World Trade Center Facilitates New International Partnership to Improve Vitamin D Access in Africa

Photo by Sam Cushman, WTCA

Princess Moradeun Ogunlana speaks with Dale Benedict, owner and president of Bio-Tech Pharmacal, at a partnership launch event on Aug. 10. Ogunlana is a 1991 graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and will serve as a licensed distributor for Bio-Tech's products in Africa.

Bio-Tech Pharmacal of Fayetteville has launched a new partnership with Princess Moradeun Ogunlana, chief executive officer of Innovative Global Consulting and the African Women's Health Project International. She will serve as the official Bio-Tech representative for Africa and begin licensed distribution of Bio-Tech's vitamins and dietary supplements in Nigeria this year.

The partnership was made possible through efforts by Denise Thomas, director of Africa and Middle East Trade for the World Trade Center Arkansas, who connected Ogunlana with representatives from the company.

"I have worked with Deun for many years now, and she is a dear friend," Thomas said. "She is a remarkable achiever and she made this partnership possible in half the time it would take a normal company, despite all of the legal and technical hurdles of bringing vitamin D into Nigeria."

Vitamin D Deficiency in Africa

Ogunlana, who is a member of Yoruba Royalty in Nigeria, is a 1991 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and holds a degree in journalism, a Master of Public Health from Southern California University of Health Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy in humanistic studies from CICA International University.

"My passion in women's and children's health dates back to when I was a teenager and losing my 4-year-old baby sister to preventable disease, and feeling so helpless," Ogunlana said. "With this very vital partnership, our mission and goals are to lead the initiative to bring vitamin D to Africa."

According to Ogunlana, vitamin D deficiency is associated with high maternal and fetal mortality rates, poor pregnancy outcomes, breast cancer and many other diseases including osteoporosis, rickets, heart disease, depression and upper respiratory tract infections.

The partnership launch was celebrated with an event on Aug. 10 at Bio-Tech Pharmacal's facility in Fayetteville. Ogunlana also celebrated the launch of her new book, The Achiever's Power, at the event.

Officials and dignitaries attending the event included Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, World Trade Center President and CEO Dan Hendrix, Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta Kayode Laro, Northwest Arkansas District Representative for the Office of the Governor Stephanie Blevins and His Royal Highness Oba King Aderemi Adedapo of Osun State, Nigeria.

Long Term Vision

"I think this is a day of history," said Dale Benedict, owner and president of Bio-Tech Pharmacal. "I'm excited to think about the future impact that we will be able to make in Africa starting with Nigeria. Then we will spread our wings and look a little further."

This partnership is the beginning of a long-term effort to improve the quality and access to health care in Nigeria. Ogunlana says the long-term goal of the African Women's Health Project International is to build a first-class hospital and Wellness Center in Nigeria, and plans are already in the works to make this dream a reality.

For more information about Bio-Tech Pharmacal, visit biotechpharmacal.com. To learn more about the African Women's Health Project International, visit awhpi.org.

About the World Trade Center Arkansas: The mission of the World Trade Center Arkansas is to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services. The center is part of the University of Arkansas and serves as the trade promotion arm for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the center on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter.