DELIVERING CARE TO THE CARERS
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ABOUT THE SORE AWARDS
For the past several decades, our country Nigeria has been suffering from a massive brain drain, particularly within the health sector. Our best minds are leaving the country in droves in search of greener pastures in the West. However, the rate has increased exponentially over the past decade, when the ‘Japa’ syndrome became much more pronounced. Now it is stranger for a young professional to not have plans to leave.
Over 80% of recently graduated medical professionals have plans to leave and never come back. Interestingly, even very highly placed and essential leaders in their individual fields of medicine have joined the band-wagon. Established professionals, frustrated with the state of the economy and the failing systems, have also emigrated. I can mention at least five who had practiced here for 15 years and more, and who still found it better to emigrate. More are leaving daily. Those still here seem to not have the opportunity yet. This is a problem of epic proportions, and the immediate and long-term effects on our Healthcare system are devastating.
The Specialists Outstanding Recognition (SORE) Awards for Health Professionals is an initiative to recognise and appreciate those still here, who are putting in their best to provide exceptional service, in order to demonstrate that they are seen and appreciated, not just by well-meaning people and peers, but also by the government, and so the SORE Awards is organised by the Sure-Oyebamiji Foundation in partnership with State Governments across the country and will be identifying the key personnel working behind the scenes to keep the Healthcare system running – the unsung heroes, so to speak.
SORE (show-ray) means “Do good” or “Show Care” and these awards remind us all that it’s time to Show Care to those who Care- our Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses and Healthcare professionals on the front-lines. The Award will foster massive recognition for the winners among peers, and encourage others to give best service. Motivation is a very powerful force, and these Awards will boost the health sector and increase morale with long-lasting positive effects on the entire system.
NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON, THE SORE AWARDS
Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu
Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation. She has served in several strategic leadership roles in public life, including as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Netherlands from 2000 to 2003, and later as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital at Idi-Araba. She was also one of the 15 delegates representing the Southwest zone at the 2014 National Constitutional Conference, where she served on the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.
She is the Chairman of American Newspapers of Nigeria, publishers of the over 70 year-old Nigerian Tribune and other titles. An Occupational Health Physician, she graduated from Bristol University in 1972 with the MB ChB degree, after which she worked in several teaching hospital posts. She then went on to obtain postgraduate qualifications at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1979. She worked in private practice in this capacity for nine years, followed with a career break, which involved significant leadership and administrative positions, as well as public policy analysis and research.
She served as Nigeria’s Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), where she was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Conference of States Parties, Member then Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Vice Chairman of the First Review Conference, and Chairman of the African Group of States Parties. Subsequently, she chose to return to her profession as an Occupational Health Physician and among other positions, she is currently the 1st Vice Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum. She is an Honorary International Women’s Society member. She has been conferred with various chieftaincy titles, including Yeye Onibudo of Ife. She is Iya Ewe of Our Savior’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, and Asiwaju Obinrin Onigbagbo of Ogun State.
She is the recipient of several awards, including Outstanding Contribution to Human Development (NAWOJ Oyo State), Outstanding Role Model (Youth Focus Initiative), the Kwame Nkrumah Award for Service to Pan Africanism, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Platinum Distinguished Leadership Award by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students. She also received an award for her contributions to the growth of the Anglican Church and an award for contribution to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu is a proud mother and grandmother.
PROJECT STRATEGIST, SORE AWARDS
Dr Adedoyin Adeoye
Dr Adedoyin is an experienced Clinical Pharmacist and Entrepreneur with a strong background in community and Retail Pharmacy. She has many years of dedicated service in community health development, both in urban and under-served areas.
She has managed retail pharmacies that not only provide essential medications but also implement high-impact community health initiatives such as the “Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative for Communities” which improves proper antibiotic use by patients to prevent abuse and resistance. In her capacity as Director, Health Operations of the Sure-Oyebamiji Foundation, she has organised numerous free health outreaches in partnership with a large team of Consultant Gynaecologists, Optometrists, Dentists, Family Doctors and Pharmacists, reaching hundreds of people with much-needed health consultation, medications and health information.
