By Abubakar Yusuf
Following the conferment and presentation of Officer of Order of Niger OON, on the immediate past President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah, by President, Muhammadu Buhari a special reception was held in his honour at Abuja on Tuesday, October 11 , 2022.
The reception, Chaired by Dr Ibrahim A. Kana,Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence, was graced by former and current serving public servants, civil servants, academicians, professionals of various fields, including the Police and Armed Forces, members of the Legislature, members of Nigerian Medical Association NMA, Old School mates, members of Idoma Community and cultural troupe and a host of numerous well wishers.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Ibrahim Kana, a former student and a mentee of the awardee, who also was a past national Treasurer of NMA, thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for rightly considering Prof I.A.O Ujah, worthy of the award.
Dr Ibrahim Kana called on those around the awardee to take advantage and emulate his virtues, professional and administrative leadership skills for their personal, community, state and nation building, especially in health.
In his words at the occasion,Dr Omede Idris, a former commissioner for Health in Kogi state, and Past President of NMA, on behalf of himself and Past Presidents of NMA, extolled the virtues of the awardee Prof Innocent A.O. Ujah,OON as a great mentor, teacher, professional and an accomplished personality, not only in medical field, but also in administration, mentorship and other areas of gainful endeavours.
Dr Omede Idris, also Past President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria APBN further described the awardee as a man great resource with unblemished track of impactful achievement.
Dr Omede Idris further described the awardee, a former Director General of National Institute of Medical Research,NIMR Yaba as a beacon of joy and hope for many through his strength , commitment, dedication and focus on issues.
Highlights of the event included Goodwill and best wishes messages given by the representative of Och’Idoma. Others were his Primary School mate, AVM Emmanuel R Ejeh (rtd), Idoma and Aidogodo community, chairmen of Governing Council of University of Benin and Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, where the awardee is the Vice Chancellor.
