October 10th, 2024
On World Mental Health Day, LifeLine International proudly announces the appointment of H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, as its Honorary Global Patron. This appointment highlights H.E. Mrs Saraki’s consistent and unwavering commitment to health and wellbeing, particularly in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention.
H.E. Mrs Saraki’s appointment comes at a critical time as mental health challenges and suicide rates, particularly for young people and across countries in Africa, are rising. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29. Globally, suicide claims about 720,000 lives each year, with 73% of suicides occurring in low-and middle-income countries where access to mental health services and support remains limited. These stark statistics underscore the urgent need for enhanced mental health services and crisis support, particularly in regions where resources are scarce.
As Honorary Global Patron, H.E. Mrs Saraki will leverage her global influence and leadership as a global health advocate to further LifeLine International’s mission of reducing deaths by suicide and expanding access to life-saving telephone and online crisis support services. Her commitment to improving health outcomes, especially for vulnerable and marginalised populations, aligns seamlessly with LifeLine International’s vision of ensuring that by 2050, every person, regardless of their location, has access to high-quality crisis support.
CEO of LifeLine International, Thilini Perera, remarked: “We are honoured to welcome H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki as our Honorary Global Patron. Her exceptional leadership and tireless advocacy for health equity will greatly enhance our efforts to prevent suicide and expand access to crisis support. We are confident that her involvement will bring transformative change to mental health and suicide prevention globally.”
H.E. Mrs Saraki’s work will be instrumental in addressing the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing in Africa, where suicide rates are the highest globally. Her voice will serve as a powerful advocate for young people, women, and communities most in need of support, helping to break down the barriers that prevent access to mental health care.
In accepting the role, H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki stated: “I am truly humbled to take on the role of Honorary Global Patron for LifeLine International. Mental health is an essential component of wellbeing, and we must ensure that every individual has access to the support they need, especially in times of crisis. I look forward to working with LifeLine International to extend our reach and impact, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.”
With H.E. Mrs Saraki’s guidance, LifeLine International, which has 200 LifeLine Centres operated by 31 Members in 27 countries, is poised to make significant strides in addressing the global suicide crisis. By combining her stewardship with LifeLine’s life-saving work, the organisation will expand its efforts to provide accessible, community-driven mental health support and crisis intervention on the frontlines.
LifeLine International remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that every life is valued and saved, and H.E. Toyin Saraki’s patronage will undoubtedly amplify this crucial work.
September 23rd, 2024
[Montréal, Canada] – On Saturday, 21st September 2024, at the One Young World Summit, a pioneering new chapter of Project Oscar was launched, marking a major scale-up in the fight against neonatal jaundice. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, in partnership with Oscar Anderson MBE and Reckitt, announced the expansion of Project Oscar to Nigeria. This initiative is aimed at saving lives by providing life-changing phototherapy units for the treatment of newborn jaundice—a leading cause of preventable brain damage in infants.
This high-level mainstage event featured distinguished speakers including Oscar Anderson MBE, a 23-year-old disability advocate and founder of Project Oscar; Patty O’Hayer, Global Head of External Affairs and Social Impact at Reckitt; and Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa. The launch was a powerful demonstration of how simple, affordable light therapy can change the lives of newborns at risk of jaundice and bring preventative quality healthcare care to communities across Nigeria.
In his moving speech, Oscar Anderson shared the personal story of how a lack of access to light therapy after birth resulted in cerebral palsy. This life experience fueled his determination to prevent such outcomes for others, leading him to create Project Oscar. Since its inception in Vietnam in 2019, Project Oscar has provided over 100 phototherapy units, trained healthcare professionals, and treated more than 150,000 newborns.
As Nigeria ranks one of the the country most affected by neonatal jaundice, the expansion of Project Oscar to Lagos State will have a transformational impact. The project aims to equip healthcare facilities with the essential technology to diagnose and treat jaundice, ensuring that newborns receive the care they need in time. It also seeks to implement policy changes to make jaundice screening a routine part of newborn care across the country.
Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa emphasised the life-saving potential of Project Oscar: “We are delighted to announce today that we are launching Project Oscar in Nigeria, beginning with Lagos State. This initiative has the power to save lives, ensure healthier outcomes for newborns, and change the future of neonatal care in our country. We want to ensure that every baby is tested for jaundice before leaving the hospital, creating a new normal for early detection and treatment. By working together, we can ensure that no child is left untreated due to a lack of resources through a community of practice for immediate detection.”
Project Oscar’s launch in Nigeria is a significant step in the global fight against neonatal jaundice. By leveraging the power of light therapy, this initiative will save lives, prevent disabilities, and create a brighter future for thousands of newborns. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, alongside its partners, Oscar Anderson & the Anderson Family, Reckitt, NEST360, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is calling on everyone to shine their light by signing the Light For Life Letter and advocating for stronger global standards in newborn care.
