By Cosmas Okereafor
The second edition of Di’BIO Summit on the theme; ”Self-care as a driver of optimal health and wellness” resonated roundly with health practitioners in the medical fields. Large number of pharmaceutical companies and traditional medicine practitioners attended and also exhibited during the two days event held in ikeja, the Commercial city, and seat of powers of the state. Everyone had a chance to contribute on what can be done to improve selfcare, being the driver of optimal health and wellness in the work place and in our fragile society which is part of the whole world that is facing serious challenge environmentally, which man is the ultimate driver. The attendance was very impressive and submissions of both the keynote speakers and the panelists were revealing, such that, everyone went home with fresh ideas on how self-care can be imbibed, promoted in the home, work place, with a view to secure and mitigate some of the environmental challenges that has become a global phenomenon.
The submission however was that everyone has a role to play to promote self-care, both at the work place and in the larger environment.The convener of the summit Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze in her opening remarks expressed that beyond creating a forum for networking by healthcare practitioners, that, the summit should serve as a catalyst for promoting a more healthier environment for the common good in the society. She alluded to the fact that self-care and wellbeing are key and inseparable for any society that wish to stand shoulder to shoulders with others in the fast changing world where people are basically confronted with too many things that are beyond their control almost on daily basis especially at the home front and work places. Dr. Victor Afolabi FPSN, Ph.D who delivered the keynote address on the theme of the summit challenged everyone in the hall on the day, to brace up with the realities of self-care and not to be selfish about it because according to him, the changes currently within individuals and families cannot be waved by ordinary hands.
He pointed that situations are changing fast, and that everyone should strive to be deliberate about his/ her own survival in the fast changing world to avoid being a burden to others and the immediate environment. He urged parents to take good care of themselves and even have something reserved for themselves while training their children. The erudite scholar who was charismatic in his presentation again and again harped on the need for people to prioritise their needs and live their own lives and not necessarily going after everything because their friends had said or done so. He equally used the auspicious time to canvass and advised Nigerians to shun things that may not add up in their daily living and therefore focus on the essentials which he said was a panacae for promoting self-care which is a catalyst for optimal general wellbeing of the individual. The panelists on the day one; messrs Avinash Watts, Vivian Ihechu and Anthony Dike Anifite in their submissions spoke professionally and advised the audience while entertaining questions that ‘safecare is the way to go if a society like Nigeria must get it right. They opined that such summit should be escalated beyond the confines of the conference room for every other Nigerian to see and embrace this noble idea midwives by DI’ BIO and her group.
On the climate change, the discussants which included; Dr (mrs) Adetutu Afolabi ( moderator), Prof Mendie Udoma, Obi Chukwuemeka, Mrs Agbarese Lucia Sagay, Mr Okere Patrick, Dr. Terraced Kene, Pharmacist Onyemaobi, Abayomi Onasanya, Dr Uchenna Anekwuonmye and Mrs Jannifer Okpalaeze could not agree less that we cannot change nature but that whatever we do on the environment largely, should revolve around sustainable living which must not be in isolation as expressed by the health experts. “Climatic change leads to flooding, that results to food scarcity. The whole of the issues revolves on sustainable living and this should not be in isolation with the environment. Climate change begins with every individual. The plant you plant in your environment helps greatly in our mental health. Steps must be taken to do the right thing. The new generation must eat smart. That has to be done with our children. We should go green and embrace nature.” The need for maximum rest and adequate sleep re-echoed severally for the two days the summit lasted. Experts noted that good sleep helps the body to heal and regain lost calories.
The two days summit was well attended by the members of the fourth estate of the realm and many companies in the health sector that exhibited and gave good accounts of their organizations during presentations. It climaxed with the presentation of awards by the organisers of the event to distinguished individuals and pharmaceutical companies for their commitments in promoting safe care in the society with the hope that, they will continue to be supportive of this noble initiative in the years ahead.Di’Bio Wellness and Safecare whose slogan is ; Elevate Wellness/ Embrace self-care, made its debut in the health care sector in 2024, with over 750 participants in attendance during the maiden edition. The second summit held on 24th and 25th September, 2025, also attracted participants from far and near equally has further raised the bar of this noble idea, given the quality of deliberations that pavaded during the two days summit and demand for future ones by those that attended.
