Family And Friends Celebrate New Health Minister Tunji Alausa At Private Reception

Dr. Alausa was appointed as minister earlier in August.
He was confirmed by the senate less than two weeks later.
Consequently, President Tinubu swore him into office.

Eko Hot Blog reports that friends and family of the new Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Monday, celebrated his appointment with him at a private reception.

Dr. Alausa, a Nephrologist who was based in the United States (US) before his appointment, was sworn into office as minister by President Bola Tinubu on Monday morning.

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Later on Monday, the new minister and his family gathered to celebrate the appointment.

Some of the guests at the reception held in honour of the new Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa

The native of Epe, Lagos State, stated that he returned to Nigeria to serve and help improve the lives of Nigerians.

“Me coming to Nigeria is about service to humanity. You get to a point in life. It’s not the comfort of what you have. It’s not about the volume of money you have. It’s not about the number of connections or contacts that you have abroad. You just wake up and start telling yourself that you need to do more,” he said.

“Especially, when it comes to a country you love. You see a lot of suffering and you think about how you can better shape their lives.

“Not that I was not helping in America where I was but Nigeria needed more help.”

Dr. Alausa also spoke about his longtime relationship with the president, saying he could not decline his call to serve.

“President Bola Tinubu is someone I’ve known for almost 30 years and our relationship traverses multiple roles. He’s my father. He’s my mentor. He’s my friend. He’s my uncle. And he’s someone that can shout at me and punish me,” he said.

The board-certified nephrologist explained that when it was time for Tinubu to contest for president, he knew he was going to return to Nigeria to serve.

“Because of the passion and the way he wants to change the country, I decided to heed the call to serve,” the minister said.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the reception held in his honour

He said Nigerians are lucky to have the president as he has great intentions for the country, while thanking him for the opportunity to serve the country.

Earlier, Dr. Alausa spoke about the importance of having family around him, saying it’s the greatest gift from God.

“All my friends here are my family. This is all about family. After God, the only thing anybody can pray to have is a family,” he said.

The minister spoke about how he was born into a polygamous home where there were four wives and ten children. He noted that all children share so much love that no one could tell that they have different mothers.

“You won’t notice we didn’t come from the same mother,” he said. “Even when we were growing up. We went to the same mothers to eat. Wherever you see food, you eat. Wherever sleep catches you, you sleep.”

Guests at the event who spoke with Eko Hot Blog expressed strong belief that Dr. Alausa has the capacity to serve and deliver positive changes for Nigerians.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun speaking to Eko Hot Blog at the reception held in honour of the new Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa

Hon. Abiodun Tobun, the member of Lagos State House of Assembly for Epe Constituency I, told our correspondent that the minister has been a pillar of financial and moral support.

“He’s our brother. He’s our friend who we’ve known for 15 years. He’s somebody that is very focused. He’s a person that is committed to human capital development. He cares about the socioeconomic wellbeing of his people. He’s somebody who takes education with utmost seriousness,” he said.

“When we were young, he was very committed to academics. He taught and prepared younger ones for WASSCE.”

The lawmaker expressed hope that Dr. Alausa will help fix the poor healthcare system, adding that God used his ministerial appointment to compensate him for all of his good works.

“We bave no doubt in our minds that he will deliver. He’s an accomplished man,” Tobun added.