THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Aliyu Mddibo, with a Special Director-General Award for... his contributions to tobacco control in Africa.The prestigious WHO yearly award is given to eminent personalities, who have made a mark in tobacco control, during the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) celebrations.
The award is the first of such to be won by any former Nigerian Government official.
The award, which was announced on the WHO website, also listed the former minister among the six recipients in Africa.
During his time as the FCT minister, Moddibo was instrumental to tobacco control measures aimed at reducing the smoking prevalence in the federal capital city, especially among the youth.
One of his major achievements is declaring the FCT smoke-free on June 1, 2008.
Through that, it became an offence to smoke in designated public places, such as playground, restaurant, schools and other public buildings.
Moddibo, a former smoker, has also given presentations at various tobacco control meetings and seminars in Abuja and called for increased taxation on cigarettes as a way of reducing access to the youth.
The award is the first of such to be won by any former Nigerian Government official.
The award, which was announced on the WHO website, also listed the former minister among the six recipients in Africa.
During his time as the FCT minister, Moddibo was instrumental to tobacco control measures aimed at reducing the smoking prevalence in the federal capital city, especially among the youth.
One of his major achievements is declaring the FCT smoke-free on June 1, 2008.
Through that, it became an offence to smoke in designated public places, such as playground, restaurant, schools and other public buildings.
Moddibo, a former smoker, has also given presentations at various tobacco control meetings and seminars in Abuja and called for increased taxation on cigarettes as a way of reducing access to the youth.
A non-governmental organisation, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in April was among the four global recipients of the prestigious Bloomberg award.
The award was given during a presentation at the World Conference on Tobacco or H
ealth in Mumbai India.
The award was given during a presentation at the World Conference on Tobacco or H
ealth in Mumbai India.It was in recognition of ERA’s contribution in monitoring the activities of the tobacco industry and reporting on such.
Nigeria is one of the few West African countries that have made great strides in public health and tobacco control.
SOURCES:
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