News Editor
Achibong Esuene
The immediate past and pioneer Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Professor Innocent Achanya Otobo Ujah, has paid visit to the paramount ruler of Idoma kingdom, His Royal Majesty, HRM, Dr. John Elaigwu, CON
to thank him for his support, guidance, and prayers while superintending over the first Federal Government owned Medical University federal government in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit at the palace of the Chairman, Idoma Area Traditional Council, the formerVice Chancellor said that he was in the palace to formally inform the paramount Chairman, Idoma Area Traditional Council of his successful retirement from the University system in line with the provisions and status of the University.
He thanked Och’Idoma for his unflinching support, guidance and prayers during and after his tenure as the first Vice Chancellor of the University in his domain, calling for value re-orientation of his subjects
The premier VC told the monarch that while he was doing his best to advance the academic and administrative programmes of the University, some of his trusted allies turned into Judas with the sinister intention to sabotage and disgrace him out of office.
“They conspired and sowed seeds of discord and instigated the unsuspecting public against him in their unbriddled greed and desperation for office, but God almighty has vindicated me from enemies within”
The former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA), revealed that the problem of Idoma is largely within the Idoma people and not from the outsiders as regularly portrayed, stating that there was too much of envy and jealousy among his subjects which have damaging effects on Idoma ethnic origin.
Ujah emphasized that FUHSO was the fastest growing among the Federal Universities of Health Sciences in Nigeria until the arrival of the second Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Ohieku Mohammed Salami and his cohorts who could be described as agents of desruction as he completely frustrated the University’s planned programmes, including the accreditation of courses in the University by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, (MDCN) as well as the staff capturing into the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), earlier arranged for October, 2024.
He however, expressed happiness that peace had returned to the University since the right things have been done and appreciated the visitor to the University and president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, former presidents – Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR and Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, former president of the Senate Sen. David Mark, GCON, the Benue State government,Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission, NUC, Tetfund, Management, Staff, and Students of the University for their unalloyed supports despite some hiccups, engineered by disgruntled elements.
In his response, the Och’Idoma, Dr John Elaigwu who was obviously pleased with the immediate past pioneer VC of the University, stated that Professor Ujah had written his name in gold, emphasizing that the former Vice Chancellor holds a traditional title of Ogwu’ Agba K’Idoma (Mighty and Powerful), stressing that he (Prof Ujah) has paid his dues as a medical giant, leader and philanthropist.
His royal majesty affirmed that the Prof Ujah had not only raised the profile of Idoma and Benue State people, but the entire Nigeria in different capacities nationally and internationally due his capacity and patriotism.
The Paramount ruler declared that he would never standby and watch any of his subjects to be disgraced out of office by his fellow brothers or sisters, narrating the FUHSO ordeal as rubicon for mischief makers who fight their leaders unjustly for their personal aggrandizements.
Dr. Elaigwu eulogized the genuine contributions of Prof Ujah to the development of FUHSO from nothing to this enviable heights, praying for higher position of authority for him in the nearest future .
The Och’Idoma admonished all those that aided the needless crisis in the University to tender unreserved apologies accordingly and repent to avoid the law of karma.
Professor Ujah was the pioneer Vice Chancellor when the University took off at the Otada campus and the construction of permanent site in Akwete-Akpa which concurrently includes construction of the College of Medicine, adjudged to be the best in Nigeria; Senate and Administrative building; Principal Officers quarters; Physics and Biological departments and Students’ hostel were all nearing completion among others.
