By Nelson Ogbu
Former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Professor Mike Ogirima, has lauded the new president of the association, Professor Innocent Ujah, for prioritising the development of human resources above all other consideration in his entire medical and academic careers.
"I can tell you for sure as a friend to Prof Ujah for over 4 decades now that what he enjoys doing the most in his life is helping to develop human capacity especially that of medical doctors." Ogirima said.
The past president who was speaking on the occasion of a reception held in honour of Professor Ujah at the NMA secretariat in Makurdi, yesterday, also commended Ujah who is also the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, for using the past 40 years in inculcating discipline into the medical doctors he worked with across the country and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver as the new NMA president.
Professor Ujah in a response acknowledged the efforts of all the branches of NMA that culminated into his victory revealing that the medical association has never had acrimony during elections as each time some persons became agitated over positions in any elections in the past, he would advise others to step down for them.
The Professor of Obsterics and Gynaecology who praised the Ogirima's era and described it as so good, however, stressed that he would strive towards surpassing the legacies of all past presidents.
While dedicating his victory to God, Ujah advised his colleagues not to be over ambitious, pointing out that everything has time and commended the tremendous support of plateau and Benue states chapters of the association.
Earlier, state chairman of the NMA, Dr Joseph Ngbea, had said Prof Ujah distinguished himself when he, Ngbea, was his student and added that he was not surprised that today, he Ujah, is towering both in the professional and national politics of the country.
Ngbea presented a plaque and several gifts to Ujah to mark the visit and remarked that medical doctors in Benue were proud of him.
