Dear ANPA Family,
I am pleased to provide you with this update on ANPA activities for August 2024. First, I would like to say a special “Thank You” to everyone that contributed to the success of the 2024 ANPA National Convention in Anaheim, CA. It was a huge success. ANPA members are encouraged to apply for their CME credits through the email account used to register for the National Convention. Instructions on how to apply for the CME credits are contained in the email message.
Second, with summer gradually drawing to a close and the Back-to-School Week in progress, ANPA would like to wish all our students and children success in their next year of schooling. We would also like to give a special shoutout to all our Teachers, Professors, and School Administrators.
Also, last month, in my capacity as ANPA President, I represented ANPA at the Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists CCANPAD) National Convention in Winnipeg, Canada. It was my first time visiting Canada, and it was a pleasant experience. ANPA was also represented at the National Medical Association Conference in New York earlier this month. Our attendance at both events allowed us to engage in fruitful conversations, including discussions about future contributions and collaboration.
The ANPA Exco, Education and IT Committees are in communication with the MDCN to finalize the portal needed for our Nigeria Medical License registrations and renewals. This will be a prerequisite for care delivery and work in Nigeria, including at our annual medical missions. Stay tuned for more updates on this.
Also, the ANPA Business Arm team has begun work and will provide updates soon, most likely at our Annual Board Retreat at the PGA Resort in Palm Beach Florida. This year’s Board Retreat is scheduled to be held from 3pt October to 3rd November 2024. This meeting is our Association’s Winter Meeting, where annual strategies and budgets are set. The Board Retreat is open to all ANPA Members, so I encourage everyone to sign up and reserve their accommodation. Please contact the ANPA Secretariat for reservation details.
In other news, I am pleased to inform about the National Postgraduate Medical Council of Nigeria’s approval of the induction of Diaspora Specialists. This is great news and a laudable achievement indeed. Application links have been provided and ANPA Members are encouraged us to apply.
I would also like to extend our special thanks to Dr. Oranu Ibekie, Chair of our Education Committee, Professors Ajovi Scott Emuakpor, Ben Nwomeh, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Fiemu Nwariaku, Igho Ofotokun and ANPA Excos for their efforts to make this approval a reality.
I also encourage you to be on the lookout for more details about our ANPA@30 Celebration. It is scheduled to be held from 4th to 14th April 2025 and will include our Annual Medical Mission and Annual Convention. Kindly note that our 2025 National Convention will be held in April and not in June 2025. We would also like to point out that merchandise in celebration of our 30th anniversary will go on sale soon. Links to the purchase pages of our website will be provided shortly.
Kindly also note that as we prepare for our ANPA @ 30 events, there are several opportunities to serve on many Convention Committees. Sign up links have been sent out previously but so far, only a handful of ANPA Members have answered that call. We encourage all ANPA Members to sign up for something so we can make these Nigeria-based events a success. Consequently, we are requesting that each ANPA Chapter Chair submit at least four people from their Chapter as representatives to be assigned to the various Convention Committees.
Our Membership Committee is working very hard behind the scenes to grow or ANPA Members. So far, we have been able to grow to over 800 members for the first time. Our goal is to reach 1.000 members within the next year. In this regard, we are working on new and innovative solutions to membership recruitment and retention. The Membership Committee will provide us with updates on this soon, including forming of new Chapters.
I would also like to say a special thanks to our Task Forces, Programs and Committees and the work they do on different projects. ANPA Members are also encouraged to join any of these to contribute to the success of our organization.
ANPA also wishes to inform that following the circulation of unfounded accusations in early July by a fake Lagos news media agency on WhatsApp, emergency meetings were held by the ANPA Exco and ANPA Board. We also had an emergency Membership meeting where issues raised were clarified. We are happy to announce that our explanations were further confirmed by the Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, in his letter of appreciation to ANPA.
Finally, please note that September and October are Sickle Cell Awareness and Breast Cancer Awareness months respectively. We will have custom ANPA T-Shirts available for sale for these events. Links to the store will be shared in due course.
Please stay engaged and feel free to contact your Chapter Chairs, Committee Chairs, ANPA EXCOs or myself for any questions.
Thanks for all you do. Blessings,
Dr. Cliff C. Eke,
National President,
Association of Nigerian Physicians
in the Americas