By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy
Following the risen differences among members of National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practictioners,NANTMP Ebonyi State chapter, on Saturday 15th May,2021 held it’s state election with Rev.Dr Samuel Ezenyi and Chief Augustine Ekechi emerging as chairmen respectively.
The election was simultaneously held at Women Development Center and People’s Club in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
Speaking shortly after the result declaration of the first election by the electoral Committe Chairman,Uche Umeh, the newly elected chairman, Rev Dr. Samuel Ezenyi commended the electoral body for the successful electioneering and described the exercise as the most peaceful,free and fairest in the recent past.
The newly elected state chairman,Dr Ezenyi thanked the state governor Engr David Umahi and the health Commissioner,Dr. Daniel Umezuruike for giving them fair ground and pledged to continue supporting the developmental policies of the state government.
Lending his voice, the national vice president South East zone, Nze Dr Okwudili Umezude, appreciated Reverend Ezenyi new executive and charged him to run all inclusive and open door policy.
Those who emerged as executive are: Chief Dr Sunday Iduma-Vice Chairman, Dr Paul Ubani-Secretary, Ambassador Dr Stella Amadi-Treasurer, Chief Dr Queen Nwokoro-Assistant Secretary, Dr Christian Ikema-Financial Secretary, Dr Chinedu Opoke as Publicity Secretary,Dr Ezaka Ujebe as International Auditor among others.
In a similar vein,Chief Augustine Ekechi led faction which held at Women Development Center experience low turnout of members where he successfully emerged as the state chairman with twenty nine votes.
Chief Ekechi was elected unopposed as his supposed stronger contender Reverend Doctor Ezenyi Samuel and supporters were seen carrying same exercise at different venue, even as the third contestant Dr. Ifeanyi Onyibe polled only three votes.
Other executives includes Dr. Obasi Elijah Ogbonna Vice Chairman, Dr. Augustine Ajah Ekuma Secretary, Dr. Enyinnaya Kalu Assistant Secretary.
Others are Dr. Awoke Erem Finical Secretary and Dr. Omekagu Okochukwu as Intrrnal Auditor.
The chairman of the electoral committee Dr. Augustine Ude Alo who announced the result told newsmen that an open ballot system was adopted in the election. He said the election was free, fair and credibly conducted.
He advised the newly elected executives to maintain high level of Democratic system of leadership which aimed at working together and carrying everybody along to attain the set objectives of the association in the State.
The electoral officer, who formerly was the Secretary of the Association in Abia State, called on Ebonyi State Government to provide department of socio- health care system to the Association in the various hospital facilities in the state to improve their operation especially taking care of prostrate conditions including HIV & AIDS, stroke among other diseases.
On his part, the State Commissioner for health Dr. Daniel Umezuruike represented by the Director of Medical services in the Ministry Dr. Alike Charles thanked the electoral committees for the peaceful conduct of the election, describing it as free and fair.
Doctor Umezuruike charged the people to work in unison and discharge their duties efficiently while assuring the Ministry partnership to enable them thrive.
However, the Commissioner called on the Association to adhere strictly to all the policies and programmes of the State Government and urged them to shun indulging any act capable of jeopardizing the image of the association.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security, Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolution Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha represented by Igurube Ifeanyi Martins commended the State Governor Engr. David Umahi for given the members of the association the level playground and also for allowing them to elect their choice of leaders.
He further appreciated them for coming together and enjoined them to partner with the State Government to ensure security of lives and property in the State.
In an interview, the newly elected chairman in the State Dr. Augustine Ekechi said he was overwhelmed over the peaceful conduct of the election and extolled the State Governor Engr. David Umahi, the Electoral committees, Commissioner for Health and his counterpart of Internal security for given them the much needed support which gave the election a huge success.
He thanked his members for given him the opportunity to serve and assured never to disappoint them as his adminstration would be accord on an open door policy and inclusive governance in their own interest.
He called for strong synergy between members of the association and Medical Doctors in the State to improve the health status of the residents of the State and pledged for their unflinching support to the present adminstration ably led by pragmatic Engr. David Nweze Umahi to move the State forward while praying God to lift him to the higher position in their nearest future.
Others who spoke including Dr Agnes Ominyi Okah,Woman Leader, Dr Josephine Onyike-, Welfare Officer 1 and Dr Godwin Onwe, ex offical, thanked God for bringing traditional medicine Practitioners closer to the government and pledged sincere support as to Umahi led administration.
The event was witnessed by security agents and executive members from the zone.
