Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO Meet Nigeria First Lady to Underscore Their Long-Term Commitment to Transform Patient Care Landscape in the Country
By Business Wire Published on May 26, 2025, 15:07 IST Abuja, Nigeria & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity, support girl education and break infertility stigma in Nigeria during their high-level meeting with H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The discussion was led by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, 'It was a privilege to meet my dear sister H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officially appoint her to be the Ambassador of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother'. During our meeting, we discussed the beginning of our long-term partnership and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care landscape by providing scholarships for local Nigerian doctors in 42 critical and underserved specialties. We also discussed about addressing critical social and health issues in the country including breaking the infertility stigma and supporting girl education.'
'It gives me great pleasure to share that till today, 63 scholarships have been provided for doctors in Nigeria and affirm our commitment towards enhancing healthcare delivery by providing scholarships for local doctors in Nigeria,' Dr. Rasha Kelej added.
H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ambassador of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' expressed, 'It is a pleasure to welcome and meet the Chairman and CEO of Merck Foundation in our country. I am truly pleased to learn about their impactful and highly beneficial programs, particularly Educating Linda program to support girl education and scholarship program for advancing healthcare capacity. It is encouraging to know that Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships to our local doctors in critical medical specialties. I am fully committed to scaling up all their programs to benefit our people.'
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT shared, 'It was a great pleasure to meet H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to reinforce our shared commitment to advancing healthcare capacity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program. Till today, we have provided more than 2270 scholarships for young doctors from 53 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.'
Merck Foundation has provided 63 scholarships for Nigerian doctors, out of which 8 scholarships have been provided for Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology and Women's Health.
Moreover, 38 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Obesity & Weight Management. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities.
Additionally, 17 scholarships have been provided for other critical and underserved specialties like Oncology Research, Clinical Psychiatry, Dermatology in Clinical Practice, Pain Management, Respiratory Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Critical Care, Rheumatology, and more.
Moreover, As a part of their 'Educating Linda' program, Merck Foundation has also sponsored the education of 20 high performing but underprivileged Nigerian schoolgirls.
Merck Foundation has also conducted three edition of Online Health Media Training for the Nigerian journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels; to underscore the importance of Empowering Girls and Women in Education and to understand the social and psychological impact of infertility stigma and other social issues like GBV, Child Marriage, FGM etc. over women and their families and communities.
Moreover, to raise awareness of early detection and prevention of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Nigeria has also launched their 8 important Merck Foundation Awards for Media, Musicians & Singers, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and students & new potential talents in these fields.
'I invite the young Nigerian talents to share their creative and inspiring work with us. We have celebrated many winners from Nigeria in the previous years and look forward to celebrating winners this year too,' concluded Senator Dr. Kelej.
Details of the Awards:
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Film Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Song Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma and Women Empowerment. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 'Diabetes & Hypertension' 2025: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 'Diabetes & Hypertension' 2025: All Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Film Awards 'Diabetes & Hypertension' 2025: All Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Song Awards 'Diabetes & Hypertension' 2025: All Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Entries for the above awards can be submitted to us at:
[email protected]
For information on the awards, please visit our website:
www.merck-foundation.com
Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App
https://apps.apple.com/co/app/merck-foundation/id1535584997?l=en
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: Merck FoundationX: @MerckFoundationYouTube: MerckFoundationInstagram: Merck FoundationThreads: Merck FoundationFlickr: Merck Foundation
Website: https://merck-foundation.com/
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.merck-foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, Threads and Flickr.
