INTERVIEW WITH MR SAMSON IGBOKWE

moted to Primary Two instead of progressing to Primary Four.

I later improved and began achieving top positions in class until the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. During the war, my siblings and I relocated to our village, and we returned in 1970 after it ended. With the lost years, my father enrolled me in Primary Six at Ebenezer Primary School, and I eventually gained admission to St Patrick’s Sec-

Upon embracing Christianity in adulthood and learning from Bishop Mike Okonkwo, I discovered the greater blessing in giving than receiving and the value of being a cheerful giver. Although I am not affiliated with any other charity organization, while in Nigeria, my wife and I would occasionally give gifts to old people’s homes, support less privileged individuals in Ebute Meta Lagos, and assist widows in our church.

You serve on the board of trustees of the RDSF, can you share with us what influenced your decision to join the board despite it being a pro bono service?

My decision to join the board of RDSF was influenced by the esteemed individuals involved, their strong faith, and their demonstrated integrity during its establishment.

Based on your career success as a pharmacist, where did you find the connection between your profession and philanthropy.

The connection between my profession as a Community Pharmacist and my philanthropic endeavours arises from my deep concern for human lives and their well-being.

The health sector is one of the critical sectors in any country and Nigeria has a gamut of problems ravaging this sector. As a pharmacist with over 40 years of experience, what advice do you have for the government in addressing the lack of access to basic health care, especially in rural communities?

The government’s support for the nation’s health sector is inadequate. There is a pressing need for the construction of well-equipped health facilities, adequate compensation for healthcare workers, reduction in healthcare costs, improvement in the quality and accessibility of healthcare for everyone especially the poor.

“My decision to join the board of RDSF was influenced by the esteemed individuals involved, their strong faith, and their demonstrated integrity during its establishment.”

In recent years, Nigeria has experienced a rapid increase in the migration of health workers from the country despite the shortage of human resources experienced across medical facilities in the country. How best do you think this situation can be addressed?

To address the significant exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria despite the shortage, we must confront the major challenges within the healthcare sector. This includes providing adequate funding to develop and maintain modern infrastructure, ensuring proper training and fair compensation for healthcare workers, prioritizing healthcare as a national concern, as well as making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Nigerians.

Despite the government’s effort in curbing drug abuse in the country, there seems to be a rise in the number of young people abusing drugs in Nigeria. What role do you think individuals can play in assisting the government in the fight against drug abuse?

Fundamentally, parents or individuals should lead by example. Additionally, they should foster a close relationship with their teenagers, being aware of their friends, monitoring their activities and whereabouts. It is crucial to establish rules, regulations, and consequences, provide support, and monitor prescription drugs to prevent abuse.

Herbal medication has always been an alternative treatment adopted by Nigerians in mainly rural communities with inadequate access to modern health facilities. Are there imminent dangers embedded in such practice especially because many users do not go for medical diagnosis?

Herbal medicines are often mis-labelled and can contain undisclosed additives and contaminants due to a lack of regulation. Improper consumption or high doses of certain herbal medicines can lead to allergic reactions or toxic effects that pose serious harm.

You have been married for over 30 years. Can you share with us some of the marital values that have kept your marriage?

The core values that have sustained my marriage are rooted in the love of God within our union, mutual trust, reciprocal submission, agreement and transparency in our daily lives.

Even as a pharmacist and entrepreneur, you and your wife who also had a successful career path had to train your children. Kindly share some tips on how you were able to manage your family routine with work-life demands.

With the love of God embraced in our marriage, we recognized the importance of raising our children in His teachings and guidance. We prioritized diligence at workplace and balanced it by creating time for our children to see that they received a quality education through shared responsibilities and a di vision of labour.

PERSONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND CULTURE

Youths nowadays would posit that the pressures and expectation of their own contemporary period are different from what obtained before. Is this position valid and what are your views on the values the youths of today have from a values, ethics, and cultural perspective.

There are notable differences in values and culture between older and younger generations. Technological advancements have made younger individuals more adept at adapting to life situations and often holding differing opinions on ethics and culture.

The millennial generation exhibits a greater acceptance of new cultures, working with diverse people, places, and situations. When it comes to differences in behavioural and belief systems, it is the responsibility of older generations to impart truthful wisdom and hold steadfast to it.

“My interest includes supporting and financing the educational needs of exceptionally talented but financially disadvantaged students from secondary to university levels.”

Enhancing Education

The RDSF focuses on economic empowerment through charity activities in education, mentoring, and skills acquisition. In your opinion, what is the most challenging problem confronted by the educational system of Nigeria?

The primary challenges lie in inadequate funding as well as poor infrastructure and educational facilities. My interest includes supporting and financing the educational needs of exceptionally talented but financially disadvantaged students from secondary to university levels. This endeavour is particularly emotional for me because it lifts such students out of a background of poverty and sets them on a path to a better future.

Based on your experience, what would be your advice to a Nigerian interested in joining the board of an NGO or seeking to set up one?

I would advise individuals to assess the NGO’ s structure (ensure that it is formally registered) and well set up to achieve their goals. Furthermore, before joining the board of an NGO, it is also important to verify the intent and integrity of the founders/other Trustees.