Category Events

RYNI News : By Omotayo Stephen . O
29 July 2025

In a symphony of joy, pride, and tradition, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Secondary School (MORCASS) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025 with a vibrant ceremony that beautifully blended spiritual grace, academic excellence, and youthful talent. Held amidst cheers from parents, teachers, and alumni, the event was a radiant showcase of the school’s unyielding commitment to nurturing students who embody knowledge, faith, and morals.

The Principal’s Benediction: A Farewell with Faith

Rev. Fr. Harrison Egwunu, the esteemed Principal of MORCASS, opened the ceremony with warm and heartfelt words:

“You are not merely leaving this school; you are entering a world that desperately needs your values. Go forth with courage, integrity, and faith. The world awaits the light you’ve been trained to shine.” His prayerful message set the tone for an occasion steeped in gratitude and hope.

Chairperson of the Parent-Student Association (PSA), Mrs. Ochei, offered her heartfelt congratulations to both students and parents, applauding their resilience and commitment to excellence.

“The future is in good hands because you, our children, have been equipped for greatness. Stay grounded and keep aiming higher,” she encouraged.

Adding a powerful alumni voice, Mr. Uzum Emmanuel, President of the Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Old Students Association (MORCOSA), welcomed the graduates into the alumni community.

“You’re no longer just students — you’re stewards of the MORCASS legacy. Wear it with pride, carry it with honour,” he declared, as he officially inducted the Class of 2025 into MORCOSA.

Celebrating Excellence: A Salute to Academic Giants

The highlight of the event was the presentation of prestigious academic awards by the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI). Represented by Mr. Uzum Emmanuel on behalf of RYNI’s founder and CEO, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, the awards were presented to celebrate academic distinction and inspire continued excellence beyond the school walls.

The Best Graduating Student Award went to the brilliant Sakpaide Akpevweoghene, a shining star who captivated the school community with both her intellect and integrity.

Other awards were given to top-performing students in Science and Arts, across SS1 to SS3. The overall best science student prize was won by Sakpaide Akpevweoghene , while the overall best Art student prize was won by Ughe Esther Oseluesmhen. Seven remarkable scholars who scored 300+ in their UTME received ₦70,000 cash prizes, a testament to the school’s culture of academic distinction.
The awards were a symbolic passing of the torch — urging the students to carry the spirit of academic discipline and hard work into their future endeavors.

Dr. Obazenu, through his message, encouraged the graduates to hold fast to the values and drive for excellence that MORCASS instilled in them.

“These awards are not the end of your journey, but a challenge to rise even higher,” he said.

A Joyous Celebration of Talent and Transition

As the cake was cut, certificates handed out, and cultural dances graced the stage, the celebration transformed into a moment of unforgettable memories. Talented students showcased skills in music, dance, tailoring, makeup, and other vocations — a testament to the holistic education MORCASS provides.

And So They Rise…

With applause, and joy in their hearts, the MORCASS Class of 2025 stepped into the world — not just as graduates, but as changemakers. Rev. Fr. Egwunu offered a prayer of protection and guidance, sending forth the Class of 2025 with wings strengthened by wisdom.

From this sacred ground of learning, they soar… ready to conquer, to create, and to shine.

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RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
15 July 2025

What if you were handed ₦100 million today—no strings attached—to stay and invest in Nigeria’s crumbling healthcare system?

That daring question, posed by the UK-based physician, one of the moderators of the summit and CEO of the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI), Dr. Lawson Obazenu, during the National Health Summit 2025, triggered one of the most powerful and unfiltered debates of the event. Hosted in collaboration with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the virtual summit themed “The JAPA Syndrome: Brain Gain or Brain Drain?” Navigating the Future of the Nigeria Health Sector , brought together an impressive lineup of medical professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora to address one of the most pressing dilemmas in the nation’s healthcare sector: the mass exodus of health workers.

As the summit reached its peak, Dr. Obazenu challenged attendees with a bold, unfiltered prompt:
“If you had ₦100 million, would you stay and invest in Nigeria’s healthcare system—or would you still choose to JAPA?”

The virtual chat room exploded. Despite the staggering sum, a resounding majority still opted to leave.

