In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognise “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”
According to the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Olu Alabi, this recognition covers overall employee performance in dressing, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership & interpersonal skills, punctuality and adherence to company values and principles amongst others.
For October 2024, IHVN Celebrates, Temitayo Raimi, Clare Ohunayo, Sunday Ekere, Lem Kwem Imasuen, Ayomide Olumefun, Elizabeth Ejura Ali, Charles Imogie, Abubakar Iliyasu Bichi, Pascal Lojah Nyam, Adekunle Adebisi Deborah, Ifeanyi-Ukeagbu Ify Genevieve, Adebimpe Manuwa, Idowu Owoeye and Samuel Akingbesote whose performance stood out in their teams.
Three hearty cheers to our October star performers!
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) deeply mourns the passing of its esteemed Board Director, Ms. Josephine Tapgun, who departed on November 3, 2024.
Hon. Tapgun was appointed to the IHVN Board in 2012, where she made invaluable contributions to the Institute’s growth and success. With her extensive experience as the former Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, alongside over 20 years of service in the public sector, Hon. Tapgun played a pivotal role in the strategic management and governance of the Institute.
IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum said that “her unwavering commitment to public health has left a lasting impact on IHVN, and she will be profoundly missed by the board and all who had the privilege of working with her. The Institute extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,” he said.
Before her passing at 64 years, Josephine Tapgun made a tremendous impact through her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to nation-building. She served in various key capacities, including as an Assistant Director in both the Ministries of Power and Youth Development. Additionally, Ms. Tapgun was an Assistant Chief Consulting Officer for the National Council on Inter-Governmental Relations (NCIR), where she was responsible for monitoring activities and resolving conflicts between different tiers of government.
Ms. Tapgun was a highly respected expert in her field of psychology. She earned a Master of Science degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Jos in 1989, following her earlier achievement of a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology. Her extensive academic background and professional experience positively influenced the various institutions she served.
It was an evening of glitz, glamour, and merriment when the Board of Directors, management, staff, family members, friends, and beneficiaries of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) gathered in Abuja to celebrate two decades of excellence in public health implementation, capacity building, and research.
During the dinner, there were inspiring speeches, staff testimonials, award presentations to long-serving staff, games, and dancing. At the event, IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum recounted the Institute’s progress from its establishment in 2004 till date.
“Over the years, we have provided HIV medications to more than 600,000 individuals, supported orphans and vulnerable children across the country, and restored hope for many living with HIV, including children. Some children who were born with HIV when we were established and at the point of death are now getting ready to be married.”
He said that IHVN has expanded its services to non-communicable diseases and has grown to host two centers, the Center for Public Health Implementation and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE).
IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku stressed the importance of research and small beginnings and urged young researchers to keep dreaming.
IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr Charles Olalekan Mensah also took guests down memory lane to trace the Institute’s achievements.
IHVN is a leading non-governmental organization established in 2004 to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria by developing infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Institute has expanded its services to other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and non-infectious diseases, including cancers. As a local organization, the Institute is structured to collaboratively develop and maintain linkages within and outside the country that support the Government of Nigeria’s health sector strategic plans.
(4th and 3rd Right) IHVN Chairman Board of Directors, Alh. Dr. Umaru Mutallab, IHVN Vice Chairman Board of Directors, Sir Steve Omojafor, Board Directors and Management of IHVN cut the 20th anniversary cake at a dinner to celebrate the Institute’s progress in two decades.A cross-section of guests at the IHVN 20th Anniversary dinner in Abuja
To ensure the provision of quality tuberculosis services in Lagos State, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has organized a program review meeting for medical directors of health facilities implementing the USAID Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network (TB LON 3) project in Lagos State.
About 30 medical directors and representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Health attended the meeting which featured plenary discussions on challenges and strategies to improve out-patient screening optimization, childhood tuberculosis, drug-resistant tuberculosis, tuberculosis prevention therapy, treatment completion by patients, human resources for health and electronic medical record integration.
USAID TB LON 3 Lagos State Team Lead, Dr. Babajide Kadri welcomed participants to the meeting and enjoined all to work towards ensuring quality of care in their different facilities.
“The meeting is part of quality improvement initiative under the TB LON 3 project in Lagos state. It is also aimed at updating the medical directors on the TB implementation status in their facilities as well as getting feedback from them on the program. Key expectations from participants include, better ownership of TB program by the facility management, improvement in the quality of services provided to the patients, improvement in project performance indicator and resolution of the programmatic and operational challenges affecting project implementation”, he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye stressed the need for patients to be involved in developing a joint treatment plan for tuberculosis.
“We should adapt the program to the needs of the people, explain to them the next steps, and let them know when to start medication. This will make them committed to adherence to the medications.” He reiterated his commitment to supporting health facilities in the state to ensure efficient delivery of health services.
Participants interact on strategies to improve tuberculosis care during the meetingSome participants pose for a group photograph at the program review meeting
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is set to establish a learning and development center for certified courses on public health. IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum stated this at a media parley in Abuja to mark the organization’s 20th anniversary.
“Over the years we have come a long way. We have two centers, a public health implementation center and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE). We will partner with universities both locally and overseas to ensure that we have short-term and long-term trainings, “he said.
Dr. Dakum explained that the Institute is already offering short-term trainings which will be institutionalized and said that the center will explore certificate, diploma and masters courses that will contribute to public health. According to him, the training will incorporate both theory and practical sessions with treatment centers which the Institute is collaborating with.
“We will not be a university, but we will be a center that will host and participate in training. We will commence construction of the facility in October 2024. It will be a five-story building with a conference center that will seat 500 people. There will be halls, classrooms, meeting rooms, and a 70 to 100-room guest house attached to it,” he added.
The IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah and Executive Director of the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) Prof. Alash’le Abimiku were also at the press briefing and responded to questions about the Institute’s activities.
Since its inception in 2004, IHVN has built the capacity of more than 50,000 healthcare providers to provide quality prevention, care, and treatment services as well as research and laboratory services.
The Institute is commemorating its 20th anniversary with theme “Celebrating two decades of excellence in public health implementation, capacity building, and research.”
IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum addressing journalists at the media parley.(Front row 3rd to 5th left) IHVN Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah, Executive Director International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku and IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum pose for a group photograph with the media.
