Primary prevention

2.     Secondary prevention

3.     Tertiary prevention

4.     Advocacy

5.     Resource mobilization

6.     Information Education and Communication (IEC)Materials Development

Each Group deliberated and highlighted on the following important issues viz:

1.     Primary prevention Group – deliberated on Human Papilloma virus vaccination focusing on the following as its terms of reference:

·        Vaccination - the need to design modalities for vaccine coverage, cold chain, and service delivery mechanisms.

·        Design of vaccine delivery strategy to target age groups

2.     Secondary prevention Group-  came up with the following as its TORs-

·        Provision of screening instruments and kits for detection of the high risk HPV infected women.

·        Establish cross referral linkages for improved case-tracking and follow up by linking each PHC to a General Hospital that is further linked to a Tertiary Hospitals (Teaching/Federal Medical Centers/Specialist Hospitals) for high level referrals and supervision.

3.     Tertiary prevention Group – developed the following TORs -

·        Treatment  service delivery  in form of Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Cryotherapy  and Palliative care

·        Training and retraining of screeners and Practitioners

4.     Advocacy Group- came up with TORs as follows:

Develop strategies to achieve:

·        Mass mobilization, awareness creation, public education and resource mobilization

·        Education on cervical cancer, what screening is and the benefits of screening

5.     Resource mobilization Group – TORs were:

·        Identify sources of funding and make necessary contacts

·        Identify fund sourcing avenues and implement as appropriate

6.     Information Education and Communication (IEC) Materials Development Group – TORs:

·        Develop appropriate IEC materials for use that will assist in project implementation

Following deliberations , the following recommendations were arrived at for the attention of government and partners towards effective scale-up of cervical cancer screening in Nigeria namely:

·        Stepping up awareness from Federal, State, Local Government and Community levels

·        Government and Partners need to use multiple avenues to deliver HPV vaccines to girls between 9-13 years of age, both in and out of school, through e.g. school health programs and Maternal New born and Child Health week etc.

·        Appropriate algorithms should be developed for cervical cancer screening considering affordability, mobility, training of Health Care Workers and standardization of screening processes in Nigeria. In addition establish a Coordinating reference center

·        Treatment of advance cancer is cost prohibitive; hence the NHIS should strengthen the existing frame work to improve the financial support required through the scheme for cervical cancer prevention and treatment services.

·        Government and partners should engage donors and funding Groups such as multi-bilateral organizations, organized private sector, individual organizations and other foundations to mobilize resources for cervical cancer prevention and control. Government should set up a trust fund to manage the resources

·        Further to this, there should be allocation of some funds from the current allocation for National Health Act that has been approved; this will facilitate the purchase of essential materials needed by the Primary Health Care Centers for the Cervical Cancer Screening Program

·        To dispel the myths and superstition about cervical cancer and improve awareness on the need for screening  the development and disseminating  of information using various IEC materials is imperative , and this should be supported by government and private sector.

The meeting resolved to call on government and partners to take note and adopt these recommendations to ensure the achievement of access to cervical cancer screening for the Nigerian woman from age 30 and above at least once in her life time.

[sgnd.] Conference Communiqué Committee

1. Dr Ramatu Hassan                                      2. Olusoji M. Billyrose

3. Adedamola Aderoju MNIM          4. Dr Taiwo Oyelade

5. Dr John Tor-Agbidye         

 

AGENDA 2030: TRANSITING FROM THE 'MDGs' TO THE 'SDGs' IN NIGERIA

TRANSITING FROM THE 'MDGs' TO THE 'SDGs' IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD: NIGERIA IN FOCUS

Profile of RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ACTIVIST, Nigeria (Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje)

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is an Energy, Environmental, Community and Health Systems Strengthening Activist, who has worked with, and participated in the programmes/activities of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). Dr. Adirieje has been exposed to several sustainable energy issues/situations including National Initiatives on Efficient Lighting, Mandatory MEPS and labeling for CFLs in place (Ghana), Completed Draft MEPS for CFLs (Nigeria and Senegal), National bulk procurement and distribution programs for CFLs (Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo), ECOWAS Regional workshop on Energy Efficiency,  Lighting Testing Facility (Nigeria and Ghana), Development of sustainable markets efficient offgrid lighting technologies e.g. LED/Lighting Africa program (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal), Consumer and retail education campaigns on LEDs/Lighting Africa program (Liberia, Ghana, Mali and Senegal), and Distribution of off-grid lighting products to rural NGOs (Benin, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal). Uzodinma is currently the President of the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN), and also served as Programmes Coordinator of the Civil Society Energy Platform [CiSEP] during 2012 – 2013.

