Barely 5 days after the demise of Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu former Commissioner for Health, had the Executive Governor of Enugu State sworn in an Associate Professor of Public Health Medicine, Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, as the new commissioner.
During the swearing-in ceremony held today at the Government House, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said, “the compelling need to re-establish commanding leadership for the State’s Health Care System in the face of the escalating Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, necessitated the urgent replacement of our deceased Commissioner for Health”.
He further added that Prof. Obi’s confirmation by the Enugu State House of Assembly was conveyed in a letter dated 9th April 2020 with reference No. HA/5/CHA/11/VOL.1V/146.
Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, a native of Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State was until his appointment a Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla Campus, where he served as Senior Special Adviser to the Chief Medical Director and Head of the Project and Partnerships Management Office.
While congratulating Obi on his appointment, Gov. Ugwuanyi charged him to bring into the Ministry of Health his expertise as health care of the people is paramount especially as regards the coronavirus pandemic.
Responding, Associate Prof. Obi expressed his gratitude to the Governor for finding him worthy to serve the State in the capacity of a Commissioner for Health. He then pledged to carry out his duties with all diligence and to the best of his ability.
