Awojobi emerges as Oyo ACHPN chairman, pledges improved welfare

The Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), Oyo State Chapter, has elected Mr Hezekiah Adebiyi Awojobi as its new chairman, with a pledge to improve members’ welfare and strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the state.

Awojobi emerged at the association’s 2026 State Delegates’ Congress held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, following the completion of the tenure of the outgoing chairman, Comrade Olushola-Jimoh Tolulope Adebanke.

The congress, themed “Transforming Community Health Leadership through ACHPN for Excellence, Unity and Greater Impact,” brought together practitioners and stakeholders to discuss leadership, professional development and the future of community health practice in Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Babatunde Olatunji, represented by the State Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Mr Tunji Oladoyinbo, commended community health practitioners for their contributions to disease prevention, child health, immunisation and health education.

He described the practitioners as frontline healthcare workers who play a critical role in delivering primary healthcare services at the grassroots.

He urged them to demonstrate the impact of their work through evidence-based reporting, stressing the importance of showing how their contributions were advancing the state’s healthcare system.

The National President of ACHPN, Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed, represented by the association’s Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Donnish Oluwasegun Oriola, commended the outgoing State Administrative Council for its service and contributions to the growth of the association.

Oriola charged the incoming leadership to build on the achievements of its predecessors by promoting transparent governance, accountability, members’ capacity development and stronger collaboration with government and other stakeholders.

He also appreciated Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for recognising the community health profession through the appointment of one of its members as a Permanent Secretary and for providing employment opportunities for community health practitioners in the state.

According to him, such measures could strengthen the healthcare workforce, expand access to primary healthcare and improve the delivery of essential health interventions at the grassroots.

He further urged the new executive to promote unity, strengthen internal democracy, uphold professional ethics and prioritise members’ welfare.

Oriola said effective leadership required humility, transparency and a commitment to collective progress, encouraging members to work together to secure greater professional recognition and improve healthcare outcomes across Oyo State.

In her valedictory address, the outgoing chairman, Adebanke, highlighted the achievements of her administration and urged the new executive to sustain the progress recorded during her tenure.

Adebanke, who also serves as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Ibarapa Zone, emphasised the need for integrity, transparency, unity and accountability in the association’s affairs.

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She described the peaceful transition of leadership as a significant milestone, noting that the process had taken place without the disagreements and crises that had characterised previous transitions.

“For the first time, we are witnessing a peaceful transition of leadership without the usual disagreements, crises, and confusion that have characterised previous transitions,” she said.

“To the glory of God, this development demonstrates that we have become more united, mature, and progressive, with the support of our members and representatives.”

She urged the incoming executive to maintain high standards of integrity and transparency, build on the achievements of the outgoing administration and take the Oyo State chapter to greater heights.

In his acceptance remarks, Awojobi, who served as state secretary under the outgoing executive, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the association and pledged to work with other executive members to improve practitioners’ welfare and strengthen community healthcare services.

He expressed confidence that collective effort and commitment would enable the new administration to empower members to provide better healthcare services to communities across the state.

Describing his emergence as “a great opportunity, a blessing from God, a call to leadership, and a call to service,” Awojobi prayed for the wisdom and strength to discharge the responsibilities of his office.

“We promise to improve the welfare of our members and provide better support that will enhance their service delivery, particularly in community healthcare,” he said.

Earlier, the guest lecturer, Mr Gideon Fatokunbo, delivered a lecture titled “Rejigging Responsibility in Leadership: A Necessity in Repositioning Community Health Practice in Nigeria.”

Fatokunbo stressed that responsible leadership was essential to advancing community health practice, urging practitioners to uphold professionalism, accountability, integrity and transparency.

He also emphasised the importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals, noting that community health practitioners must be able to demonstrate the value of their contributions when engaging with government and other stakeholders.

“When we sit at the table with the government, we must be able to present evidence of the work we do and demonstrate how our contributions are helping to improve healthcare delivery across the state,” he said.

The congress ended with renewed calls for unity, accountable leadership and professional development as the association’s new administration begins its tenure, with members expected to work collectively towards strengthening community health practice and primary healthcare delivery in Oyo State.