The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim, has paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Ladidi Kuluwa Bako-Aiyegbusi, describing her as a dedicated public servant whose passion, transparency, and commitment significantly advanced health promotion efforts in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of Wellness with Ladidi and the celebration of Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi's 56th birthday in Abuja on Sunday, Dr. Ibrahim congratulated the celebrant for attaining the pinnacle of her civil service career through hard work and dedication.
According to her, reaching the highest level in the Federal Civil Service before retirement age was a testament to Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi's exceptional service and professionalism.
While reflecting on their years of working together in the health sector, Dr. Ibrahim said she witnessed firsthand the celebrant's unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of women, children, and the general population.
She described Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi as a dependable and selfless officer who consistently delivered on assignments with remarkable diligence and sincerity.
Dr. Ibrahim also recalled how Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi was the first colleague to organize a birthday celebration for her during her time at the Federal Ministry of Health, a gesture she said later became a tradition within the ministry.
Highlighting some of Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi's professional achievements, Dr. Ibrahim credited her with playing a pivotal role in securing a dedicated budget line for health promotion within the Federal Ministry of Health.
She explained that before then, health promotion activities were largely treated as ad hoc programmes without specific budgetary provisions.
"Through her persistence and advocacy, we were able to establish, for the first time, a budget line for health promotion in the ministry. Even when there were attempts to move it elsewhere, we worked hard to ensure it remained where it belonged," she said.
Dr. Ibrahim further praised Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi for her role in strengthening public health communication through engagement with health journalists.
She noted that it was through the celebrant's initiative that she became aware of the Association of Health Journalists in Nigeria, leading to the development of a platform for informing Nigerians about government health programmes and encouraging public feedback on healthcare delivery.
According to her, the initiative helped bridge the communication gap between government health institutions and citizens, while also promoting greater awareness of health issues across the country.
Dr. Ibrahim described Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi as a woman of vision who consistently transformed ideas into practical actions, adding that her contributions would continue to have a lasting impact on Nigeria's health sector.
She wished the celebrant continued good health, fulfilment, and success as she embarks on the new wellness advocacy initiative.
On his part, Prof Desmond Okocha said Nigerians must stop viewing wellness as a personal responsibility and begin treating it as a collective national priority if the country is to reverse its poor health indicators.
Addressing guests at the event, Okocha said Nigeria's culture of resilience and hard work has contributed to a growing but often overlooked health crisis driven by stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and preventable diseases.
"Wellness is not a solo sport. Transformation does not happen in isolation; it happens in community," he said.
The professor noted that Nigeria continues to face major health challenges, with life expectancy remaining around 54.6 years while malaria, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases place increasing pressure on the healthcare system.
According to him, nearly 30 per cent of deaths in the country are linked to non-communicable diseases, while four out of every 10 adults are living with hypertension.
He described health as both a development and national security issue, stressing that poor health outcomes affect families, communities, and economic productivity.
Okocha commended the Federal Government for increasing investments in the health sector but warned against the growing influence of unqualified social media personalities dispensing health advice.
He said the new platform would provide credible, evidence-based information to help Nigerians make informed lifestyle choices and combat health misinformation.
Veteran broadcaster and communications expert, Moji Makanjuola, described the initiative as a movement that could transform health awareness and encourage preventive healthcare practices across the country.
She said Bako-Aiyegbusi had spent much of her career promoting public health education and empowering citizens with information needed to prevent disease and adopt healthier lifestyles.
"There are several firsts associated with Ladidi.
She understands that many diseases can be prevented through knowledge and information," Makanjuola said.
She praised the former health administrator's resilience, commitment to service, and determination to continue contributing to national development after retirement.
In her remarks, Bako-Aiyegbusi said the launch represented the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to helping individuals and communities achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives.
She described the occasion as one of reflection, thanksgiving, renewal, and purpose.
The former Director of Health Promotion at the Federal Ministry of Health reflected on her 32-year career in public service, saying it taught her leadership, integrity, resilience, and compassion.
She also expressed gratitude to family members, friends, and colleagues who supported her during difficult periods, including the traumatic experience of her husband's kidnapping.
Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Bako-Aiyegbusi said health goes beyond hospitals and medical treatment.
"Health encompasses what we do every day—our relationships, our mindset, our environment, and the choices we make," she said.
According to her, Living Well With Ladidi will serve as a trusted digital platform providing practical information on health and wellness, nutrition, mental health, family well-being, healthy ageing, leadership, and purposeful living.
"Our mission is simple but profound: to empower people to live healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives," she added.
She said the platform would focus not only on sharing information but also on building a supportive community committed to healthy living.
Her husband, Mr. Fola Aiyegbusi, also lauded his wife for her exceptional qualities that has helped to shape his life, family and promoting healthy living in the country.
The event attracted government officials, health professionals, family members, friends, and well-wishers, who celebrated Bako-Aiyegbusi's contributions to public service and expressed optimism that the initiative would inspire a broader wellness movement across Nigeria.