Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi is a model ,I say it without hesitation… Fuhso VC,
By: Sam Obinna Ibe,
Umuahia.
Last Saturday,27th, April,2024, history was made as the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara Umuahia South LGA of Abia State,HRM Eze GC Ibeakanma and his people bestowed chieftaincy title of Nwanne dina Mba 1 to a prominent Nigerian from Idoma land,Benue State,and it is no mean personality than Professor Innocent Ujah, the Vice Chancellor,Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo ,Benue State.
Expectedly,the royal father and his people rolled out the drums to celebrate and honour a towering academic giant of global recognition, and the venue was the Ezeukwu Royal Palace of Umuojameze Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara.
People are bound to ask, why the honour to a person who is not from Abia State but Benue,reasons are not far fetched. the honour was in recognition of the immense contributions of the erudite professor to the growth and development of education
especially his kind disposition to development of people around him
It would be recalled that Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu one of the people who benefited from the large heart of education scholarship led him to pursued higher education where he studied law and trained as a lawyer .
On hearing this good news Professor Innocent Ujah who is not from Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara,not from Abia State,not from Igbo Land but from Idoma in Benue State,the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara, Umuahia South,HRM Eze GC Ibeakanma who rarely confers chieftaincy titles to persons ,he and his community decided to invite the Idoma born Professor of Ganacology and him honour to s
erve as a good lesson for others.
This perhaps explains the reason why the people of Ezeleke and their monarch decided to rolled out the drums to celebrate this role model of our time given the exemplary path to promotion of one ness and unity in diversity , conversely,the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo Benue State who hardly accepts chieftaincy titles especially when there is monetary considerations and seeing that it was given in recognition of assistance rendered to their son Ezerendu, decided to honour the invitation and the chieftaincy installation.
Interestingly enough,Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo Benue State did not received this all important chieftaincy title from a first class traditional ruler by proxy as it were,came in person with the retinue of of some management staff of the University along side some of his brothers who accompanied him to receive the award.
To lend credence to the kind of prominent personality coming to receive the honour,the traditional ruler,a flamboyant royal father,and his cabinet Chiefs made sure nothing was left undone in preparation for the visit of the August visitor, indeed,the chieftaincy title attracted the roll call of who is who in the society,they included: the Mayor of Umuahia South LGA,Barr Ejike Obike,the Chief Medical Director,CMD Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia Abia State,Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi,Hon Chief Iheanacho Obioma, former House of Representatives member, Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, National Assembly,(1999-2003), Former Director General, Anambra Imo River Basin Authority,Engr Sir Onu Eluwa, Lagos based business mogul, Chief Sir Ibegbulem Emelogu Obioma.
Others are HRH Eze Paul Chukwunyere Egwu, Onyeogara 1 of Dikeukwu Ekenobizi,HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe, the former first Vice Chairman, Abia State Council of traditional rulers and HRM Eze Philip Ajomiwe, the former Chairman Umuahia North Council of traditional rulers among others.
Speaking while conferring Professor Innocent Ujah with Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke ,the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community,Umuopara Umuahia South LGA Abia State,HRM Eze GC Ibeakanma described the Idoma born newest Chief as a role model whole for whose milk of human kindness has touched so many people including an Ezeleke ‘s son,Barr Iroham Ezerendu., adding that that was why the community invited him to honour for the rare gesture across the border.
Speaking at the occasion,the Chief Medical Director,Federal Medical Centre, FMC Umuahia, Abia State,Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi described Professor Innocent Ujah as his senior professional colleague,mentor and boss who assisted him to be where he is today.
He however extolled Eze G C Ibeakanma and his Council for the chieftaincy title given to his boss from Idoma Land, promising to be fully involved in activities in Ezeleke because of the deserving honour bestowed on him.
In his vote of thanks,the newest installed Chief Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara Umuahia, Professor Innocent Ujah commended Eze G C Ibeakanma and his Eze in Council for honouring him while promising to be a good ambassador of the people.
The vice chancellor Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State said he never knew Ezerendu before but moved to assist him when he discovered that his loyalty and dedication to work on the civil service was unparalleled,pointing out that Ezerendu does not have to be an Idoma man, or from Benue State to help him.
According to the most Distinguished Professor of Science,”Let me say that God is great,I have been conferred with a Chieftaincy title of “Nwanne dina Mba 1( Brother across the Niger )of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.”