He was a participant/member of Global Virtual Workshop on Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency Lighting- Focus on Africa, organized by the World Bank in 2013. Nationally, he effectively participated in the Energy Efficiency Sensitization Workshop, and the First National Forum on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, organized by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in Abuja in 2011.In other spheres, he has provided consultancy services to such organizatons as the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Country Coordinating Mechanism for Global Fund (CCM Nigeria), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNAIDS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Agency for Control AIDS (NACA). A World Bank-trained monitoring and evaluation/evidence-generation consultant and health economist,  resource person/facilitator and trainer/capacity-builder, professional manager, health and community systems strengthening consultant, primary care practitioner, researcher/reviewer, programs/projects manager, negotiator/advocate, community leader, volunteer, blogger and author/writer/columnist. His areas of focus are Primary Health Care (PHC), HIV/AIDS/TB, Vaccines/Immunizations, Energy/Environment, Nutrition/Food Security, and Good Governance/Human Rights.

Dr. Adirieje has 10 years’ experience implementing large-scale and complex monitoring and evaluations, and surveys to collect individual, household, community and facility level data. He was a Trainer/Resource Person and Supervisor, training of 125 persons from the 36 States and FCT on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and supervised the M&E of the Home-Based Care component of the Global Fund Round 9 in the 36 States and FCT under the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria during 2010-2011, as the Programmes Coordinator/Administrative Secretary of the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN]. He was the consultant to Federal Ministry of Health and Unicef, Nigeria, for the Joint Annual Review [JAR] of National Strategic Health Sector Development Plan [SHDP] in Akwa Ibom State in 2012. Since 2012, Dr. Adirieje has served as Technical Consultant to the Country Coordination Mechanism [CCM] on oversight visitations to Global Fund’s Health Systems Strengthening, HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria projects and sites in Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Rivers States.

He has been providing monthly routine immunization (RI) monitoring and supportive supervision and capacity building in 250 (two hundred and fifty) health centres in Imo State since two years on. He was the consultant of World Bank and NACA that developed Imo State Multi-sectoral HIV & AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in 2012; and served as the sole consultant for the ‘Development of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria Comprehensive Manual of Precedures’ for Nigeria, 2012. In 2014, he undertook data quality self-assessment (DQS) of RI in Njaba LGA of Imo State on behalf of the National Primary Health Care Development Agencies (NPHCDA). He has strong capacity and experience in planning and organizing surveys, field work/logistics in Nigeria; and has good network of experience enumerators, supervisors, and data entry clerks and ability to mobilize and retain them all over Nigeria. He has proven experience with data quality assurance mechanisms (field work management, data entry programming, etc.) on Global Fund grants/projects; and has presided over the procurement of necessary equipment, including laptops under the Global Fund grant/projects. Uzodinma is familiar and experienced with both field and central-based data entry methods desired, speaks and understand English Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages and very much at home with the health sector in Nigeria desired having worked with three ministers and several commissioners for health in Nigeria in the last 10 ( ten) years. He has received the training on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Data Management; use and application of QuickBooks software; and Peer Participatory Rapid Health Assessment for Action (PPRHAA).

A former programme manager for advocacy and communications at the DFID-funded Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Dr. Adirieje is the Executive Director of Afrihealth Optonet Association – a national civil society network/coalition for health and community systems strengthening (HSS/CSS), and National Coordinator of the Civil Society Partnership for Development in Nigeria (CSPDN), Dr. Adirieje has demonstrated/proven leadership and effective communication competences by regularly facilitating communication between different stakeholders, government, non-government, and academic institutions, and leading and motivating teams of enumerators, data entry staff, etc. He has very strong interpersonal skills, is able to communicate flawlessly in written and spoken English, and very much familiar with the cultural context of the Nigerian states of Bauchi, Ekiti, Kebbi, Cross Rivers, Niger and Anambra. He’s also able to communicate in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages, and has a persistent knack for details; having also worked with/for both private and public sectors of the Nigerian health and development sectors.

Dr. Adirieje had also received the following additional trainings on M&E/evidence-generation from the USAID/Measure Evaluation/MSH: Optimizing your M&E team's performance: Improving internal communication and dealing with conflict; Overcoming the challenge of building and leading effective M&E teams for public sector, NGO and civil society organizations; The Virtual Leadership Development Programme (a Diploma course); Country Ownership & Organizational Capacity Building; and Creating an Enabling Environment for M&E Community of Practice [CoP]. He has more than 5 (five) years’ experience leading/managing large-scale and complex surveys to collect individual, household, and/or provider/firm-level data. He holds a doctoral degree and is a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) among other notable institutions in the country with demonstrated capacity and experience in leading/managing survey field work and logistics, and undertaking data quality assurance mechanisms (field work management, data entry programming, etc.).