She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Certificate in Global health from the AB Global Health Institute. She has also garnered clinical experience at University College Hospital, UCH Ibadan the National Air Force Hospital Abuja.
She is an inspirational speaker and Projects Coordinator per excellence, having spoken at various universities across the country to contribute to the nation’s crop of future leaders. She is a Director at Sure Dawn Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy store that dispenses a wide array of affordable medications of the highest quality. She is currently coordinating the SORE Awards Projects, including the Outreach Buses and Health Hub. The buses will improve transportation of personnel & equipment and logistics for free health outreaches, particularly in the underserved hard-to-reach areas, and the Health Hub will serve the indigent population with free essential medications when health outreaches are not being held. Her vision and passion is to reduce preventable deaths to the barest minimum by all possible means.
ASSISTANT PROJECT STRATEGIST
Mayowa Kolade
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rev. Tony Akinyemi
Tony Akinyemi is arguably the pioneer Holistic Health Coach in Nigeria. He has been sharing his Holistic Healthy Living message through Radio, Television, Health Seminars, Newsletters, Books, DVDs, CDs, and on Social Media for close to two decades now.
Rev. Tony Akinyemi has 22 published books to his credit and is also a writer for many magazines and newsletters. His passion for teaching healthy living principles was borne out of his desire to help people prevent or reverse various so-called incurable diseases, having recovered from a debilitating disease himself. He now teaches the very principles that helped him to recover. He believes that most diseases are largely preventable. He also believes that what we need is not more medication but more education. He has always proclaimed that the best prescription is knowledge.
Tony Akinyemi has earned three certifications in three different fields and has tremendous experiences in all three fields, spanning several years. He first earned a degree in Computer Engineering from the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now called Obafemi Awolowo University). He was posted to Lagos State, Nigeria, for his NYSC 35 years ago and has lived in Lagos, Nigeria ever since. He was the Chief Engineer of Chams Nigeria Ltd, a foremost Computer Engineering & ICT firm in Lagos. He later obtained another degree in Theology from the L.I.F.E. Bible College & Theological Seminary in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. His third certification is in Holistic Nutritional Consulting which he obtained from the Natural Healing College in California, USA. He is BOARD CERTIFIED as a Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP).
‘Tony Akinyemi pastors THE SHEPHERD’S FLOCK INTERNATIONAL CHURCH (TSF) with headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos. He also leads the RAPHA HEALTHY LIVING INSTITUTE (R-HLI) in Ikeja where Healthy Living Ambassadors are trained and released to spread the healthy living message around the nation and beyond. His REV. TONY AKINYEMI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (rTSF) currently sponsors more than 100 indigent but brilliant students with full scholarship covering 100% tuition, paying their way from Primary through Tertiary institutions.
The Reverend ‘Tony Akinyemi is married to Tutu, a Chartered Accountant and an MBA degree holder, and they are blessed with three great children.
SPECIAL ADVISERS
Dr Charles Oluwabukunmi Kolade
Dr Charles Oluwabukunmi Kolade is a specialist Consultant Gynaecologist with extensive experience in in-vitro fertilisation and fertility counselling, who is currently a managing partner at Cherith Brooks Women’s Clinic. Prior to his joining the Cherith Brooks Women’s Clinic he was the lead gynaecologist and fertility specialist at the Vine Branch Fertility Centre, Ibadan where he championed the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of people with fertility challenges, and where he still consults.
At the Vine Branch Fertility Centre, he has successfully recorded assisted conception births of more than 700 babies, an average of 50% of successful operations. He is also an expert in gynaecological endoscopy, treatment of sexual dysfunction and cosmetic gynaecology.
He is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SOGON), the International Society for In-Vitro Fertilisation (ISIVF), and Advancement of Gynaecology Endoscopy of Nigeria.
He recieved his medical training at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and this was followed by a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University College Hospital Ibadan. He is a Patron of the Endometriosis Support Group, Nigeria.