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Business Wire is an American company that disseminates full-text press releases from thousands of companies and organizations worldwide to news media, financial markets, disclosure systems, investors, information web sites, databases, bloggers, social networks and other audiences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tigran Gambaryan, Binance Exec Who Was Detained in Nigeria for Nearly a Year, Departs Crypto Exchange
Tigran Gambaryan, the former U.S. federal agent who led Binance's financial crime compliance efforts, announced that he is leaving the company after a tumultuous four-year tenure. Gambaryan, once a IRS investigator, joined Binance in 2021 when the crypto exchange was under growing scrutiny for its lax compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. At the time, Binance had no investigations team. Under his leadership, the company built a 100-person global unit staffed with former prosecutors and federal agents, he said on social media. However, His tenure at Binance took a dramatic turn in 2024, when Nigerian authorities detained him on allegations tied to the exchange's operations. Gambaryan spent eight months in prison before being released on humanitarian grounds following bipartisan U.S. political pressure. He was ultimately cleared of charges, though Nigeria continued to pursue penalties against Binance. Later on, he said it would be an honor to serve his country again, if asked to do so. In his departure message, Gambaryan reflected on his time at Binance and expressed a desire to continue bridging the worlds of enforcement, technology, and compliance. 'There's a growing need for trusted, experienced operators, people who understand how to translate between technology, enforcement, and compliance,' he wrote. 'That's where I intend to continue making a difference,' he in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top Dividend Stocks To Consider In June 2025
Over the last 7 days, the United States market has risen by 1.4%, contributing to a 12% increase over the past year, with earnings forecasted to grow by 15% annually. In this environment of growth and optimism, selecting dividend stocks that offer consistent income and potential for capital appreciation can be a strategic way to enhance an investment portfolio. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Valley National Bancorp (VLY) 5.07% ★★★★★☆ Universal (UVV) 5.43% ★★★★★★ Southside Bancshares (SBSI) 5.17% ★★★★★☆ First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) 6.90% ★★★★★★ Ennis (EBF) 5.41% ★★★★★★ Dillard's (DDS) 6.51% ★★★★★★ Credicorp (BAP) 5.18% ★★★★★☆ CompX International (CIX) 5.03% ★★★★★★ Columbia Banking System (COLB) 6.24% ★★★★★★ Chevron (CVX) 4.98% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 150 stocks from our Top US Dividend Stocks screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: The Hershey Company, along with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells confectionery products and pantry items both in the United States and internationally, with a market cap of $33.04 billion. Operations: Hershey's revenue is primarily derived from its North America Confectionery segment at $8.71 billion, followed by North America Salty Snacks at $1.14 billion, and International operations contributing $905.10 million. Dividend Yield: 3.4% Hershey maintains a sustainable dividend payout with a 67.4% earnings coverage and 61% cash flow coverage, ensuring stability and reliability over the past decade. Despite trading below estimated fair value, its dividend yield of 3.39% is lower than the top US market payers. Recent board changes and product launches like HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate with Caramel may support future growth, though Q1 earnings showed decreased sales and income compared to last year at US$2.81 billion and US$224.2 million respectively. Delve into the full analysis dividend report here for a deeper understanding of Hershey. Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of Hershey shares in the market. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare company with operations spanning pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health, and has a market cap of approximately $193.70 billion. Operations: Merck & Co., Inc. generates revenue primarily through its Pharmaceutical segment, which accounts for $57.03 billion, and its Animal Health segment, contributing $5.95 billion. Dividend Yield: 4.1% Merck's dividend is well-covered with a payout ratio of 45.3% and cash payout ratio of 47.7%, indicating sustainability and reliability over the past decade. Although its 4.14% yield is below top-tier US dividend payers, Merck trades at a significant discount to estimated fair value, suggesting potential for capital appreciation. Recent M&A discussions to acquire MoonLake Immunotherapeutics for over US$3 billion highlight efforts to bolster Merck's drug pipeline as Keytruda approaches patent expiration. Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of Merck. According our valuation report, there's an indication that Merck's share price might be on the cheaper side. