FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES OTUKPO
BUHARI HONOURS FUHSO BOSS WITH NATIONAL AWARD
It was jubilation and showers of praises across the length and breadth of Nigeria as President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, conferred the National Honour of ‘’OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER’’ (OON) on the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the premier Federal University of Health Sciences, Professor Innocent Achanya Otobo Ujah, OON, mni.
Speaking at the reception held at Alibro Atrium, Utako, Abuja, Chairman of the occasion and Permanent Secretary, (PS), Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kama, mni, described the awardee as a distinguished Nigerian who believes in his country.
Dr. Kana, an erstwhile student of Prof Ujah, noted that while other Nigerians, particularly, medical doctors were exiting the country for higher pay, Prof Ujah, chose to stay back home to build the profession for the good of the country as President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), advocating a higher responsibility for the doyen of the medical profession in future.
The Chairman, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH), Management Board, Chief Bashorun Adedoja Adewolu, while corroborating Dr Kana’s disposition, posited that the honouree has been a Board Member of the University of Benin for years and has done well.
Chief Adewolu added that Prof Ujah is an asset to Nigeria who deserves higher responsibilities having been tested and trusted in previous positions including, DG – NIMR, President NMA and currently, the Vice-Chancellor of the first Federal Government-owned University of Health Sciences.
Bashorun Adewolu further informed that the immediate past President of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA and former Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, “is a shining light and an exceptionally gifted Nigerian from the Middle Belt who can be entrusted with any leadership responsibility because he is highly resourceful and capable.
“He deserves the recognition by the Federal Government and deserves more because he is an exemplary personality and selfless Nigerian who has continued to make this country proud.
“In fact, Prof. Ujah can be entrusted with the leadership of this country whenever the people of his part of this great country are given the opportunity to produce a candidate for that position. That goes to tell you how capable he is to take up leadership responsibilities.”
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of FUHSO, Prof. Abdullahi Abba, who also led the management of the University in solidarity with their Vice Chancellor, lauded Prof. Ujah for his outstanding contributions to the medical world and his administrative acumen and humane disposition which he said had endeared him to a lot of people in the country and around the world.
Prof. Abba appreciated the Federal Government for honouring the Vice-Chancellor which according to him was also an honour to the management, staff and students of FUHSO.
Responding, Professor Innocent Ujah, OON, mni, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and ovation by the dignitaries, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for finding him deserving of the honour, said it would motivate him to further dedicate himself to the country and humanity.
He averred “God has been kind to me and my family and I thank God. I will certainly not take God’s goodness for granted.” While urging Nigerians to dedicate themselves to the service of their fatherland, Prof. Ujah noted that Nigeria with its huge potential, would occupy its pride of place in the comity of nations if everyone puts in its best to ensure that the dreams of the founding fathers of the country were realized.
The Vice-Chancellor posited that he would cherish the National Honours award ‘OON’ jealously, stating that he would always encourage younger ones to grow even more than him and expressed happiness with Dr. Kana and his quondam students across the globe for making him proud.
He revealed that his driving force is honesty, integrity, dedication and determination. Prof Ujah who reminisced his experience with Mr. President, pointed out that he shall continue the momentum which singled him out for the prestigious recognition.
According to the Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, his achievements as NMA President speak volumes, pointing out that under him, his colleague got elected into the medical Association internationally and pledged to do more.
Management of FUHSO, presented a plaque to their Boss as an exceptional leader. Presenting the gift to the Vice-Chancellor, DVC, Admin, Prof. Ediga Agbo said the University Community remained proud of the Gynaecological Endocrinology and Endocrine Infertility specialist.
There were goodwill messages from Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, SOGON, NMA, his immediate Community of Aidogodo-Okpoga, FUHSO, groups, captains of industries, individuals and many more.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee, CPC, for the event and FUHSO Orator, Professor Owoicho Akpa, while thanking President Buhari for the recognition commended guests for their solidarity.
His Excellency, President Buhari, GCFR, on October 11, 2022 conferred the National Honours Award of OON on Professor Ujah at the International Conference Centre, (ICC), Abuja.