He noted that the chieftaincy title conferred on him is what is called transformational leadership noting that recognition is not in Idoma,not in Benue State,not even in Enugu State that is closer to us but in Abia State.And again,it is good to keep relationship,we need to open up because we are all human beings.
,This is an honour that has been bestowed on me by Ezeukwu 1 and the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara,HRM Eze G C Ibeakanma”this chieftaincy title was not bought,but in recognition of my modest contributions in assisting towards development of human beings” that come across me irrespective of where they from.
So this chieftaincy title conferment was done out of their own wish,done in a recognition given to me and my people,so it’s a great day for us,not just for me,but the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State and other person’s that are associated with us.
Continuing, Professor Innocent Ujah maintained that there is a lesson to be learnt for this friendship across the border because of the feelings of tribalistic, nepotistic attitudes of Nigerians now makes it difficult for people to cross border but this is an attestation done to Chief Professor Innocent Ujah, FES med,MNI,OON,NPOM
” You heard what Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi said about me,as early as I knew him,he studied under us,I saw him as somebody who can be trusted,so when the opportunity came,I recommended him for Board Chairmanship when he was in Ebonyi state,he was my Assistant Secretary General when I was the President General of Society of Ganacology/Obstetrics of Nigeria,SOGON,he wanted to contest for the position of Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre,FMC Umuahia,I gave him my blessings, today he is doing very well in Abia State “
Answering questions from our reporter in Umuahia on what moved him in assisting two notable Igbo sons ( Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu and Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi) to attain positions of prominence in their chosen careers which is very rare considering the fact that he is not an Igbo man,what was the driving force behind this kind gesture,the newest installed Chief from Igbo Land, Professor Innocent Ujah said that it was a manifestation of service to humanity,, adding that you don’t need to know anybody to help the person.
He said,” my belief is that you don’t need to know anybody to help him probably it is my weak point which has turned out to be my strength i met Chief( Barr) Iroham Ezerendu at Nigeria Institute of Medical Association,NIMA, I didn’t know him from anywhere but he was hard working,my own hallmark of excellence is that you must work hard and get result,and my dictum is, ” Talk and Do” ,thus; whatever I say ,I do it,
“So when Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu started working with me,I saw someone who is properly brought up and loyal,in civil service,loyalty is number one, loyalty has actually carried him very far,others may be envious of him,he would have been retired if not we engage him in FUHSO ,in the university system,if you are not an academic staff,or a professor,you retire at 65 years,so he will wait till he is 65,that is not the issue, the issue is that he is still providing services to us” VC FUHSO said.
As for the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre,FMC Umuahia, Abia State, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi,the erudite Professor of Ganacology/ Obstetrics,Professor Innocent Ujah described him in glowering terms, saying” Professor Onyebuchi is a model,I say it without hesitation,they are not Idoma people,they are not from Benue State but I see good in them”
He expressed optimism that Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi is doing pretty well in his chosen carrer hoping that he has what it takes to make it bigger when he is through with his assignment at the federal medical center, Umuahia while describing him as a model,he can stand for,any time,any day and any where.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State ,professor Chief Innocent Ujah, therefore harped on the need of doing good wherever you finds yourself,irrespective of whom is involved because we are all human beings while also appreciating the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia,HRM Eze G .C Ibeakanma and his cabinet for the honour done him and his people for the recognition promising to be the good ambassador of the people.
With this commendation from an eminent Nigeria who is not from Igbo Land,it does appear that Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia, Abia State,Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi is like a golden fish without any hiding place .
For instance,he is breaking grounds given the avalanche of achievements recorded so far as Chief Medical Director,FMC,recognized at the home front, beyond the shores of Igbo Land, he is also commended as a role model of note , coming from the attestation of an academic colossus,Prof Innocent Ujah from Idoma in Benue State.
In an opinion poll conducted ,scores of Abians are full of praises to the Ibeku born trained Medical Doctor now a profession in the medical profession ,which is no mean feat.
Our Reporter gathered that since
he came to FMC Umuahia,he is gradually and steadily changing the face of the federal medical center Umuahia to the applause of all and sundry.
FMC under his watch has carried out impressive surgical operational breakthroughs and other successful health care deliveries.
No wonder,a distinguished professor outside Igbo Land described Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi as a model and was proud to say it without hesitation.
