By DAYO ADESULU

As part of its corporate social investment initiatives, Stanbic IBTC Bank,  has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Covenant University on a Programme to Build Leadership and Accountability in Nigeria’s Health System (PLAN-Health).

A six-week health professionals’ fellowship programme designed to foster sustainable change in Nigeria’s health sector, PLAN-Health is implemented globally by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), and funded by USAID through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), to improve leadership, management and technical capacities of selected professionals in the Nigerian health sector.

At the closing ceremony of the programme held at Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Aize Obayan said that “the college is proud to partner with Stanbic IBTC Bank to support the development of a crop of dedicated and highly motivated health practitioners to reinforce Nigeria’s health system.”

She added that the programme’s objective was to improve participants’ knowledge and skills on leadership and management, project management, HIV/AIDS response, information technology and improved attitude towards health service delivery.

On her part, Mrs. Morin Adeyemi, Head, Corporate Social Investment, Stanbic IBTC Bank, reiterated the bank’s interest and commitment to facilitating a better future for Nigeria. “As an institution that is in Nigeria for the long run, we are very committed to enabling the country achieve its developmental aspirations.

“Education and healthcare remain key pillars of corporate social investment at Stanbic IBTC and we feel really honoured to have partnered with MSH on this programme,” she stated. She also urged the graduating Fellows to deploy skills acquired at the programme towards making an impact in their respective organisations and the communities in which they operate.

Country Director, Management Sciences for Health (MSH), Dr. Barry Smith said that the just-concluded programme is one with many firsts, including being the first recipient of funding outside of USAID, this being from Stanbic IBTC Bank. “We thank the management of Stanbic IBTC Bank for this exemplary gesture. We look forward to having more of its kind in the future,” he said.