ASR AFRICA LAUNCHES A HEALTH INNOVATION SERIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI

ASR AFRICA LAUNCHES A HEALTH INNOVATION SERIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI

L-R: Dr. Mohammed Aboso, Ag. Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Prof. Adamu Rabasa, Keynote Speaker; Prof. Muhammad Dauda, DG ASR-ICE (representing the UNIMAID VC); Nakama Keri, Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa (representing Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa); Prof. Baba Malla Gana, Borno State Commissioner for Health & Human Services (representing the Borno State Executive Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; and Prof. Hamman Garandawa, Provost, College of Medicine, at the opening ceremony of the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series at the University of Maiduguri.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Abdul Samad Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has launched a Health Innovation Series at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), targeting 30 medical students who are completing their MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery).

Nakama Keri, Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa (representing Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa), delivering a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series at the University of Maiduguri.

This health series, a new initiative from ASR Africa for medical students, is designed to strengthen clinical preparedness, medical career development, leadership, innovation, and provide global exposure for young doctors and other emerging health professionals across Africa

Commencing the pilot at the university, the program incorporates practical conversations with experienced professionals, explores new technology and innovations that help participants navigate early career transitions, make informed professional choices, and contribute to stronger health systems.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the series, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Mele, who was represented by the DG of ASR Africa Innovation Centre & Entrepreneurship (ASR-ICE), Prof. Muhammad Dauda, commended the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the donation of the ASR-ICE building, which has attracted other partnerships, thereby making the Centre functional, value-adding, and of great benefit to the university community. He further said, “This health innovation series is an added value to the university from ASR Africa. Therefore, the medical students must reflect and ensure that the benefits of the series are harnessed for the betterment of your medical career and positive impact on the lives of your patients.”

Prof. Muhammad Dauda, DG ASR-ICE (representing Prof. Mohammed Mele, Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri), at the event.

The ASR Multilateral Coordination Specialist at ASR Africa, Nakama Keri, representing the MD/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, at the ceremony, hinged the successful take-off of the series on the collaborative relationship between the university and ASR Africa. During his remarks, Nakama noted, “This series is engineered to help outgoing medical students leapfrog past limitations hindering health practitioners from reaching their full potential early, and connect them with current medical technological realities.”

A cross-section of current and outgoing medical students of the University of Maiduguri at the opening ceremony of the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series.

According to him, strengthening healthcare through innovative approaches is central to ASR Africa’s Health initiatives and, by extension, the vision of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
While the Acting Chief Medical Director of the UNIMAID Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mohammed Aboso, summarized the series as a strategic investment in human capital development, he concluded his goodwill message by saying, “I believe that this series will be a catalyst towards raising a new generation of medical professionals, who are better exposed, informed, and prepared.”

In his speech, the Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malla Gana, who represented the Borno State Governor at the event, concluded that the series can be a game-changer in professional medical careers and encouraged the medical students to ensure that they stay in the State and offer their medical services to promote better local medical healthcare access for the people.
The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Prof. Adamu Rabasa, a pioneer 1983 medical graduate at the University of Maiduguri and currently a Professor of Pediatrics at the University.

A cross-section of current and outgoing medical students of the University of Maiduguri at the opening ceremony of the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series.

He challenged the medical students to be resilient, determined, and remain focused on maximizing the benefits of current medical technology in healthcare delivery through innovative medical approaches. Using his personal medical career journey, entrepreneurial successes, and legacy in the medical field, he encouraged the students to pursue professional excellence in their respective medical fields.

Among other dignitaries at the opening ceremony were the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Hamman Garandawa, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Board, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji, the university management, and college faculties.
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ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education, and Social Development within Africa.