Profile of HEALTH FINANCING AND SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONSULTANT, Nigeria (Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje)

I have been involved in Nigeria’s Health Insurance Schemes and systems since 2006 when I participated in the certificate course/training in Health Insurance and Health Systems Strengthening in Sao Paulo Brazil, while understudying Brazil’s health insurance system hands on, along with other Nigerian stakeholders including members of the National Assembly, Representatives of Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Board and management of the NHIS, Change Agents, representatives of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), NHIS Providers, Consumers, Civil Society and media. This training was used to review and streamline the Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) with substantial reference to the published report of the Brazil training which I wrote while I was the Programmes Manager at Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON). I participated actively and benefited well from the NHIS-organized activities and workshop for stakeholders prior to the role-out of its community-based health insurance scheme [CBHIS]. I served briefly as NHIS consultant on clinic audit for the scheme. 

I am at home with surveys in research and evidence-generation, and have received the following additional monitoring and evaluation (M&E)/evidence-generation related trainings from the USAID/Measure Evaluation/MSH: Optimizing your M&E team's performance: Improving internal communication and dealing with conflict; Overcoming the challenge of building and leading effective M&E teams for public sector, NGO and civil society organizations; The Virtual Leadership Development Programme (a Diploma course); Country Ownership & Organizational Capacity Building; and Creating an Enabling Environment for M&E Community of Practice [CoP]. I have also received training in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Data Management; use and application of QuickBooks software; and Peer Participatory Rapid Health Assessment for Action (PPRHAA).

I am an M&E consultant, resource person/facilitator and trainer/capacity-builder, professional manager, health and community systems strengthening consultant, primary care practitioner, researcher/reviewer, programs/projects manager, negotiator/advocate, community leader, volunteer, blogger and author/writer/columnist. My areas of focus are sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including HIV and AIDS, Primary Health Care (PHC), Vaccines/Immunizations, Energy/Environment, Nutrition/Food Security, and Good Governance/Human Rights. I have more than 10 years’ experience implementing large-scale and complex monitoring and evaluations, and surveys to collect individual, household, community and facility level data. I was a Trainer/Resource Person and Supervisor for training of 125 persons from the 36 States and FCT on M&E, and supervised the M&E of the Home-Based Care component of the Global Fund Round 9 in the 36 States and FCT under the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN] during 2010-2011.

I was a consultant to Federal Ministry of Health and Unicef, Nigeria, for the Joint Annual Review [JAR] for the Evaluation of Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Sector Development Plan [SHDP] in Akwa Ibom State in 2012. Since 2012, I have served as Technical Consultant to the Country Coordination Mechanism [CCM] on oversight visitations to Global Fund’s Health Systems Strengthening, HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria projects and sites in Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Rivers States. I was the GAVI consultant that provided monthly routine immunization (RI) monitoring and supportive supervision and capacity building in 250 (two hundred and fifty) health centres in Imo State during 2012-2014. I was also the consultant of World Bank and NACA that developed Imo State Multi-sectoral HIV & AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in 2012; and served as the sole consultant for the ‘Development of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria Comprehensive Manual of Procedures’ for Nigeria, 2012. In 2014, I undertook data quality self-assessment (DQS) of routine immunization in Njaba and Owerri West LGAs of Imo State on behalf of the National Primary Health Care Development Agencies (NPHCDA).

I possess strong capacity and experience in planning and organizing surveys, field work/logistics in Nigeria; and have good network of experienced enumerators, supervisors, and data entry clerks and ability to mobilize and retain them all over Nigeria. I have proven experience with data quality assurance mechanisms (field work management, data entry programming, etc.) on Global Fund grants/projects; and have presided over the procurement of necessary equipment, including laptops under the Global Fund grant/projects. I am familiar and experienced with both field and central-based data entry methods as may be desired. I am very fluent in written and spoken English and Igbo languages, with fair understanding speaking of Hausa and Yoruba also. I am very much at home with the health sector in Nigeria having worked with three ministers of health and several commissioners for health in Nigeria in the last 10 (ten) years. I have more than 15 (fifteen) years’ experience leading/managing large-scale and complex surveys to collect individual, household, and/or provider/firm-level data. I serve as a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) among other notable institutions in the country with demonstrated capacity and experience in leading/managing survey field work and logistics.

Previously, I was the programme manager for advocacy and communications at the DFID-funded Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), as well as the Head of Management/Administrative Secretary and Programmes Coordinator of CiSHAN. I have demonstrated/proven leadership ability and effective communication competences by regularly facilitating communication between different stakeholders, government, non-government, and academic institutions, and leading and motivating teams of enumerators, data entry staff, etc. I have a persistent knack for details and have also worked with/for both private and public sectors of the Nigerian health and development sectors.