A Mirror to the Crisis

Many doctors cited insecurity, decaying infrastructure, career stagnation, and a deep-seated mistrust in government institutions. Some lamented that even ₦100 million is no match for a system that stifles talent and punishes integrity. A few, however, stood firm on staying—insisting that with accountability, real reform, and stakeholder unity, Nigeria’s healthcare sector can still be rebuilt from within.

Leadership and Moderation

In his opening remarks, Dr. Tope Osundara, President of NARD, called the JAPA syndrome a “national emergency,” urging for collaboration between government and diaspora doctors to stem the tide. His co-moderator, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, emphasized the need for strategic reinvention:
“We can’t blame our way out of this crisis. The time has come to build bridges—between those who stayed and those who left.”

Voices from the Frontlines

Responding to the moderators’ challenge, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, past President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), delivered a compelling response:
“We must stop treating JAPA like a betrayal. It’s a symptom. The real disease lies in underfunding, weak governance, and systemic neglect. If India reversed brain drain through strategic investment, Nigeria can too—but we must act fast and act right.”

The current NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, echoed these sentiments, warning of a looming collapse if urgent steps aren’t taken.
“This isn’t just about losing personnel—it’s about losing the next generation of trainers, mentors, and visionaries. We must act now or risk irreparable damage.”
He called the recent government move to export doctors to Saint Lucia “morally indefensible,” given the acute shortage at home.

Prof. Temitope Esan of the National Postgraduate Medical College warned of a critical collapse in specialist training enrolment. Dr. Elizabeth Fajemirokun from the UK advocated for rotational exposure in high-standard hospitals to re-inspire resident doctors.

Diaspora Reflections

Dr. Sunday Fawole, a U.S.-based Consultant, described JAPA not as desertion but “career evolution born out of desperation.” He credited his departure to years of stalled promotions, poorly equipped hospitals, and the emotional burden of working without hope.

Dr. Solomon Oke, President of Nigerian Doctors in the UK (NDUK), shared his story of frustration, safety fears, and professional stagnation. He proposed digital platforms and structured diaspora partnerships to allow remote contribution without full repatriation.

From Pain to Purpose

In closing, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, 1st Vice President of NARD, declared:
“This summit shattered illusions and sparked a movement. For the first time, home-based and diaspora doctors are united—not by blame, but by purpose.”

Dr. Obazenu’s final words rang clear:
“This ₦100 million question was never really about money—it was about what it would take to make Nigeria worth staying for. Now we know: it’s dignity, security, and shared vision.”

As the virtual applause rang out, the message was unmistakable: JAPA may be the reality—but collective reform could still rewrite the ending.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

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RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
13 July 2025

In what has been described as one of the most intellectually charged and emotionally stirring health conversations of the year, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in collaboration with the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI) held the National Healthcare Summit 2025 virtually on Saturday, July 12, bringing together some of the most influential voices in Nigerian medicine—both at home and in the diaspora.

With the compelling theme “The JAPA Syndrome – Brain Gain or Brain Drain? Navigating the Future of the Nigerian Healthcare Sector,” the summit recorded massive participation from doctors across Nigeria and around the globe via Zoom. The virtual summit, featured high-level stakeholders including doctors from across Nigeria, the UK, US, and the Middle East, as they dissected the realities, root causes, and possible solutions to the mass migration of Nigerian doctors.

Leaderships Sets the Tone

The event kicked off with strong opening remarks by the host as well as moderator, Dr. Osundara Tope, President of NARD, and the co-host and moderator, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, CEO of RYNI and a UK-based physician. Dr. Osundara called the Japa trend a “national emergency,” urging strategic engagement between government, local professionals, and diaspora doctors to halt the drain. Dr. Obazenu emphasized that the conversation should move beyond blame to building bridges that convert the brain drain into brain gain.

Government Engagement: Promises and Pathways

Delivering the keynote, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen (mni), Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, acknowledged the troubling outflow of Nigerian doctors and admitted that diaspora doctors remain underutilized. He pledged stronger partnerships between the Federal Ministry of Health and diaspora organizations to institutionalize avenues for brain gain, including collaborative missions, specialist training, and technology transfer.

