By Don Peter Okoro JP-UN.
A major Stakeholder in the political and community space of Anambra State, as well as the incumbent Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Nnewi North, Hon. Tony Muodielu has posited that the Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja deserves to be presented with an elephant, not just a cow. He made this clear recently during an exclusive interview at his country home in Umuzu-Mbana Otolo Nnewi, Anambra State. Commenting on the 1 year anniversary of the re-location of the hospital to the permanent site, Hon.Tony Muodielu said: “The celebration of the 1 year anniversary and commissioning of projects is a very laudable idea.
When you go to the old site of NAUTH, you will find out that the place is now too congested. The hospital has outgrown the area. Moving down to Akamili is the right step in the right direction. It is long overdue, just that the former Management did not see it as something necessary, but I give kudos to Prof Joe Ugboaja (OchinanwataNnewi); he deserves to be given an elephant not just a cow.
Prof Ugboaja’s selection as the CMD of NAUTH changed the narratives. He successfully transformed the new site, which was a thick bush, into a very livable mega city for health. Celebrating the 1st anniversary is a welcome development. People who knew that site about 4 to 5 ago are awed by what they now see. The Transformation is phenomenal. From what I’m seeing, he is bound to take the hospital to a global height.” On his prayers and advice to the CMD, he said: “My prayer is that God will continue to protect him and to encourage him not to look back. I can see the fire in his eyes. He is still looking forward to doing greater things in that place. I pray that God will continue to encourage, strengthen, and guide him so that he will continue to excel in the work he is doing. As can be seen, he is a visionary Leader and I see him going higher and higher. I can see him on the global stage going by what I’m seeing now.” Speaking on the need for Ndi-Nnewi to benefit maximally from the Teaching Hospital, he submitted: “Though, I don’t know the ratio of employment there, so I’m not in a good position to say much, but even if he has given the Indigenes opportunities before, let him give more. As Oliver Twist asked for more, we are asking for more. It is the Indigene’s God-given opportunity to benefit from the hospital. Let him give more quota to the communities housing the facility so that there will be a friendly environment for the operations of the hospital to thrive. If you don’t recognize the communities, they will feel marginalized and may go on to create an atmosphere that may not be conducive to the smooth running of the hospital.