The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Dr. Obinna Awiaka as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) with effect from June 1, 2023.

ODORBN is the agency statutorily saddled with the responsibility of regulating the training and practice of Optometry and Dispensing Opticianry in Nigeria.

The approval, conveyed in a letter signed by the outgoing Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, was presented to Awiaka at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by the National Secretary, Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Dr. Victor Aliche, the Minister congratulated him for a well-deserved appointment, which was based on merit and urged him to see his appointment as a call to service.

Ekumankama charged the new registrar to focus on carrying all stakeholders along, reconciling and working harmoniously with all parties to move the agency forward, embrace innovation and seek ways of improving existing systems rather than reinventing the wheels. He expressed optimism that Awiaka will justify the confidence reposed in him by leaving indelible marks at the board.

In his response, Awiaka expressed gratitude to the president and the minister for finding him worthy to serve as registrar, while extolling the vision, passion and integrity of the minister whom he saw as a model for public officers.

He commended the minister on his workaholic nature and style of leadership, as well as for his ability to spot the best of hands to work with him at the ministry as reflected in the caliber of work force surrounding the ministry.

The newly appointed registrar, promised to serve with diligence and to improve on his predecessor’s achievements, while breaking new grounds. Awiaka, a seasoned administrator and an astute entrepreneur, obtained his Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from University of Benin in 1999.

He started his professional career with the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Ojo, Lagos and has over 23 years of professional experience spanning across both private and public sector engagements.

An alumnus of the Lagos Business School and a fellow of NOA, he is widely travelled and possesses a repertoire of 21st century industry-leading information and skills needed for transformational leadership and management.

Until his appointment, he was the Chief Executive Officer, Eyemasters Limited and also the President, NOA, an umbrella body of over 5,000 doctors of optometry in Nigeria.

In this later capacity, his administration has made unprecedented strides; including initiating and completing the acquisition and commissioning of the first fully owned national secretariat of the association in Abuja.