As part of the celebration marking the Diamond Jubilee and 98th birthday of HRH Igwe Orizu III, the Igwe Orizu ICT Centre was commissioned and donated to NAUTH as part of the ongoing radical infrastructural transformation of the institution by the Chief Medical Director, Professor Joseph Ugboaja.
Igwe KON Orizu, who is celebrating his 60th year on the throne, is also specially marking his 98th birthday.
A series of events had taken place in commemoration of the special year that the Monarch will be celebrating with his people during the Ofala festival. The monarch challenged the Nnewi people to address the issue of lack of sustenance of wealth beyond the business founder. A bane that is very pronounced not only in Nnewi but across the Igbo nation.
The critical subject matter of succession as a matter of concern had begun receiving attention through a seminar held at Anaedo Hall on December 22, 2023.
The CMD in addressing the guests at the hospital, revealed that HRH Igwe KON Orizu III is most interested in developing the NAUTH’s permanent site. He informed the audience that in the run-up to becoming the CMD, that Igwe elicited a promise from him that if he succeeded to become the CMD that he will move to the permanent site, so that he would witness witness it during his lifetime.
Professor Ugboaja said that he knew for a fact that HRH Igwe Nnewi was instrumental in organizing his people to raise the funds required to outbid other towns that were interested in the race to site the teaching hospital in their communities.
Professor Ugboaja informed the people that Igwe Nnewi had made a formal visit to the site not less than five times since he took over as the CMD.
“Although it was a daunting task to move to the permanent because of lack of roads and other infrastructure, we have managed to construct befitting structures and roads in transforming the hospital.”
“Our goal remains to be the largest hospital in Nigeria and also a leading medical tourist center.” Professor Ugboaja informed the guests that UCH Ibadan has about a 1900-bed facility, but NAUTH is set to eclipse that by a wide margin.
Professor Ugboaja informed the audience that NAUTH only sees patients now at the permanent site. “It is only in emergencies that patients are seen at the temporary location,” Professor Ugboaja concluded.
“To honor this revered monarch, Igwe Orizu, who had championed the cause of the hospital from inception till date, we thought it befitting to name a one-kilometer road after him.”
Professor Ugboaja used the opportunity to congratulate Igwe Orizu on behalf of the management and staff.
The Council chairman for Nnewi North LGA, Engr. Chris Obiorah represented His Excellency Governor Soludo. The former Governor of Anambra state, Dame Etiaba, President General of Nnewi, Dr. Atueyi, the Igwe Nnewi Royal Cabinet members, the Body of Titled Men of Nnewi, and several distinguished personalities were on hand to witness the occasion.
The Crown Prince of Nnewi, Dr. Obi Orizu, unveiled the plaque with the names of donors who supported Igwe Orizu in the construction etched on a dwarf pillar in front of the ICT centre entrance