Nollywood actor Tony Mezie has been named the Nigerian ambassador for Sunu Reew Global Medical Mission, joining the Gambian organisation in its efforts to improve healthcare access and reach underserved communities across Africa.
“Sunu Reew,” which loosely translates to “Our Country” in Wolof, reflects a deep sense of national pride and community. Founded by Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, Sunu Reew is a Gambian organisation committed to enhancing healthcare delivery through innovative approaches, with a focus on addressing critical health challenges and promoting well-being across The Gambia.
Mezie was unveiled as the organisation’s Nigerian ambassador on Tuesday in Lagos, where he also signed on to the role as part of the organisation’s plans to strengthen its advocacy and outreach efforts.
Speaking exclusively to The Nollywood Reporter on how the appointment came about, Mezie said his relationship with Richards-Ohwotu played a role in introducing him to Sunu Reew’s work and its broader mission.
“She has always been big in what she does, and we got talking. She was a fan of mine, and she introduced me to what she does and the mission,” he said, describing the opportunity as a privilege and an honour.
For Mezie, the appointment is also an opportunity to contribute beyond his work in entertainment. He said he sees the role as a chance to give back and help address some of the gaps that continue to limit access to healthcare across African communities.
Describing himself as Sunu Reew’s only Nigerian ambassador “for now,” Mezie said he hopes to use the position to help connect the organisation’s work with communities that need medical attention and support.
He pointed to the organisation’s outreach efforts, including medical support and food supplies, as part of the work he hopes to support through his new role. According to him, the need for such interventions is particularly evident in Nigeria, where large populations and underserved communities continue to face difficulties accessing adequate healthcare.
Mezie recalled situations in which health screenings revealed serious conditions among people who were unaware of their health status. He cited blood pressure screenings that identified people with dangerously high or low readings, as well as cervical cancer screenings where some people received diagnoses but faced difficulties accessing the information, resources or funding needed for the next stage of care.
“A whole lot of people need to be accessed. A whole lot of people need this help,” he said.
The actor also called on other public figures to become more involved in healthcare advocacy, arguing that their platforms can help draw attention to health issues and encourage greater public and government involvement.
“I think public figures, leaders, influencers, everybody should come together to create awareness,” Mezie said, noting that millions of people across Africa still lack access to certain forms of medical care.
He believes celebrities and other influential figures can play a role by using their visibility to encourage people to take their health more seriously while also drawing attention to gaps that require institutional intervention.
Mezie said he intends to be actively involved rather than simply lending his name to the initiative, adding that he wants to participate in raising awareness and supporting future outreaches.
Looking ahead, he said plans are ongoing for another outreach in The Gambia in April or May 2027, while Nigeria and Ghana are also being considered for future missions. He added that the organisation hopes to reach other African countries as its work expands.
“More outreaches, more communities to be reached and a better Africa, basically, health wise,” Mezie said of what he hopes the initiative will achieve.
