Deputy Minority Leader of the House of representatives and Member representing Anniri/Awgu/Orji River federal constituency Hon. Toby Okechukwu on Thursday bagged an Award of excellence from Pharmacy Departmentof the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla for Outstanding services to the institution.
The CMD of the teaching hospital Dr Obinna Onodugo conferred the award on him on behalf of the pharmacy department during the ground breaking ceremony of the pharmacy house which was attracted by Hon. Toby Okechukwu.
He praised the lawmaker’s giant strides in the provision of amenities in his constituency as well as outstanding representation for his people.
“The people of Anniri, Awgu and Orji River constituency are indeed blessed for having such a young, dynamic, resourceful, accessible and responsive gentleman as their Representatives .
“The ground breaking of the pharmacy house, we are doing today is the first of its kind in Nigeria and was attracted by Honourable Toby and he has been at the top making sure the project continues and completed” he said
Onodugo during the presentaion of the award said the the pharmacy and the entire teaching hospital have seen his vibrancy, “and today we found him worthy to be conferred with the award of excellence in outstanding services he has rendered and still rending to the institution
Responding, Hon. Toby Okechukwu who highlighted how he came about attracting the pharmacy house building said it was as a result of work well done by the department of pharmacy during the era of Covid-19 pandemic, when they produced a very good covid sanitizer for him and it was tested and trusted so he then believed that if they are given more opportunities, they would produce other things that can be of help to all.
“It is to create an enabling environment for the pharmacists to pratice their trade and to contribute to the Community.
“More importantly, my expectations is that they get involved in most of the activities they promised like the Conferencing, hospitality, and manufacturing that they will be able to employ people .
“The only thing I require from them is to get my people gainfully engaged because we are doing this essentially for job creation. That is the only way you can sustainably employ young people by establishing outfits that can keep them busy” he stated
He also appreciated the CMD of the teaching hospital, describing him as a labour man who is always ready to work, he stated that Dr Onodugo demonstrated his labour qualities by consulting all the stakeholders he needed to consult and sought for their help, that is what is yielding this progress today in the hospital.
Speaking during the ground breaking , Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the National president of pharmaceuticals Society of Nigeria thanked Hon. Okechukwu who he said God has used to attract this great project to the institution.
“I thank Hon. Okechukwu whom God has used to attract this significant project to this great institution , indeed they say when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice, that is why we are rejoicing today.
“This Pharmacy house is a significant one and first of its kind in Nigeria.This is where the pharmacists will exhibit and demonstrate all the country has invested in this category of profession.
“This, he also stated, will be an opportunity to create additional income to supply other services to the hospital and demonstrate pharmaceutical care to their patients , to interract with patients as to know which drugs to use” he stated.
Dignitaries present at the event were the CMD of UNTH Dr Obinna Onodugo, Tha National president pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa,
The representative of Vice Chancellor of UNN, Professor Nwagha the Provost of college of medicine, Heads of departments, The Dean of faculty of medicine Cajetan Chigozie Onyedum, The state Secretary of PDP Chief cletus akalusi, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, former Commissioner for information Enugu state, Chief Barr . Eze O. Eze former permanent secretary Government house Enugu. Chief Ralph Onovo aide to former Deputy Senate president, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, former Commissioner for special duties Chief Uche Anioke, Chief Egwuonwu Obasi, former secretary Awgu local government , Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, President General Ohanaeze youth council worldwide.
