Igwe Dr KON Orizu, Dr Ugboaja and members of his team
IFEOMA EJIOFOR writes that it was royal blessings galore for the top contender for the position of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Dr Joseph Ugboaja who, on Friday, paid courtesy visit on the traditional ruler of Nnewi, HRM, Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111 and the Obis of Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi.
The visit of the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of NAUTH to the traditional rulers was on the occasion of the 2020 Nnewi New Yam Festival (Afiolu).
In his brief speech at Igwe Nnewi’s palace, Dr Ugboaja thanked God for the blessing of God upon the monarch who according to him is still very strong in spite of his age.
He said he was at palace on his personal capacity to celebrate the ‘Afiolu’ with the highly revered monarch who is also a living legend.
Dr Ugboaja used the occasion of the visit to inform Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111 of his aspiration to take a shot at the position of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NAUTH which would be vacant next year.
The NAUTH’s CMAC pledged that he would identify fully with the traditional institutions in the industrial town of Nnewi and that he would offer a kind of leadership that would transform the hospital if he gets the plum job.
He said emphatically that his major priority as the CMD will be to move NAUTH to her permanent site so that the hospital can better serve Nnewi community, Anambra State and the nation at large.
Igwe Orizu in his comments said that the aspiration of every worker is to get promoted, noting that Dr Ugboaja’s ambition is in order.
He prayed God to grant the CMAC his heart desires.
Similarly at Obi Uruagu’s palace, His Highness, Obi Charles Afam Obi (Ogidi) in company of the President General of the community, Hon. Amb Charles Nwonye blessed the aspiration of the CMAC.
He noted that Dr Ugboaja has the capacity and experience to give NAUTH a quality leadership.
Also at Umudim, His Highness, Obi Bennett Okafor (Amaukwu) thanked the CMAC for identifying with Nnewi people on the occasion of Afiolu festival.
He said the aspiration of Dr Ugboaja to take over from the incumbent CMD after the expiration of his tenure is a welcomed development.
Amaukwu said he was particularly excited about the passion of Dr Ugboaja to move NAUTH to the permanent site for better health care delivery.
He said he expects CMAC to right the wrongs of the past if he makes it to the office CMD next year.
In the same vein, His Highness, Obi George Onyekaba (Obidiugwu), while welcoming Dr Ugboaja and his team to his palace said that the caliber of Nnewi personalities who accompanied the CMAC to his palace is an indication of his leadership prowess.
He commended the team for coming out fully to give their backing to the aspiration of Dr Ugboaja which according to him is in the best interest of Nnewi.
Obidiugwu also expressed his unflinching support for Dr Ugboaja.
Prince Chiedu Orizu, (Chairman, CEO Orizu Motors) Chief Emeka Nzewi, Hon Martins Okafor, Mr Gerald Adimma, Arc. Paul Ileka(Solid Base) Hon Tochukwu Unachukwu and other eminent personalities who were in the team expressed their confidence in the ability of Dr Ugboaja to move NAUTH to the next level.
“He has been in Nnewi for over two decades, he has also been a member of the management team of NAUTH for more than seven years, that is a man who knows his onus,” Prince Orizu noted.
The CMAC, NAUTH, Dr Joseph Ugboaja while asked to comment on his endorsement by the high and mighty in the industrial town of Nnewi thanked the royal fathers and other eminent personalities for identifying with him.
He however pointed out that the spate of endorsements as exciting as they are, are not only for him as a person but also, for the belief of the stakeholders in his capacity, experience and disposition to provide the proper leadership that will totally transform the hospital to a centre of excellence.
Dr Ugboaja paid glowing tribute to the efforts of the hospital board led by Chief Afukonyo and the management led by Prof Igwegbe AO and indeed all the staff of the hospital in moving the hospital forward.
He assures that he is committed to the vision of transforming NAUTH to a world class hospital, if given the opportunity.