June 13th, 2024
#ForeverKings – On Tuesday 11th of June, I was delighted to be flanked by Dr Saraki II and Dr Saraki III, respectively my dear husband HE Abubakar Bukola Saraki MBBS CON and my darling daughter Dr Teniola Saraki MBBS, and to be accompanied by a Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Razak Atunwa, and highly renowned Global Health Leader and Innovator, Bhavin Vaid, as I was honoured with the prestigious King’s Changemaker Award as part of the 2024 King’s College London Distinguished Alumni Awards.
I am humbled to receive the King’s Changemaker Award, as this recognition highlights the power of using knowledge with purpose and celebrates my efforts in global development, particularly in maternal, newborn, and child health through the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, while also acknowledging my work in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and championing health equity through active global and national policy and advocacy.
Reflecting on my educational journey at King’s College London, attaining an LLM in International Economic Law, I truly appreciate the profound impact of my time at the institution on my career trajectory, as my experience at #KCL instilled in me a sense of responsibility to use my education to make a meaningful impact on society with an international perspective. King’s mission to drive positive and sustainable change in society, through its commitment to empowering interdisciplinary thinking, has been a guiding force.
At the distinguished award ceremony which took place at The Great Hall, King’s Building, Strand Campus, hosted by King’s Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Shitij Kapur with Former Award Winner David Stanley BEM (Music Mmus), 2001 acting as compere for the evening, I congratulated all the distinguished awardees, including Dr Victoria ‘Vickki’ Harmer, alongside whom I serve on the Global Breast Cancer Care Council.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to King’s College London for the honour bestowed upon me, thank you, King’s College London, for this incredible distinction. Let us continue to harness the power of education and use our wisdom for the greater good!
June 17th, 2025
H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, has been appointed as a member of the Bayer Sustainability Council, joining a distinguished global cohort of experts dedicated to advancing sustainability through health equity, food security, and climate resilience.
Bayer AG today announced the restructuring of its independent Sustainability Council, welcoming five new members: H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki, Facundo Etchebehere, Lisa Lange, Philipp Roesler, and Cori Wittman Stitt. The Council serves as a high-level advisory body guiding Bayer’s strategy and performance on sustainability, ensuring that the company’s global goals are informed by diverse, real-world expertise.
H.E. Mrs Saraki’s appointment brings a wealth of experience in maternal, newborn, and child health; gender equity; and community health system strengthening, areas she has championed for over two decades across Africa and globally.
“It is an honour to join Bayer’s Sustainability Council at such a pivotal moment for our planet and its people. As we look to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, our collective responsibility is to ensure that sustainability is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality, especially for the most vulnerable populations. In this spirit of being Stronger Together, I look forward to contributing my insights from frontline Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, plus Nutrition RMNCAH+N, and to strengthening the link between community health systems and corporate sustainability commitments,” said H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki.
The newly restructured Council will work more closely with Bayer’s internal sustainability teams and operational working groups, helping accelerate the company’s progress toward its 2030 targets in areas including regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, and access to healthcare.
H.E. Mrs Saraki joins a multidisciplinary group of sustainability leaders, with continuing members including Professor Ashok Gulati (India), Professor Christian Klein (Germany), Carolyn Miles (USA), and Dante Pesce Gonzalez (Chile). The Council embodies a Health for All, Hunger for None approach to sustainability, one that bridges sectors, disciplines, and communities to create enduring impact.
Through her leadership at the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and advisory roles with global institutions, H.E. Mrs Saraki has consistently worked to align public health delivery with human rights, gender justice, and sustainable development. Her appointment highlights the vital role of African leadership and frontline insight in shaping global sustainability agendas.
<Read Official Bayer Press Release>
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For Media Enquiries:
Zelia Bukhari – zelia.bukhari@wbfafrica.org
May 1st, 2025
Lagos, Nigeria, and Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA – 24 April 2025
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and Caring Cross are pleased to announce the execution of a formal Memorandum of Understanding to advance equitable access to cutting-edge medical therapies, including CAR-T cell treatments and stem cell gene therapies, within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The agreement is established for an initial term of one year, with the possibility of extension, and will be in effect from 24 April 2025 to 23 April 2026.
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, established by Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, is a distinguished non-governmental organisation committed to strengthening health systems and improving health outcomes across Nigeria and the African continent through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and frontline implementation. Caring Cross, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, is a mission-driven non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding global access to life-saving cell and gene therapies through decentralised manufacturing models, technological innovation, and equitable frameworks.
This strategic collaboration, anchored in principles of scientific justice, ethical stewardship, and inclusive innovation, seeks to support the responsible localisation and sustainable integration of advanced biotherapeutics within Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem. Under the terms of the MoU, WBFA will lead high-level policy engagement, advocacy initiatives, and stakeholder mobilisation to facilitate regulatory alignment, legislative support, and public trust. Caring Cross will provide its technical expertise in the ethical development, manufacture, and delivery of CAR-T and gene therapies, employing open-access models that prioritise affordability and health system integration.
