Dr . Ifedayo Adetifa is set to hand over the position of Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to Dr. Olajide Idris.
The NCDC who made this known in a press statement signed by its Head of Communications, Dr Yahya Disu, on Monday, noted that the formal handover will be held at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu approved leadership changes in the health and social welfare sector, where he appointed Dr Idris as the new NCDC boss.
The NCDC said under Adetifa’s leadership, the centre made significant strides in fulfilling its mandate to prevent, detect, and respond to public health events.
It noted that his partnerships, approaches, and dedication have been instrumental in enhancing the nation’s health security, particularly amidst challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Mpox outbreak, the Diphtheria epidemic, and other emerging public health concerns.
“Leading the NCDC has been one of the highlights of my professional career. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team. As I pass the torch, I am confident that the agency is in good hands, and I look forward to cheering on its continued success from afar,” Adetifa was quoted as saying.
The centre stated that the new DG, Idris, brings with him a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years in medical practice, healthcare systems management, consulting, pharmaceuticals, and research.
“Under his leadership as the Permanent Secretary and Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, the Lagos State’s health sector experienced significant health reform in areas that cut across medical emergency services, human resource development, infrastructural development, revitalisation of the primary care system, healthcare financing, health promotion, and disease prevention.
“His exceptional leadership during the Ebola virus outbreak response further demonstrates his capability to advance Nigeria’s health security agenda.
“As Dr. Adetifa embarks on a new chapter, the NCDC staff acknowledges his invaluable contributions, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing the country’s health security agenda, in line with the health sector reform four-point agenda,” the statement added.
