By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN – To mark a quarter-century of public health impact in Nigeria, APIN Public Health Initiatives has launched its “25 Acts of Service” campaign with a targeted nutrition empowerment program for women in Oyo State.
The outreach, designed to address nutritional gaps caused by current economic challenges, serves as the first in a series of community-focused events celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary.
Speaking at the event, the APIN Head of Office for Oyo State, Dr. Folake Adurogbola, stated that the initiative aims to equip women with practical knowledge and resources to sustain healthy diets for their families amid rising food costs.
“We are here to empower our women with targeted nutrition outreach,” Dr. Adurogbola said. “We all know what the economy is saying, and people are not able to eat well-balanced diets. We are teaching them how to get more nutrition from what they eat and supplying them with materials to prepare these meals at home for themselves and their children.”
Reflecting on the organization’s 25-year journey, Dr. Adurogbola highlighted APIN’s evolution from an HIV-focused entity to a comprehensive public health powerhouse.
She noted that the organization has left significant “footprints” across Nigeria, particularly in strengthening laboratory services and equipment in major teaching hospitals through support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“There is nowhere you step into Nigeria today that you will not see the footprints of APIN,” she said. “While we were known for HIV, we now handle any disease of public health importance, including malaria, newborn management, and cancers—especially cervical cancer.”
Addressing concerns regarding recent shifts in international funding and the sustainability of non-governmental organizations in Nigeria, Dr. Adurogbola expressed confidence in APIN’s longevity.
“APIN is not just a baby organization that will collapse because there is no funding,” she asserted. “If the funding stops today, APIN remains. We have been working on the sustainability of the organization itself. We are here to stay and will continue to deliver services to our people.”
Meanwhile, the prevention lead /Gender lead for APIN Public Health Initiatives Nigeria, Mrs Bola Thompson, noted that today’s event was in collaboration with the 70 NGOs selected across the state to serve as trainers to amplify the nutrition message across the state.
she noted that to mark the 25th anniversary, APIN has highlighted 25 special acts of service in celebrating the achievements and reinforcing its commitment to community health and national development.
However, she noted the Oyo State office of APIN will be implementing three, including the health and nutrition training held today.
“APIN Public Health Initiatives marks its 25th Anniversary through the impactful 25 Acts of Service initiative, the Oyo Office is proud to champion three meaningful outreach activities aimed at touching lives and strengthening communities:Nutritional Training: Equipping individuals and families with practical knowledge on healthy nutrition and wellness for improved living.
We will also be having a Hangout with Children, Creating a joyful and memorable experience for children through fun, interaction, encouragement, and care and lastly, we will be donating to Physically Challenged and Motherless Babies’ Homes, on this a day we will be Extending love, support, and hope through charitable donations and compassionate engagement with vulnerable groups in our communities.
These activities reflect APIN’s enduring commitment to service, compassion, health, and community development over the past 25 years.”
A beneficiary of the training, CEO Life Builders Foundation, Chief Dr. Mrs. Grace Oluwatoye congratulated APIN for the impactful milestone being celebrated.
She also lauded APIN for the business opportunity given to the women present, adding that if scaled up would change the nutrition narrative in individual households and the community at large.
