Avon Medical, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings has officially launched an ultramodern hospital facility in Surulere, Lagos.

L-R: Emmanuel Nnorom – Group CEO, Heirs Holdings; Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor; Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Group Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson, Avon Medical Practice; H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, CMD, LUTH & Representative of the Minister for Health; Dr. Akinbiyi Oke, CEO, Avon Medical; Professor Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi, Honorable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; Chidi Okpala, Group Executive Director, Heirs Holdings; at the launch of the Avon Medical ultramodern facility in Lagos on April 14, 2025.

At the historic event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos state, who inaugurated the 50-bed, fully equipped facility, said that Avon Medical has put its name in the sand of time in this industry.

The opening ceremony was attended by top government officials, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders.

Also present at the event were Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate represented by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo.

The new hospital features comprehensive diagnostic services, obstetrics and gynecology (O&G), pediatrics, and neonatal care, and is designed to serve the growing healthcare needs of Lagos residents.

Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Avon Medical for its long-standing commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said: “This is more than just a hospital. It’s a bold statement of what private sector collaboration can do in transforming our healthcare landscape. For one facility to offer full diagnostics, O&G, pediatric, and neonatal care, it shows the level of intentional investment and vision behind Avon Medical.”

The Governor further commended Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson, Avon Medical and co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, for her dedication to building sustainable healthcare institutions.

He said: “Dr. Awele Elumelu chose not to be comfortable in her success, but instead to invest in something meaningful something that impacts lives directly.”

“The health sector requires long-term commitment rather than short-term returns. Healthcare is not a sector where profits come quickly. It takes vision, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose.”

“We are building the largest pediatric hospital and the largest mental health facility in Sub-Saharan Africa. Health is wealth, and we’re backing that statement with action and funding. 8–10% of Lagos State’s annual budget is allocated to the health sector.”

Also speaking, Dr. Elumelu, AVON Medical Chairperson said they from the beginning resolved to focus on the problems which include overburdened public hospitals, lack of modern equipment, medical professionals being stretched to their limits, too many people frustrated as they simply couldn’t get medical help in time.

“We could not look away, so we decided to do something about it,” she said.

“That single decision to step in gave birth to Avon Medical and our health insurance company, Avon HMO.

“The first, to provide excellent healthcare services, and the other to ensure that people could actually afford them.

“That combination was deliberate. It was our way of ensuring we were not only building facilities, but we were also creating access to them.”

She said the initiative them from the humble beginnings of operating just a work-site clinic at a single location had grown into a 50-bed hospital network, including a Dialysis Centre, and several worksite clinics.

She said why the decision they took then matter could be seen from the staggering facts about our healthcare system on the Africa  continent which has over 20% of the global disease burden yet has access to only 1% of healthcare resources; approximately 48% of Africans lack access to the quality healthcare they need; Only about 3% of global health workers serve our continent; In Nigeria alone, the gap in the number of available and qualified doctors, beds, and equipment reflects a system under pressure;  The African healthcare system is the hardest hit by the migration crisis.

She said the challenges were not just mere numbers, but real people, real stories, real lives.

“And far too often, they represent women and children. Which is why this facility matters,” she said.

With the medical facility, she said more women will now receive the maternal care they need to safely bring life into the world.

“It means more children will get timely diagnoses, life-saving treatments, and a better shot at long, healthier lives,” she said.

“ It means more families will have access to quality and affordable healthcare services that they deserve.

“This is what we are building: a healthcare system that leaves no one behind.”

Describing the project as a reflection of “our philosophy—Africapitalism, she said, “The belief that the private sector has a major role to play in our continent’s development.

“The belief that we have a responsibility, not just to generate profit but most importantly, to create a lasting impact, to do well and do good.”

She also made it clear that to solve problems, to improve lives that will transform Africa would not end with the new project.

“ This achievement is not the end. It is only a springboard. Our vision has always been bold: to create a network of health solutions that are not only accessible and affordable, but also world-class,” she said.

Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has warned of an imminent shutdown of power generation plants due to unpaid invoices totalling over ₦4 trillion.