Pharm Taofik Odukoya
Pharm Taofik Odukoya is a versatile professional with a solid foundation in both pharmacy and business administration. His academic qualifications include dual Master’s degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, providing him with a unique blend of scientific knowledge and strategic leadership skills essential for success in the healthcare industry.
Continuously committed to expanding his expertise, Pharm. Odukoya holds a fellowship with the Chartered Institute of Economics of Nigeria and has pursued specialised certifications in Budgetary Control, Scaling a Business, and Business Transformation from prestigious institutions including Lagos Business School, Wharton Business School, and Stanford University.
Asides from his academic achievements, Pharm. Odukoya is a respected business coach and speaker, actively contributing to healthcare policy development, particularly in the area of vaccinations. He has also been recognised as a Distinguished Pharmacist by the National Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria and a Merit Award Winner by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Oyo State.
Pharm. Odukoya has steered Vanguard Pharmacy Ltd as Founder and CEO for over 18 successful years. Under his leadership, the Pharmacy has become a renowned brand, offering retail pharmacy, veterinary services, supermarkets and bakeries, leading to being awarded the Most Improved Pharmaceutical Retail Outlet at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards in 2021. For the future, he and his team are focused on scaling and establishing Vanguard as a household name across Nigeria and West Africa by 2030, and they are well on their way...
Professor Oluwatoyin A. Odeku
Professor Oluwatoyin A. Odeku is a Professor of Pharmaceutics and former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and obtained her M.Sc. and PhD degrees from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She also holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Benin. She joined the service of the University of Ibadan as an Assistant lecturer in 1993 and rose to become a Professor in 2008.
Professor Odeku had her postdoctoral training at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem School of Pharmacy, Jerusalem, Israel. She has been a Visiting Scientist at various Universities within and outside Nigeria. She has served as a visiting Professor to several Universities including the University of Bonn, Germany; the University of Potsdam, Germany and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, among others.
She has received many awards including UNESCO/Israel Co-Sponsored Post-Doctoral Fellowship, MacArthur Foundation Grant, CAS-TWAS Visiting Scholar Fellowship, TWAS Research Grants, DAAD Visiting Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship, and the CV Raman Senior Fellowship, among others. She is a 2005 Georg Forster Research Fellow at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg. She returned to Bonn for a research group linkage from 2011 to 2014 and is currently collaborating with colleagues at the University of Potsdam, Germany. She is a recipient of the 2021 Humboldt Alumni Award for Innovative Networking Initiatives where she is undertaking a structured mentoring program for women in academia across Nigeria. She is the Humboldt Ambassador Scientist in Nigeria for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.
Odeku is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, and the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy.
Dr Helen Oduntan
Dr Helen Oduntan, professional par excellence, is a Pharmacist who served as the first Director of Pharmaceutical Services, UCH in 2015, the first of its kind in any teaching hospital in Nigeria. She received her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and began her career as a Pharmacist by undertaking the compulsory one-year internship training at the Department of Pharmacy, University College Hospital, Ibadan from August 1981 to July 1982. She joined the services of the hospital on the 1st of July, 1987. She had her post-graduate education at the University of Ibadan (Msc Pharmacology) as well as the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists where she is a Fellow of the Faculty of Social and Administrative Pharmacy. She is a certified Professional Manager of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
She has specialist training in management of pain through the Treat the Pain Initiative of the American Cancer Society and adverse drug reactions (National Pharmacovigilance Centre of NAFDAC). She further served on the Executive Leadership Board of the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, rising to the position of Vice President.
While in office at UCH, Dr Helen Oduntan was seen by many as a consummate pharmacist that is passionate about new ideas and innovations in science and pharmacy. She created the Informatics unit in the department to cater for the e-pharmacy need. In recognition of her contributions to the development of hospital pharmacy in Nigeria, she received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest Pharmacy Award in Nigeria. Mrs Helen Oduntan is a member of several regional and continental bodies. She is a member of the International Federation of Pharmacists (FIP) and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. While in service, she attended and made several presentations at various national and international conferences organised by the FIP and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.
