Special Adviser to President on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, pays courtesy call to Igwe Nnewi , Innoson CEO IVM

 

Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Health, embarked on a high-impact tour to Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Her visit underscored the federal government’s commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and supporting indigenous industries across Nigeria.

The presidential aide first paid homage to His Royal Highness, Igwe K.O.N Orizu III, the traditional ruler of Nnewi, in a gesture that highlighted her respect for traditional institutions and their pivotal role in national development. Conveying warm greetings from President Tinubu, Dr. Anas lauded the Igwe’s contributions, particularly his support for the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), which she described as exemplary.

A notable highlight of her remarks at the royal palace was her commendation for the ICT center built by the Igwe for the hospital, a gesture she said had accelerated access to digital healthcare solutions. Offering prayers for the monarch, she wished him longevity, divine wisdom, and continued service to his people.

Before her visit to the palace, Dr. Anas toured NAUTH’s permanent site, where she expressed admiration for the infrastructural and service-level transformation achieved under the leadership of Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, the Chief Medical Director. Her assessment followed a comprehensive facility tour that showcased modern maternal and child care units, antenatal clinics, and surgical departments.

The Special Adviser praised Prof. Ugboaja for his transparency, absorptive capacity, and judicious use of resources, describing the hospital as a benchmark for healthcare excellence in Nigeria. According to her, the partnership between the institution and the local community has positioned NAUTH as the most outstanding teaching hospital in the country.

During the visit, Dr. Anas emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving universal healthcare. She stated that by leveraging community partnerships and institutional accountability, the government would ensure that quality health services reach every Nigerian. She noted that the expansion of basic healthcare funding promised by President Tinubu was already making a difference, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women and children.

Mothers at the facility shared firsthand experiences of receiving free antenatal care, delivery, and even cesarean sections—testimonies Dr. Anas cited as tangible evidence of the administration's commitment to health equity. These developments, she noted, embody the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu presidency.

One pressing issue that caught her attention, however, was the shortage of healthcare workers. Dr. Anas pledged to advocate for increased staffing and push for enhanced budgetary allocations to support NAUTH's growing demand for human resources and infrastructure.

Following her engagements at NAUTH and the royal palace, Dr. Anas visited the headquarters of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nigeria’s foremost indigenous automobile manufacturer. She was welcomed by the company's founder and CEO, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, who personally guided her through the state-of-the-art factory complex.

Clearly impressed by what she saw, Dr. Anas praised Chief Chukwuma for his role in tackling unemployment through local manufacturing. She declared that the federal government, under the directive of President Tinubu, had committed to purchasing 150 vehicles from Innoson—an endorsement of local content and self-reliance.

Addressing industry stakeholders, she urged governors, legislators, and public office holders to embrace homegrown innovation by procuring Innoson vehicles. "When we support Innoson, we are not only reducing unemployment; we are strengthening national pride and enhancing access to critical services like healthcare," she said.

She went further to reveal plans for a direct partnership between the Ministry of Health and IVM to supply ambulances nationwide, a move she believes will revolutionize emergency response services across the country. Dr. Anas described this plan as a lifeline that aligns with the president’s promise of delivering renewed hope to Nigerians.

The Special Adviser’s visit not only spotlighted the transformation of a key teaching hospital and an industrial icon but also illustrated how government, traditional institutions, and the private sector can come together to build a stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient Nigeria.