SPEECH BY SENATOR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON, SECRETARY TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION AT THE INAUGURATION
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTIES OF THE NIGERIA CENTENARY
CHARITIES TRUST AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF SECRETARY TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION ON THURSDAY 12TH
DECEMBER, 2013
Protocols.
I am pleased to welcome you all to this special event of the inauguration of the Board of Trusties of the Nigeria Centenary Charities Trust. I want to thank most profoundly, our Elder Statesmen, the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and indeed all other members for accepting to serve on the Nigeria Centenary Charities Trust, Board of Trustees.
As you may recall, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria flagged-off the Nigeria Centenary Celebration on the 4′ of February 2013. At that ceremony, Mr. President made it known that the Nigeria Centenary Celebration will be private sector driven. Following from that directive, we invited Nigerians to come up with creative ideas and programmes together with funding strategies in line with the approved concept document for the Centenary celebration. The Nigeria Centenary Charity Ball (NCCB) is one of such creative initiatives.
The primary focus of NCCB is to improve our Health Care outcomes to complement existing programmes/Projects of the Federal and State Governments across the country. As you are aware, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health has initiated several Public Private Partnership projects in Federal Teaching Hospitals in its resolve to meet our peoples’ healthcare needs at all levels.
Various programmes such as the Polio Eradication Campaign, Maternal and Child Healthcare programmes, Mid-wives Training, Provisions for Foreign for Specialist doctors are clear evidence of Government’s commitment to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Government acknowledges that the challenges in the Health Sector will require the collaborative effort of both the Government and well-meaning Nigerians to overcome. The Nigeria Centenary Charity Ball initiative is intended to complement Government’s effort in this critical area. am particularly delighted that these distinguished Nigerians have accepted to help drive this process and help bring to fruition the objectives of the Nigeria Centenary Charity Ball.
I therefore have no doubt that with the experience, antecedents and contacts of members of this Board, leadership, accountability and transparency will be brought to bear in the running of the Nigeria Centenary Charities Trust (NCCT). The dates and programmes for the Centenary Charity Ball will be unveiled by the Board after this inauguration.
It is now my honour to formally inaugurate the Board of the Nigeria Centenary Charities Trust (NCCT) composed as follows:
(i) General Yakubu Gowon, (RTD) GCFR – Chairman
(ii) Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCVO, CON, CFR – Vice Chairman
(iii) Senator Amadu A. Ali, fss; CON, GCON – Member
(iv) H. R. M. King A. J. Turner, MFR, JP – Member
(v) Her Excellency, Justice Fati Abubakar – Member
(vi) Her Excellency, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio – Member
(vi) Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, CON – Member
(vili) Dr. (Mrs.) Doyin Abiola – Member
(ix) Mr. Austin Ufomba – Member
(x) Ms. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu – Member
(xi) Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde – Member
(xii) Mr. Sam Nwaobasi – Member
(xili) Dr. Kingsley Esegbue (Secretary) – Member/Secretary
Once again I thank Your Excellency and Members of this Board for graciously accepting to continue your worthy services to our Fatherland in this capacity, and wish you success in your assignment.
I thank you for your attention.