She retired after 32 years of service, leaving behind a legacy of pragmatism and assiduity in the management of human and material resources. She is happily married to Otunba Kayode Oduntan, the Otunbo Atoluke of Iworo, Ijebu Ode and the marriage is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.
Engr. Olusemire Abogan
Olusemire Abogan, an engineer, was born in Ijebu Jesha on July 5, 1955 to the family of Chief Isaac and Mrs Florence Abogan. He is a registered engineer and member of both the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and Institute of Motor Industry of the United Kingdom.
He was a workshop and Branch Manager in various locations of SCOA Motors in Nigeria before setting up his own Company (Natholab Engineering Co Ltd) where he remains the Chief Executive Officer till date. He is a Diocesan Engineer and member of the Diocesan board, a delegate to the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria and a member of the Primate Advisory council of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion representing the Diocese of Ijesha North.
He is widely travelled and married to Mrs Abimbola Abogan, a father and grandfather.
Prof. Olubukola Monisola Oyawoye
Prof. Olubukola Monisola Oyawoye, FNSM, FSETPOM, MSFM, MBSN, FICWLS, obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) in Microbiology from Ogun State University in 1987, M.Sc. in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1991 and Ph.D. in Microbiology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi in 2000.
In addition, she holds PGDs in Education and Food Management from ATBU and Hebrew University of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
She is a Fellow, Nigerian Society of Microbiology and Member, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, American Society for Microbiology and Society for Applied Microbiology, London. She is also a Fellow of the International Chartered World Learned Society, USA having received their Golden award as Notable and Top Distinguished Professor of the 21st Century. She was also simultaneously accorded the title of the ‘Life Fellow of the International Chartered World Learned Society’ by a UNESCO Laureate.
She served as the Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation under Gov Rauf Aregbesola, and is back in academia at the Faculty of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede.
Dr Akin Fagbemi
Currently serving as the Chairman, of the Hospital Management Board of Oyo State Government, Dr Akin Fagbemi is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Abuja, Nigeria. He has over two decades of experience working at the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). He started his career as a Senior Regulatory Officer responsible for granting authorization for importing and exporting chemicals and inspecting storage facilities to ensure safety standards in the management of chemical and hazardous substances. He was also in charge of granting authorization for the import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as other controlled substances to mention but a few. He later served as Group Head, of Food Safety, Monitoring and Evaluation (NAFDAC). NAFDAC is Nigeria’s topmost vaccine and drug administration agency that seeks to promote healthy living and safeguard the health of the nation.
Dr Fagbemi is a dynamic, energetic, and visionary administrator, an academic and astute researcher in pharmaceutical procurements, biotechnology and processing, food risk assessment, good manufacturing practices, molecular biology, public health, microbiology, public health and public policy formulation for more than 25 productive years. He is a self-motivated and enthusiastic scientist, teacher, trainer, researcher, and scholar whose research interest covers pharmaceutical sciences, food biotechnology, food science and nutrition, food analysis, food biotechnology, bioinformatics, public policy formulation, health management, and safety.
He has endured a successive and non-stop academic sojourn of reading, writing, and researching in food processing and microbial biotechnology and food safety leading to the award of three higher academic degrees from 2002 to 2021 in Nigeria and several countries abroad.
Pharm. Kunle Oyelana
A pharmacist by training, Kunle Oyelana has almost 30 years of immense experience in the pharmaceutical industry, about two decades of which were spent in managerial positions spanning Africa and Asia.
Before rising to the rank of Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK) in 2019, he was the Marketing Director of the company, for the Classic and Established Products (CEP) portfolio in Africa and developing countries in Asia.
He is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where he bagged a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy. He equally holds a Master’s of Business Adminstration (MBA) degree from the same institution.
His areas of core competence encompass sales, marketing and business development in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare. Oyelana rose to the position of Group Product Manager for Vaccines in Anglophone & Francophone West Central Africa in July 2007. He served in this capacity between January 2005 and June 2007. In January 2009, he left the position of Group Product Manager to take up the role of Sales Manager, Vaccines between February 2009 and May 2009.