This debt comprises ₦2 trillion for 2024 and ₦1.9 trillion in legacy debts, severely impacting the companies’ ability to meet financial obligations.

According to a statement signed by Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), chairman Board of Trustee Power Generation Companies, on Monday said despite generating electricity consumed on the national grid, power generation companies haven’t received corresponding payments, leading to a liquidity crisis.

This crisis he said has reduced their ability to perform obligations, threatening the entire electricity value chain.

To address this crisis, the APGC has demanded immediate implementation of payment plans to settle all outstanding GenCos invoices.

The association also called for a reprioritization of payments under the waterfall arrangement, giving full priority to 100% payment of GenCos’ invoices as at when due. This would enable them to sustainably generate power and meet critical needs.

The APGC said A clear financing plan is also necessary to backstop exposures in NERC’s Supplementary Order to the MYTO and DRO 2024

This plan would provide stability and predictability for the power sector, allowing GenCos to plan and invest for the future.

Furthermore, the Association is seeking payment security guarantees backed by World Bank/AFDB to guarantee full payment to GenCos.

This would enable them to meet critical needs, improve generation, and implement growth and expansion plans.

The National Information Technology Development Agency wishes to announce the release of the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for public consultation and is actively soliciting public comments and inputs on this pivotal document.

This landmark step underscores the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem that will drive economic growth, enhance public service delivery, and empower citizens across the nation.

The Public may recall that on the 4th of March 2025, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, released the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework. The DPI framework presents a platform for reforming public service delivery, utilising a whole-of-government approach, which includes the opportunity for the private sector to build and deliver cross-cutting services that will enhance citizens’ well-being and access to services.

The Framework also establishes the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC) as the program implementation office to coordinate the national effort to educate, support research and deliver appropriate knowledge management for developing Nigeria’s DPI. The aim is to engage meaningfully in developing a robust DPI-driven architecture that benefits society.

In furtherance of the above, this draft Technical Standards for DPI provides a structured approach for developing and deploying Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

They define the essential technical requirements and proven techniques to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency across digital services. By establishing clear guides, these standards support the seamless integration of DPI components, fostering a secure, scalable, and resilient digital ecosystem in Nigeria.

Furthermore, it outlines the structure for integrating sectorial DPIs, including but not limited to digital identity systems, payment platforms, and data exchange frameworks. It aims to establish clear guidelines for interoperability, data protection, cybersecurity, and the participation of both public and private sector stakeholders in building digital public goods (DPGs), utilising these critical digital foundations.

Extensive research, international best practices, and consultations with various stakeholders have guided the development of this draft technical standards. It reflects the government’s vision to leverage the power of digital technologies to achieve its national development objectives and improve the lives of all Nigerians.

Key objectives of the draft Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation include:

Enhance Interoperability: Ensure seamless communication across platforms, agencies, and services

Ensure Data Security and Privacy: Protect sensitive information while complying with local and international regulations

Promote Accessibility and Usability: Create inclusive systems that are easy to navigate and cater to all citizens, including marginalised groups.

Define Performance Benchmarks: Establish metrics to ensure systems are reliable, scalable, and efficient.

Foster Governance and Compliance: Provide clear accountability, transparency, and regulatory alignment rules

Encourage Innovation: Facilitate the adoption of open-source technologies while adhering to proper usage guidelines.

Standardise Testing Practices: Ensure consistent validation of systems to meet defined technical and user requirements.

The Federal Government recognises the crucial role of public input in shaping effective and impactful regulations. Therefore, it invites all stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, civil society organisations, academia, and international partners, to review the draft regulation and provide valuable feedback.

The draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation is available for review on the website of [Insert]. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments and suggestions in writing regulations@nitda.gov.ng by May 8, 2025.

Following the public consultation period, the Agency will carefully consider all feedback received before finalising and implementing the Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation.

This initiative represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. The Federal Government believes that a well-defined and effectively implemented DPI framework will be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of the digital economy and achieving sustainable and inclusive development for all Nigerians.