In a powerful reflection on twenty-five years of community transformation, Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), joined partners and key stakeholders to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS). The milestone event served as a exciting reminder of the organization’s remarkable contributions over the past two and a half decades in advancing Nigeria’s public health and broader development agenda.
As a deeply valued partner in the national HIV response, ECEWS has spent the last 25 years at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic. Through tireless advocacy and strategic interventions, the organization has contributed significantly to reducing new HIV infections, dismantling deep-seated stigma and discrimination, and expanding vital access to prevention and treatment services across the country. Furthermore, ECEWS has been instrumental in strengthening nationwide prevention efforts by providing robust support to national coordination mechanisms, most notably the National Prevention Technical Working Group.
The anniversary celebration also marked a moment of profound personal and institutional honor for the NACA leadership. Dr. Temitope was deeply humbled to receive the prestigious ECEWS Award of Public Health Excellence, presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to strengthening health systems and improving healthcare outcomes across Nigeria. Accepting the award, she emphasized that the accolade is a testament to the collective, tireless efforts of dedicated teams and partners nationwide who work every day to build a healthier nation.
On behalf of NACA, Dr. Temitope extended warmest congratulations to ECEWS for a quarter-century defined by unwavering commitment, strong partnerships, bold innovation, and selfless service. The agency celebrated the countless lives transformed, communities strengthened, and the monumental progress achieved through years of shared vision and collaboration.
Looking ahead to the future of Nigerian public health, NACA wishes ECEWS continued success, enduring strength, and an even greater, more far-reaching impact in the years to come.