After this, Oyelana served as the Group Product Manager, Antibiotics for Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa from June 2009 to June 2010. He was made Category Manager of GSK Africa Centre of Excellence for Classic Brands in July 2010, a position he left in March 2012. Also, Mr Oyelana spent over 3 years as Marketing Manager for Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa between April 2012 and September 2015, after which he was appointed the Marketing Director of GSK in September 2015.
Oluwafunmibi Omole
SORE AWARDS 2026
The SORE AWARDS brings together hundreds of medical professionals in different cadres to Celebrate Consistent Commitment to Service in the Nigerian Health sector.
This year, 150 carefully selected medics will be awarded from all Federal and State Hospitals in Oyo State. Cadres include Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses and midwives, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, Dentists, Dieticians, Medical Lab Scientists and Radiographers.
Special Appearance: His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde
The Awards Ceremony is Free To Attend But REGISTRATION IS COMPULSORY as there are limited seats. Once seats are full registration will be closed
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS OF HONOR
Gov Oluseyi A. Makinde
Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde can best be described as a phenomenon that many political actors did not see coming. But, like a flame cast on dry leaves in the peak of harmattan, he ignited a political consciousness that spread hope and a renewed belief in good governance in the minds of the people of Oyo State. He ran a people-centred campaign fired by a passion for excellence and sustainable development which has inspired loyal followership.
Oluseyi Makinde graduated as an Electrical Engineer from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, in 1990, and was further trained in Industrial Control Services in Houston, Texas in 1998. Between 1999 and 2005, he attended the Lagos Business School (now Pan African University), Jiskoot Auto Control Training Centre, Kent, England, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His education and training prepared him to succeed as a businessman and Group Managing Director of Makon Group Nigeria Limited, which he founded. It also prepared him for the vagaries of political life.
As a philanthropist, he has touched the lives of thousands in Oyo State through scholarships and other community development projects. His quest to touch even more lives and a commitment to helping Oyo State’s private sector create more job opportunities dictated his sojourn into politics.
He was elected Governor of Oyo State on March 10, 2019. Since then, he continues to fervently pursue policies that will turn around the economic fortunes of the people of Oyo State and reinstate it in its position as the Pacesetter State. His Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State rests on four pillars: Education, Healthcare, Security and the use of Agri-business to drive the Economy. He is determined to run an inclusive government, and maintain an effective feedback system, so he remains apprised of all governance challenges facing the people of Oyo State.
Governor Oluseyi Makinde remains committed to using his office as Governor of Oyo State, to bring about development that will outlast his tenure and and be used as a benchmark for good governance in Oyo State and Nigeria.
Peter Gregory Obi
His Excellency, Fmr Governor Peter Gregory Obi CON (born 19 July 1961) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as the Governor of Anambra State three separate times from 2006 to 2014. In May 2022, he became the Labour Party candidate for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election.
Born in Onitsha in 1961, Obi graduated from the University of Nigeria with a B.A. (Hons) in Philosophy in 1984. Afterwards he entered business and banking, eventually rising to hold several high-ranking executive positions at banks. He further attended Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, the London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, the International Institute for Management Development, the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University, Said Business School of Oxford University and the Judge Business School of Cambridge University.
By the early 2000s, Obi was the chairman of Fidelity Bank before leaving the position to enter politics. Obi ran for governor in 2003, as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance but his main opponent was unlawfully declared victor. After three years of legal battles, Obi was declared winner in 2006 and assumed office that March. He was then impeached that November before the impeachment was overturned and he returned to office in February 2007. Again, Obi was removed when a new election was held in April 2007 but the judiciary intervened again and ruled that he should be allowed to complete a full four-year term. In 2010, he won re-election to a second term. Obi’s terms were marked by improvements in state finances, education, and healthcare.
He has received awards and honors too numerous to list.
Notable achievements and firsts:
– Youngest Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc and the first Governor, whilst still in Office, to be appointed a Special Adviser to the President.
– Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Best Performing Governor on Immunization in South-East Nigeria receiving 1 Million dollars, which with complementary funding was used to build 10 Maternal and Child Care Centres across the State, particularly in rural communities, in partnership with the Churches.
– His Administration built the first state-owned Teaching Hospital, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu teaching Hospital, Awka.
– His Government was the first to do Poverty Mapping in Nigeria, as a guide for the effective implementation of their poverty-alleviation strategies.
– His Government, for the first time, undertook the aerial mapping of Awka as well as the production of Structure Plans for Awka Capital Territory, Onitsha and Nnewi.
– During his tenure and with his Government’s support, Anambra State became an oil producing State.
– By the end of his tenure in 2014, more than twelve (12) health institutions, including two hospitals, had secured accreditation; before his tenure, no health institution in Anambra State was duly accredited.
– Anambra State was the first to undergo national peer review, which scrutinised State Governments for good governance, through the State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM), an initiative of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the DFID.
Peter Obi married Margaret Brownson Obi (née Usen) in 1992. They have two children – a boy and a girl. Obi is a Catholic of Igbo descent.
ROYAL FATHER OF THE DAY
Oba Adewolu Ladoja
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, born 25 September 1944 is a Nigerian businessman, politician and monarch. He served as the governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2006; and from 2006 to 2007.
He attended Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School before going on to study at the University of Liège, Belgium where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. He obtained a job with Total Nigeria, an oil company, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before entering private business in 1985. His business interests include Shipping, Manufacturing, Banking, Agriculture and Transportation. He was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in 1993 during the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic, and was a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) during the Abacha Political Transition.
A prolific man, Oba Ladoja became a director of Standard Trust Bank Limited in 2000.
Oba Ladoja was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 on the PDP platform, and took office on 29 May 2003.
In a historic coronation, Oba Ladoja ascended the Olubadan throne on September 26, 2025, after first becoming Mogaji in the 1980s and later taking his place on the ladder as Jagun Olubadan on 1 October 1993. He is the first former governor to ascend the coveted throne
OUR LIAISON OFFICERS
UNITED KINGDOM LIAISON OFFICERS
Dr Omotola Alimi-Akinyede
Dr Omotola Alimi-Akinyede is a Medical Doctor whose professional journey is marked by a strong commitment to service, compassion and excellence in patient care across diverse healthcare settings.
She obtained her medical degree from Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine, in 2018, and subsequently returned to Nigeria to complete her Housemanship and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). She went on to practice medicine for several years, delivering care in both urban and rural communities, with particular attention to individuals and populations with limited access to healthcare services.
In 2023, driven by a desire to broaden her clinical experience and deepen her impact, Dr Alimi-Akinyede relocated to the United Kingdom, where she worked within the National Health Service (NHS). During this time, she gained valuable experience in Paediatrics, while continuing to develop her skills in patient-centred and family-focused care.
She commenced her specialty training as a General Practice Trainee in August 2024, a path that closely aligns with her passion for holistic, community-based medicine and long-term patient relationships. She distinguished herself during rotations in Psychiatry and Palliative Medicine, where her empathy, clinical insight and calm, reassuring presence were particularly evident. Her approach to care is guided by a deep respect for dignity, compassion and the importance of treating the whole person, not just the disease.
Dr Alimi-Akinyede’s career spans multiple countries and healthcare systems, shaping her into a well-rounded physician with a global outlook and strong sense of purpose. She remains committed to meaningful service, community development and contributing positively to the health and wellbeing of the society.
Pharm. Ayomipo Adegeye
Ayomipo Adegeye is a Pharmacist and former lecturer in the Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Presently, he is an early career researcher in the United Kingdom where he studied at the University of Nottingham and is currently interested in scientific research of infectious tropical diseases.
He is interested in building the scientific capacity of young Africans to address significant health gaps and stimulate drug development and production efforts on the continent.
UNITED STATES LIAISON OFFICER
Pharm Damilola Bolanle
Pharm. Damilola Bolanle is a Pharmacist, Public Health Researcher and Global Health Strategy Professional. She is a dynamic force in global health as well as an emerging leader whose work bridges clinical research, regulatory strategy and health systems improvement.