“We must stop seeing diaspora doctors as gone. They are an untapped national resource,” he noted.

A Battle of Perspectives: Nigerian-Based vs. Diaspora Doctors

The summit featured a diverse panel that passionately addressed the push-and-pull dynamics driving the Japa phenomenon:

​Dr. Sunday Fawole, a Consultant Physician based in Georgia, USA, was unflinching. “This is not just migration. It’s a strategic career evolution sparked by systemic failure,” he said. He cited chronic underfunding, lack of infrastructure, and poor wages in Nigeria as the overwhelming “push” factors.

​Prof. Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), warned of a bleak future if urgent reforms are not initiated. “We are not just losing doctors, we’re losing mentors, specialists, and future trainers. The system is collapsing from the inside,” he lamented. He further criticized medical tourism as a national contradiction and called for investment in local systems. He also condemned the government’s move to export doctors to Saint Lucia, calling it “morally unjustifiable” in a country already crippled by severe doctor shortages.

​Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former President of WMA, CMA, and NMA, argued for a comprehensive root cause approach. “India reversed brain drain with deliberate investment. Nigeria can do the same. But first, we must address poor wages, working conditions, and governance failure,” he said.

​Representing the UK diaspora, Dr. Elizabeth Fajemirokun, a Consultant Anaesthetist, advocated for inclusive reform led by doctors—not civil servants. She recommended rotational postings in high-performing private hospitals to improve resident training and morale.

​Prof. Temitope Esan, Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College, confirmed a steep decline in residency enrolments and rising attrition within the first year of training. “Our factories for producing specialists are losing raw materials,” he warned, calling for urgent attention to poor training environments. When questioned about the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), Prof. Esan revealed that although the fund exists, irregular disbursement remains a deterrent. “Dialogue with government is ongoing, but we need consistency and structure,” he added.

Diaspora Voices: Pain, Promise, and Proposals

In a poignant reflection, Dr. Solomon Oke, President of the Nigerian Doctors in UK (NDUK), admitted that his departure from Nigeria was not solely economic. “It was about safety, career structure, and hope. Nigeria didn’t offer that,” he said. He advocated for digital platforms that allow diaspora doctors to contribute remotely.

Dr. Babagana Abubakar, a Saudi-based surgeon, emphasized that individual contributions by diaspora doctors are difficult due to systemic obstacles. He called for formal government-diaspora partnerships, medical missions, and specialist exchange programs to enable structured contributions.

“If You Had ₦100 Million—Would You JAPA or Stay?”

One of the most striking moments came when Dr. Obazenu posed a daring  question to the audience:“If you were given ₦100 million, would you JAPA or stay to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare?”

The Zoom chat erupted.

A large majority admitted they would still choose to leave—citing insecurity, poor infrastructure, and lack of political will. A few courageous voices, however, declared their commitment to stay and invest, believing in Nigeria’s potential if supported by real reform.

The Way Forward: Unity and Purpose

As the summit drew to a close, panelists unanimously agreed that the Japa trend is not inherently evil, but its current trajectory is dangerous without a national strategy. They advocated: Structural reform of training programs and healthcare financing. Leveraging diaspora doctors through partnerships.Better wages, safer working environments, and clear career progression pathways.

A Movement is Born

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, 1st Vice President of NARD, commended the candour of all speakers:

“Today showed that doctors—home and abroad—are no longer divided. We are united in pain, in hope, and now, in purpose. Let us build the Nigeria we all dream of.”

Dr. Tope Osundara, NARD President, gave his closing remarks with renewed optimism: “Let this summit be a pivot—not just talk, but policy, partnership, and performance. We will not only stop the drain—we will drive the gain.”

In his final words, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, RYNI CEO, affirmed: “The narrative has changed. From JAPA to return, from brain drain to brain gain—this is our movement. Let us light the fire of transformation, and let it burn across every hospital, every state, and every diaspora corner of the globe.”

As the session closed, the applause—virtual yet powerful—signalled not an end, but a beginning. The road ahead is long, but with unity of purpose and shared responsibility, Nigeria’s healthcare future just took a bold step forward.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

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Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
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