NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

HISTORY OF NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLEFT LIP AND PALATE (NACLP)

Cleft management in Nigeria before 2006 was largely provided by a large number of local hospitals. Most surgeons worked in isolation, as low-volume operators with only about 21% of surgeons performing cleft procedures running a form of joint multidisciplinary clinics.

Pan African Association for Cleft Lip and Palate (PACLP) was the first official gathering of cleft care providers in Africa ever. This came up at ITTA Meetings in Ibadan in 2006 and 2007 sponsored by The Smile Train. Present at these meetings were De Lois Greenwood (Smile train VP), Troy Reinhart, Anjuna Kalsi (African Representative Smile Train), Ian Jackson, Linda D’Anthonio, Prof Adenwalar, Samuel Noordoff, Richard Kirschner and some other International contributors to our foundation of NACLP

Late Linda D’Anthonio a speech pathologist from Loma Linda University was the catalyst who played vital roles in ensuring that we formed an Association and not just hold meetings.

The first coordinated effort at standardizing team care in Nigeria was the Pan African Conference for Cleft lip and Palate (PACLP) in 2006. At the same time, PACLP was formed, handed over to Prof. Peter Donkor and NACLP came into being and handed over to Prof. OM Oluwatosin.

The Association was born officially on 15^th November 2006 when her Inaugural meeting was held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife. The constitution was made available at this meeting and an election of officers was done: President: Prof. OM Oluwatosin; Vice President Dr. H.O Olasoji; Secretary Dr. P.B Olaitan, Assistant Secretary General Dr F.O Oginni, Treasurer Dr L Ahaji and Financial Secretary Dr. Osinaike

After 4 years, the association met 24^th April 2010 for a biennial General meeting (BGM). It was her 1^st Scientific meeting at which 16 Abstracts were presented and the official logo of the Association, designed by Dr AA Olusanya was unveiled.

A new executive took over after a successful election

President Dr. R.A Adebola; Vice President Dr. Simeon Yiltok; Secretary Dr. F.O Oginni, Assistant Secretary General Dr. Peter Egbor, Treasurer Dr. A.A Olusanya, and Financial Secretary Dr. Olawoye.

27^th April 2013 was another successful BGM which held at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The Local Organizing committee was headed by Dr WL Adeyemo and a new executive took over the leadership of NACLP. President Dr. Simeon Yiltok; Vice President Dr. F.O Oginni, Secretary General Dr. Seidu Bello, Treasurer Dr. Ojochide, and Financial Secretary Mr. James Ayoade

The history of NACLP is evolving yet, it cannot be concluded without expressing sincere gratitude to our pioneers who sacrificed greatly to lay the solid foundation on which NACLP stands today.