A trained Pharmacist and dual MPH/MBA candidate at Johns Hopkins University, Damilola has shaped projects across Africa and the U.S., contributing to multinational clinical trials, coordinating regulatory submissions to global agencies and strengthening medical supply chain operations in complex settings. Her research portfolio spans HPV vaccine delivery in LMICs, GLP-1 therapeutic analysis and community-based cancer screening initiatives.
She also serves as a strategic leader within the Africa Business Club at Johns Hopkins, driving high-impact engagements and cross-sector collaborations. Damilola represents a new generation of African health leaders – bold, analytical and mission-driven. She remains focused on shaping scalable solutions that outlast roles and reshape how health systems serve people.
CANADA LIAISON OFFICER
Pharm Oke Monday Jacobs
Pharmacist Oke Monday Jacobs is a visionary healthcare leader and entrepreneur whose career represents a bridge between Nigerian pharmaceutical excellence and global clinical innovation. An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Pharm. Jacobs built a robust foundation in medical sales with Phamatex Industries and clinical leadership as Superintendent Pharmacist at Shekinah Specialist, before establishing himself as the Founder and CEO of Jacobson Pharmacy, Ibadan.
A native of Osun State, his influence extends deep into professional governance and regulation. Having served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) and Assistant General Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Osun State, he later transitioned from these roles to focus on systemic transformation and regulatory integrity as a member of the Pharmacy Inspection Committee (PIC) for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Oyo State.
Currently specialising in Clinical Trials Management at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, Pharm. Jacobs is driven by the conviction that “it only takes the right generation to bring about a regeneration in the midst of the generation”. By synthesising a decade of real-time experience in pharmaceutical marketing and community practice with elite international research standards, he stands as a catalyst for a new era in global healthcare.
MEDIA PARTNERS
PROJECTS
In order to impact the wider community, all events of the SO Foundation are accompanied by Impact Projects.
There are 3 major ongoing projects:
1. FREE HEALTH OUTREACHES: The Foundation organises multiple free Health outreaches annually to under-served communities. We provide access to professional healthcare services to those for whom such access is too difficult or too expensive. The 2026 year Target is 15 outreaches to various communities in South-west Nigeria.
2. BUS PROJECT: The Foundation wishes to purchase two (2) Toyota Hiace buses to streamline logistics and movement of our personnel, supplies, medications and equipment and supplies for the free Outreaches.
3. SORE HEALTH HUB PROJECT:
By the year 2027, the SORE HEALTH HUB Project will be fully operational. Having run several free community health outreaches over the years, the SORE Health Hub Project is the next step in extending the impact and providing free medications to those who need it the most, all year round, when there are no outreaches happening. The Hub will stock essential medications like antimalarials, analgesics, antibiotics, antiemetics, anthelmintics, supplements and birthing supplies, among others, and our majorpriorities are pregnant women, children and senior citizens.
Those who qualify after our vetting processes can visit the Hub to be examined and to pick up the needed medications for free, just like in any of our Outreaches.
In the short-term, ie while the Hub is being built, we are partnering with Vanguard Pharmacy, Kunle Ara Pharmacy and Minarets Pharmacy, three of the biggest and most trusted retail Pharmacy brands in Oyo State, to provide the free medicines to indigent members of the selected demographics. These community pharmacies are the ideal vehicle as they have multiple branches spread out across the city and will serve as pick-up points for in-demand medicines as needed.
With our current structure, the Health Hub Project will solve 50% of the challenge of access to essential medicines, effectively saving thousands of lives, far more than outreaches which are usually held in a day or two.
You can donate to any of these projects here:
DONATE TODAY!
We need your help to motivate, empower and support our medical professionals to perform at the highest levels.
SORE AWARDS is Organised by TAKIT Gen360 Fellowship and SO Foundation, which is a non-partisan, non- profit Organization on a mission to contribute massively to the success and transformation of Nigeria’s health sector.
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