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Teekay Tankers Ltd. offers marine transportation services to the oil industry both in Bermuda and internationally, with a market cap of approximately $1.53 billion. Operations: Teekay Tankers Ltd. generates its revenue primarily from its Tankers segment, which accounts for $970.44 million, and its Marine Services and Other segment, contributing $122.25 million. Dividend Yield: 4.4% Teekay Tankers' dividend is supported by a low payout ratio of 31.3% and cash payout ratio of 21.5%, yet its history shows volatility with inconsistent growth over the past decade. Despite trading at 85.8% below estimated fair value, recent revenue and net income declines highlight challenges, though a special US$1.00 per share dividend was announced alongside a regular US$0.25 per share quarterly dividend, reflecting mixed signals for income-focused investors. Take a closer look at Teekay Tankers' potential here in our dividend report. Our valuation report here indicates Teekay Tankers may be undervalued. Click here to access our complete index of 150 Top US Dividend Stocks. Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports. Streamline your investment strategy with Simply Wall St's app for free and benefit from extensive research on stocks across all corners of the world. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include HSY MRK and TNK. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
Crypto is going mainstream in Africa, and Monica.cash is building the bridge
is transforming cryptocurrency into a practical financial tool for everyday Nigerians, offering fast crypto-to-Naira conversion, seamless local payments, and global spending access, all within one secure mobile app. Its relevance continues to grow, especially now in June 2025. Across Africa, more people are turning to cryptocurrency not just as an investment, but as a faster and cheaper way to manage money. In Nigeria, one of the world's most active crypto markets, a rising platform is leading this shift by solving a key problem: how to use crypto for everyday needs without the usual complications. That platform is a Nigerian-built app that makes it easy for anyone to convert crypto into local currency, pay bills, and spend money both online and offline. With over $100 million in crypto converted and more than ₦150 billion in payouts, it is rapidly becoming one of the most trusted tools for crypto-powered finance in Africa. At the heart of Monica's platform is its instant crypto-to-Naira engine. This feature allows users to deposit popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT into their Monica wallet and instantly receive the equivalent amount in Nigerian Naira. From there, users can either withdraw to their bank accounts or use the balance to make payments directly inside the app. This process, known as a crypto off-ramp, turns digital assets into real-world money. Monica sets itself apart with its speed and simplicity. Transactions are processed in minutes, and the app connects directly to over 30 Nigerian banks, making withdrawals seamless. 'Most platforms make you move money across multiple wallets, wait hours for confirmations, or face high fees,' said Monica's CEO. 'We've removed those barriers. With Monica, you log in, send your crypto, and get Naira in your bank account quickly and easily.' Monica goes far beyond basic wallet functions. It is designed as a complete financial toolkit for Nigerians. Once a user has Naira in their Monica balance, they can recharge airtime or mobile data, pay electricity, cable, and internet bills, buy from a library of over 1,000 digital gift cards, send money to other users or bank accounts, and create a virtual dollar card for international payments. The virtual dollar card is especially useful in Nigeria, where many traditional cards are blocked from international websites. Monica's card works with any platform that accepts Visa or Mastercard, allowing users to pay for subscriptions, ads, shopping, and software globally. Despite the advanced infrastructure behind it, Monica is built to feel effortless. The app uses biometric logins, real-time alerts, and strong encryption to protect users. It works well on low-bandwidth connections and is optimized for mobile, which is crucial in a country where most people use smartphones for financial access. 'People shouldn't need to be tech experts to use crypto,' said the CEO. 'We've built Monica to work for everyday people, not just developers or traders.' In many parts of the world, crypto is still viewed as speculative or risky. But in Nigeria, the technology is being used out of necessity, for payments, savings, and protection from inflation. Monica is tapping into that demand, not by promising future possibilities, but by delivering practical, usable tools today. The platform also rewards adoption through a ₦1500 welcome bonus for new users and ₦200 referral rewards when invited users deposit crypto. But the real incentive is usability, the ability to make crypto work like money should: fast, reliable, and useful. 'Crypto doesn't need to be complicated,' the CEO added. 'It needs to be helpful. That's what Monica is here to do.'
