The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has organised a “Thank You Dinner” in honour of Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora for what the group described as “his immense contribution and support for public health in Nigeria.”
The dinner, which was held at the in Abuja on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 was attended by eminent dignitaries including serving and former ministers, members of the federal and state houses of assembly, as well as the development and civil society community.
They include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Hon. Wale Ahmed and former Minister of Women Affairs, Paulen Tallen.
Representatives of the development and the civil society community from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), who also graced the event, commended Mamora and extolled his humility despite having a wealth of knowledge about governance and parliamentary matters.
In his welcome address, Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi said Mamora was worthy of the honour because of the pivotal roles he played in the Sixth National Assembly, which led to the first effort to pass Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Bill into law in 2011.
Oluwafemi explained that although the process of passage of the Tobacco Bill was stalled in the Sixth Assembly, Mamora still played behind the scenes roles which culminated in the bill becoming an Act in 2015 under the Seventh Assembly.
He was also a strategic pillar for the #Transfatfree Nigeria Coalition in the processes that led to the gazette of the Fats and Oils Regulations 2022 which addresses the consumption of trans fats and its negative health impacts among Nigerians.
Oluwafemi said CAPPA’s campaign for the Federal Government to increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Tax from N10/per litre of SSB to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO)recommended minimum of 20 percent of final retail price has grained traction due to his (Mamora’s) support as Minister of State for Health.
Responding, Mamora, who served as a two-term senator, said he was overwhelmed by the support and the love that the guests have shown him by virtue of their presence at the dinner and their warm words.
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Mamora recalled that efforts to enact the National Tobacco Control Act in the Sixth Assembly was a tough battle because lobbyists sponsored by tobacco industry worked assiduously to stall the passage of the law at both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Recollecting his years as Speaker at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the National Inland Waterways
Authority (NIWA) and as Minister, he reminded those entrusted with the leadership positions in the country to leave behind legacies to be reckoned with since power is transient.
He explained that his dedication to work is because of his conviction that public office is a public trust, service, and an opportunity to influence decisions on the positive side.
The highpoint of the event was when Mamora was invited to receive the award and other packaged gifts flanked by his wife,Other dignitaries at the occasion were Prof. Ngozi Azodoh, Director, Federal Ministry of Health, Prof. Mustapha Abdullai and Director-General of the National Agency for Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), among others.
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