“Our collaboration with Caring Cross embodies a shared vision that the future of healthcare innovation must be universally accessible and ethically grounded,” remarked Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa. “We are committed to ensuring that pioneering therapies reach all populations equitably, advancing both scientific progress and social justice.”
Dr. Boro Dropulić, Director of Caring Cross, noted: “We are honoured to collaborate with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa to catalyse a model of health innovation that is driven by community needs, scientific rigour, and systemic equity. We aspire to make Nigeria a model for inclusive, sustainable access to the benefits of advanced therapeutic technologies.”
By harnessing advocacy, regulatory innovation, and decentralised biotherapeutic manufacturing, WBFA and Caring Cross aim to position Nigeria as a demonstrative leader in expanding access to 21st-century medical innovations within emerging health systems. Furthermore, the collaboration will serve as a model for bridging the global innovation gap by fostering knowledge exchange, global financing opportunities, and collaborative regulation to advance transformative care.
Representatives from Caring Cross will be present at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday, May 5th, taking place at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California. We welcome expressions of interest from prospective partners and investors who wish to support our initiatives in Nigeria. To arrange a meeting, please contact us via the details provided below.
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) is a non-governmental organization founded in 2004 by Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki. Its mission is to improve health and wellbeing across sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on areas such as maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, gender equality, and sustainable development. WBFA’s initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming for measurable impact through frontline programs, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Through its broad-reaching programs, WBFA strives to create healthier, more resilient communities across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
Media Contact:
Zelia Bukhari
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa
zelia.bukhari@wbfafrica.org
+44 7564 838691
Caring Cross is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the development of advanced medicines and ensuring global access to cures. To achieve its mission, Caring Cross develops technologies and therapeutic candidates that improve the accessibility, affordability, and applicability of advanced medicines like CAR-T therapy and stem cell gene therapy.
Vectors used for Caring Cross ATMPs are manufactured by Vector BioMed, a for-profit vector contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), specializing in rapid lentiviral vector manufacturing solutions, to provide the industry with affordable, high-quality GMP lentiviral vectors.
https://caringcross.org
https://vectorbiomed.com
Media Contacts:
Daniel Laender, Director of Communications, Caring Cross
daniel.laender@caringcross.org
+1 (240) 447-3692
Kathy Fowler, On The Marc Media
kathleen@onthemarcmedia.com
+1 (410) 963-2345
October 10th, 2024
On World Mental Health Day, LifeLine International proudly announces the appointment of H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, as its Honorary Global Patron. This appointment highlights H.E. Mrs Saraki’s consistent and unwavering commitment to health and wellbeing, particularly in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention.
H.E. Mrs Saraki’s appointment comes at a critical time as mental health challenges and suicide rates, particularly for young people and across countries in Africa, are rising. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29. Globally, suicide claims about 720,000 lives each year, with 73% of suicides occurring in low-and middle-income countries where access to mental health services and support remains limited. These stark statistics underscore the urgent need for enhanced mental health services and crisis support, particularly in regions where resources are scarce.
As Honorary Global Patron, H.E. Mrs Saraki will leverage her global influence and leadership as a global health advocate to further LifeLine International’s mission of reducing deaths by suicide and expanding access to life-saving telephone and online crisis support services. Her commitment to improving health outcomes, especially for vulnerable and marginalised populations, aligns seamlessly with LifeLine International’s vision of ensuring that by 2050, every person, regardless of their location, has access to high-quality crisis support.
CEO of LifeLine International, Thilini Perera, remarked: “We are honoured to welcome H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki as our Honorary Global Patron. Her exceptional leadership and tireless advocacy for health equity will greatly enhance our efforts to prevent suicide and expand access to crisis support. We are confident that her involvement will bring transformative change to mental health and suicide prevention globally.”
H.E. Mrs Saraki’s work will be instrumental in addressing the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing in Africa, where suicide rates are the highest globally. Her voice will serve as a powerful advocate for young people, women, and communities most in need of support, helping to break down the barriers that prevent access to mental health care.
In accepting the role, H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki stated: “I am truly humbled to take on the role of Honorary Global Patron for LifeLine International. Mental health is an essential component of wellbeing, and we must ensure that every individual has access to the support they need, especially in times of crisis. I look forward to working with LifeLine International to extend our reach and impact, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.”
With H.E. Mrs Saraki’s guidance, LifeLine International, which has 200 LifeLine Centres operated by 31 Members in 27 countries, is poised to make significant strides in addressing the global suicide crisis. By combining her stewardship with LifeLine’s life-saving work, the organisation will expand its efforts to provide accessible, community-driven mental health support and crisis intervention on the frontlines.
LifeLine International remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that every life is valued and saved, and H.E. Toyin Saraki’s patronage will undoubtedly amplify this crucial work.
The e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.
