The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria over the weekend got a new president in the person of Mrs Elizabeth Balogun, the chief Radiographer at the National Orthopadic hospital Igbobi Lagos. 

 

A new executive/ council members also emerged at the weekend with investitures for new fellows also done.

 

Mrs Elizabeth Balogun who is the 6th Female president of the ARN while delivering her innaugural speech promised to focus on a membership drive and ridding the profession of quackery in partnerhsip with the adiographers Registration board of Nigeria. Find below the text of the innaugural speech by the president of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria which held in lagos

 

PROTOCOL: It is my pleasure addressing this august occasion as President of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria and the chief servant of this profession. We are not making history but we are rather a product of history.

 

I salute all past presidents in the house especially the immediate past president who has made this day a reality.

 

Those who know me will know that I rarely struggle to find something to say but, as I am sure my predecessors will confirm, it is hard to put into words the honour and the privilege one feels at taking this office as president of the association of Radiographers of Nigeria and the responsibility which comes with it, responsibility to our members, responsibility to this great association and, more widely, responsibility to society generally.

 

Having served as an office holder, as National Secretary, I have seen at first hand the incredible work and dedication which my predecessors put into this role which I hope to emulate and by the grace of God surpass it.

 

I am the sixth elected female President and number six is the number of Man and all the associated intricacies. The number also connotes sacrifices to a fault. Putting the above together means great but challenging times for us all.

 

The mandate given to us during the conference in Kano is huge. I therefore call on Radiographers home and abroad to come and be a common factor to our success. Without you there will be no Executives.

 

By tradition each new president identifies areas of work to throw their weight - and that of the association - behind. These are by no means exhaustive, and of course there is much business as usual, but I would like to use this opportunity to speak about three of them in particular. Those three are, firstly Membership drive, throwing our full weight behind our board as she fights quackery and lastly erecting for ourselves a secretariat on our land where the seat of power is…..Abuja. I will go into the detail of each, but to pause for a moment on what binds all three together. It is a wish and a willingness to improve the experience of individuals and organizations and also a desire to enhance the appreciation and influence of the Radiography profession.

 

On that last point we are, despite what some may say, a naturally modest profession. We rarely as a group take credit for the things which we do but, if you look at any medical community, it is the Radiographers who are its beating heart (eye of medicine), whether in private practice or in-house. Their diagnostic and therapeutic contributions in basic x-rays and the high technologically driven procedures such as Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, and cancer treatment the list goes on

 

 

1. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The association allows for student, ordinary, honorary, life and fellows in its membership cadre. All these we shall explore not just because of dues but because we are professionals. The profession allows for mentorship and guidance which is needful for success. We are all in this profession today because our predecessors saw a better future and established this association which has given birth to Radiography training in our universities as well as a regulatory body that we are so proud of. The act that sets up our regulatory board only allows for registration of Radiographers based on the recommendation by this association, This is a huge responsibility that we owe all our fresh graduates and those that will renew their annual license to practice.

However, as your president, I promise to be reachable as I will have an open door policy for all. I promise to reach out to all members even in the remotest of places, so we can all have a sense of belonging. 

The welfare of our members shall be the utmost and we shall give you value for your commitment to the association

Equality, diversity and inclusion are absolutely at the forefront of this association’s work, interwoven in all that we do. Our profession must reflect international standards and draw talent from each and every part. Social inclusion and mobility are currently in the spotlight. I am proud of the progress we have made over the last decades but do not in any way shy away from the task ahead, for there is much still to accomplish.

 

2. RADIOGRAPHERS REGISTRATION OF NIGERIA (RRBN)

We shall work together with the Radiographers Registration board of Nigeria to rid our society of quackery and indiscreet dispensation of ionizing radiation.

I, therefore call on all levels of government and policy makers to rid our hospitals of professional corruptions where end users (Radiographers) will have a say on the purchase of Radiographic equipment’s.

 

This will bring a lasting solution to equipment breakdown in our hospitals and foster good team work where the patient is the ‘king’

 

3. ARN SECRETARIAT IN ABUJA

As most of us are aware, we have a land situate in Bwari in the federal capital territory in Abuja. We sure need a befitting secretariat on it. This is a project that is very dear to my heart. It is possible when we all see it as our project. For our colleagues who have done their bit for us to acquire the land, I say thank you. But, there is yet a great work ahead of us. There is already a committee in plce who will drive these. Lets all support them by leaving a legacy behind for the coming generations.

 

I am looking forward to the next 3 years. This council year is a marathon which each president knows must be treated as a sprint. I conclude with Kipling's words, as my commitment to this profession, to fill each unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run.

 

Thank you.

Once again I say thank you to all our guests and sisters associations who has graced this occasion with their presence.

 

Elizabeth Balogun (DIR, BSc, MSc, FARN)

President

Association of Radiographers of Nigeria

 

BY Sule Joshua J. National PRO, The ARN, Nigeria