 

A widely-travelled person, I am a World Bank-trained Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate and Health Economist, with involvement in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as an implementer, supervisor and trainer since 2010. I also hold a doctoral degree in Optometry from the College of Medicines and Health Sciences of Imo (now Abia) State University in 1988. I am currently a freelance consultant on health systems strengthening with M&E evidence-generation, capacity building and trainings, as my core competences. I am Fellow of the Academy for Capacity Building (FACB) and member of several professional bodies including the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

Profile of REPRODUCTIVE, MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CHILD HEALTH CONSULTANT/ADVOCATE, Nigeria (Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje)

I am a World Bank-trained Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate and Health Economist; researcher, trainer and curricula developer, conference and meetings organizer/coordinator, reviewer, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialist, programs/projects manager, professional manager, health and community systems strengthening (CSS/HSS) consultant, negotiator/advocate, community leader, volunteer, blogger and writer/columnist. My areas of focus are sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including HIV and AIDS, Primary Health Care (PHC), Health Insurance/Financing, Vaccines/Immunizations, Energy/Environment, Nutrition/Food Security, and Good Governance/Human Rights. In 1998-1999, I was the director and facilitator/resource person for 3 batches of training on ‘Overcoming Maternal and Child Nutritional Anemia’ for civil society organizations [CSOs] and community leaders and health workers in Badagry Lagos, 1998-1999.

I have 20 years’ experience implementing large-scale evaluations and studies/surveys to collect individual, household, community, LGA, State, National and facility level data. I trained and supervised 125 persons from the 36 States and FCT on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and supervised the M&E of the Home-Based Care component of the Global Fund Round 9 in the 36 States and FCT under the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN] during 2010-2011. I was a consultant to Federal Ministry of Health and Unicef, Nigeria, for the Joint Annual Review [JAR] for the Evaluation of Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Sector Development Plan [SHDP] in Akwa Ibom State in 2012. Since 2012, I have served as Technical Consultant to the Country Coordination Mechanism [CCM] on oversight visitations to Global Fund’s Health Systems Strengthening, HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria projects and sites in Kebbi, Katsina, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Rivers States.

I provided monthly routine immunization (RI) monitoring and supportive supervision and capacity building in 250 (two hundred and fifty) health centres in Imo State during 2012-2014, as a consultant to GAVI and National Primary Health Care Development Agencies (NPHCDA). I was also the consultant of World Bank and NACA that developed Imo State Multi-sectoral HIV & AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in 2012; and served as the sole consultant for the ‘Development of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria Comprehensive Manual of Procedures’ for Nigeria, 2012. In 2014, I undertook data quality self-assessment (DQS) of routine immunization in Njaba and Owerri West LGAs of Imo State on behalf of the NPHCDA.

I possess strong capacity and experience in planning and organizing surveys, field work/logistics in Nigeria; and have good network of experienced enumerators, supervisors, and data entry clerks and ability to mobilize and retain them all over Nigeria. I have proven experience with data quality assurance mechanisms (field work management, data entry programming, etc.) on Global Fund grants/projects; and have presided over the procurement of necessary equipment, including laptops under the Global Fund grant/projects. I am familiar and experienced with both field and central-based data entry methods as may be desired. I am very fluent in written and spoken English and Igbo languages, with fair understanding speaking of Hausa and Yoruba also. I am very much at home with the health sector in Nigeria having worked with three ministers of health and several commissioners for health in Nigeria in the last 10 (ten) years.

I have more than 15 (fifteen) years’ experience leading/managing large-scale and complex surveys to collect individual, household, and/or provider/firm-level data. I serve as a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) among other notable institutions in the country with demonstrated capacity and experience in leading/managing survey field work and logistics. Previously, I was the programme manager for advocacy and communications at the DFID-funded Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), as well as the Head of Management/Administrative Secretary and Programmes Coordinator of CiSHAN. I have demonstrated/proven leadership ability and effective communication competences by regularly facilitating communication between different stakeholders, government, non-government, and academic institutions, and leading and motivating teams of enumerators, data entry staff, etc. I have a persistent knack for details and have also worked with/for both private and public sectors of the Nigerian health and development sectors.

 
I hold a doctoral degree in Optometry from the College of Medicines and Health Sciences of Imo State University in 1988 (the University is now Abia State University). I have received the following additional M&E/evidence-generation related trainings from the USAID/Measure Evaluation/MSH: Optimizing your M&E team's performance: Improving internal communication and dealing with conflict; Overcoming the challenge of building and leading effective M&E teams for public sector, NGO and civil society organizations; The Virtual Leadership Development Programme (a Diploma course); Country Ownership & Organizational Capacity Building; and Creating an Enabling Environment for M&E Community of Practice [CoP]. I have also received training in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Data Management; use and application of QuickBooks software; and Peer Participatory Rapid Health Assessment for Action (PPRHAA). A widely-travelled person, I am Fellow of the Academy for Capacity Building (FACB) and member of several professional bodies including the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).