An Ophthalmologist, Dr Chima Edoga has emerged the new state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Enugu State in a peaceful election described as a new visita in the effort to reposition the medical profession in the state.

Edoga, polled 126 votes from the 130 votes cast by members in the electronically conducted election.

Returning Officer in the election, Dr Arinze Nwosu had announced that a total of 822 members were qualified to vote in the election, adding however, that 236 members attempted to vote but only 130 members succeeded in voting between the time of 10am to 2pm , allowed for the online process as stipulated in the guidelines of the association.

He also announced other elected officials as Ozor Christian Chiemeka (Deputy Chairman); Forchu Ogochukwu (Secretary); Enweani Onyekachi (Treasurer); Uzorechi Malachy (Social Secretary); Anigbanmkpu Solomon Obiadi (Assistant Secretary); and Chiamaka Maryrose Ebisir (Financial Secretary).

Speaking shortly after taking his oath of office at the Secretariat of the association in New Haven, Enugu, Edoga stated that the peaceful conduct of the election was an indication that the medical practitioners were ready to restore the dignity of the profession.

He stressed the new executive was open to suggestions, explaining that their desire was to advance the cause of the profession from where they inherited it.

“The leadership of the medical profession is not about turn by turn. It is about capacity and desire to do good and provide service. We have a mountain that we need to scale through and cruckade parts that we need to strengthen.

“In doing so, we need the cooperation of everyone. We need to work to ensure the realisation of the dream of Enugu state government in making Enugu a medical tourist state. This we will do not forgetting the welfare of our members and the unity and promotion of our association”, he stated

Turning to the immediate past leadership of the association, he praised them for the resilience and sacrifices that had advanced the course of the association and promised to double efforts to give the chapter the desired prominence.

Edoga particularly praised the immediate chairman, Dr Sunday Okafor for midwifing a successful tenure, election and peaceful handover, as well as moving the association to a brand new secretariat.

“We will try and raise the bar higher than where we inherited it. We depend totally on the grace of God. We have weathered storm and it is God that has given us grace. We will respond to the yearnings of our state. We are here to serve and in the next two years when we will be handing over, we shall have an impressive scorecard to present to our people “, he assured.

He appreciated the elders of the profession in the state, while calling on their members in the diaspora to join hands to help his leadership succeed.

Speaking, Board Chairman of the association, Prof Samuel Ohaegbulam, expressed gratitude for the peaceful election band handover process.

He particularly charged the new executive to work hard to restore the integrity of the profession.

Ohaegbulam promised to continue to support the association, even as he called on the members to volunteer useful advise that could advance the course of the body.

Immediate past chairman, Dr Sunday Okafor said the past two years had added to his experience in the practice, and thanked all those who supported his administration.

He promised to continue to provide support to the new leadership as well as serve in any other responsibility that they may deem necessary.

From Left: Newly elected Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Chima Edoga and other Executive members taking oath of office shortly after their election in Enugu, yesterday.