Nigerian healthcare professionals in the UK hold gala dinner and awards night to celebrate NHS at 70

DOZENS of Nigerians in the UK celebrated the 70th anniversary of the British National Health Service (NHS) with a special gala dinner in London during which awards were handed out to 70 outstanding healthcare professionals.

Held at the Grange City Hotel in central London on Saturday March 23, the event was organised by the Nigerian Healthcare Professionals in the UK. Among the guests who attended included the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK Justice George Oguntade, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the special assistant to the president on diaspora affairs and Professor Adewole, Nigeria's health minister.

Event organiser Dr Abbey Akinoshun, said it was put together to recognise and celebrate Nigerian healthcare professionals for their contribution to the NHS. Awards were presented to deserving professionals including consultants, nurses, midwives, mental health experts, surgeons, general practitioners, dentists, carers, medical technicians and trauma care professionals.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included Lord Victor Adebowale, the chief executive of Turning Point: Nero Ughwujabo, the special advisor to the British prime minister Theresa May on social justice and young people and Yvonne Coghill, the director of Race Equality in the NHS. Community leaders who were in attendance included Otunba Dapo Williams, Ben TV founder Dr Alistair Soyode, former Central Association of Nigerians in the UK general secretary Dr Peter Ozua, African Voice publisher Mike Abiola and cultural ambassador Ayan De First.

Prime minister May also sent in a personal message acknowledging the contributions Nigerians in the UK have made to the NHs over the last 70 years. She added that their contributions have had an important impact on the British healthcare system and helped shaped the NHS and the diversity of its workforce.

Hon Dabiri-Erewa said: "I think we are just the best in the world as there is nowhere you go that Nigerians are not excelling. Last year alone, you remitted $26bn to Nigeria, so I think it is time we begin to celebrate ourselves.

"I wonder how we can have you the best of the world  here and have the current state of healthcare in Nigeria. There is a diaspora commission put in place by President Buhari to work with you, so we are going to ensure that these brains do something back home, so together, we can build the Nigeria of our dreams."

She added that the health minister has already put together a programme called Diaspora Professional Healthcare Initiative, which aims to tap into the pool of talent and expertise abroad. According to Hon Dabiri-Erewa, the launch of the programme is in its final stages and when it is up and running, it will ensure Nigeria has one the best medical services in Nigeria.