Benue group to honour FUHSO Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Ujah

The Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM) will hold a Grand Reception in honour of the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, and President, Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Innocent Ujah, on May 6, 2021, at Abuja.

AVM Monday Morgan, the National Coordinator of BRM, said the event will also be used for the launch of a N2billion Appeal Fund for the development of special Projects in Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C).

Another highlight of the occasion is the presentation of commendation awards to deserving Zone C personalities, including Senator David Mark, former Senate President; Chief Audu Ogbe, former Minister of Agriculture; Arch. Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education; and Senator Abba Moro ( Benue South).

According to a statement signed by Joseph Ode, BRM Media Relations Officer on behalf of the National Cootdinator, the reception is a celebration of the achievements of Prof. Ujah who is one of the illustrious sons of Idoma in Benue State. The reception is expected to bring together the colleagues, friends and well wishers of the icon of the medical profession from across the globe as well as all the leading lights of Zone C of Benue State resident in Nigeria and around the world to identify with the erute Professor and the noble cause being pursued by BRM.

Professor Innocent Achanya Otobo UJAH was born 66 years ago at Aidogodo-Okpoga in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.

He studied medicine at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and graduated with an MBBS degree in June 1978. Innocent Ujah is a scholar of international repute. He is a Fellow of Medical College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (FMCOG) of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), Fellow of International College of Surgeons (FICS), and also of the Royal Society of Medicine of England (FRSMed), Professor Innocent Ujah is an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy & strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos where he was a participant 25 year ago and was awarded the mni certificate. Prof Ujah is Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecological Surgeon of global recognition, As an academic, Professor Ujah can easily be described an all-rounder as he is also management expert having obtained a postgraduate in Diploma in Management (PGDM) from University of Jos with special interest in health services management in 1992.

Innocent Ujah had a steady career progression, having joined the services of the University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital in 1988 as lecturer/Consultant and got promoted to Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in 2001. He specializes in Gynaecological Endocrinologist and Endocrine Infertility as well as maternal health, with special emphasis on maternal mortality reduction. He holds a Diploma in International maternal Health Care from University of Uppsala, Sweden (1993) Professor Ujah has published widely and has over 120 scholarly articles in reputable national and International peer-reviewed Journals, conference papers; abstracts as well as lectures delivered both nationally and internationally.

Apart from his academic prowess, Professor Ujah has enviable administrative career and experience as he has held several administrative positions including; Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (1994-2000), member, Board of National Eye Centre, Kaduna (1991-1994), member, Medical Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN, 1990-1994, 2004-2007, 2009 to 2011, 2013 to 2015 and May 2020 to date.

He also served as Vice-Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) until its dissolution in 2015 and he is the longest serving medical practitioner on the Council with outstanding and enviable contributions to the advancement of the Council and the Medical Profession.

He also served as Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) Jos University Teaching Hospital (1996-1998); member, Governing Council, University of Jos (1997-1999); member, Steering and Implementation Committees for the establishment of College of Health Sciences, Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi (2000-2007); He also served as Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos from 2006-September 2008.

Professor Ujah has work experience at the United Nations when he worked with UNICEF as Health Officer in A-Field Office Enugu (2002-2003) and later, at the UNICEF National Office (UN House), Abuja (2003-2004) in the same capacity.

In April 2010, Professor Ujah was appointed Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba-Lagos by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He was re-appointed Director General for the second term of four years in April 2014, the position he held until 27th July, 2016 when he was disengaged after six years on national assignment. He returned to the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Jos to continue to teach, conduct research, provide clinical as well as community service and mentorship to the younger academics and clinicians

Professor Ujah, was appointed member of the Implementation Project Committee on the establishment of a new Teaching Hospital at Otukpo to complement Otukpo Campus College of Health Sciences of University of Agriculture, Makurdi by the then President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR which has been upgraded to Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHSO) since June 2019 and was appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University by President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR on 12th May 2020.

With the outbreak in July 2014 of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, Professor Ujah was appointed a Co-Chair of the Treatment Research Group (TRG) on Ebola Virus Disease and other infectious diseases. He was also appointed member of the Ministerial Lassa Fever Control Committee in February 2016.

He has been Consultant to many national and International organizations including, PATHS, SNR, HERFON, NACA, SFH, Health System 20/20 and Population Service International (PSI) on Reproductive Health.

Professor Ujah has spent over forty (40) years in the service of his profession in many capacities, including, 2nd Vice-President and 1st Vice President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) (1981-1985); 2nd Vive-President and 1st Vice-President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) (1992-1997); Secretary-General of Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) between 2005 and 2011. He has been a member of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) from 1990 to date, the year he was elected Chairman, Plateau State NMA. He has also been a member of Council of the Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) since 1993 to date. Professor Innocent Ujah, was elected President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on 30th May 2020.

Professor Ujah is a recipient of many honours/ awards including, Life Achievement award by Lagos Sector of Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) (2012); Distinguished son of Excellence by Idoma Forum Jos (2013); Honours Award by Faculty of Medical Sciences for Contributing to the establishment of College of Medical Sciences, University of Jos as Dean of Faculty (2013), Awards for Professional Excellence in the Health/Medical Sector Category by Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria(APBN) (2013), An award of Achiever par Excellence by the National Body of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Professor Ujah, was conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of Nigerian Medical Association (FNMA) at the Sokoto NMA AGC/ADM in April 2016 for his distinguished service to the Association. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (FNSEM). He was elected as a foundation Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine in 2019 and awarded FNAMed (2020).

Prof. Ujah is happily married to Francisca Oyibo Ujah and they are blessed with four children.