This year’s Annual General Conference (AGC) was quite eventful and the theme was Technology in Medicine; implications for healthcare in Nigeria. The sub-theme was Medical Entrepreneurship/Medical Tourism: Reversing the flow. The opening ceremony was anchored live by the Channels television between the hours of 12  noon to 2:30 pm on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Many dignitaries and their representatives graced the occasion.

 

The Prof Ogirima-led NOC went ahead to invite the Nigerian doctors practising in the Diaspora and they were allowed to present their good messages on the live TV programme, during the Opening Ceremony. Many of them from the UK, USA, Canada, Japan and et cetera were allowed to speak and to make their useful contributions during the opening ceremony. The Annual event was declared open by the Cross River state governor, represented by his deputy,Prof Ivara Esu. The governor,Prof Ben Ayade, did everything to attend the programme but was tied down by the Nigerian Governors meeting  holding on the same day.

The NOC went ahead to drag one of her own down to Calabar. He was no other person than the Senate Committee Chairman on Health, Senator (Dr )Lanre Tejuosho, a medical doctor and a prince of the dynasty of His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, CON, Karunwi III, Oranmiyan, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba and Olori Adetoun Tejuoso and also a grand son to the first female industrialist in Nigeria Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso. 

 

He represents Ogun Center in the current 8th National Assembly. His handsomeness can only be compared to the biblical Absalom. In fact, one of the moderators during the dinner, my very own Dr Henry Ewunonu, could not hide his own observation when he stated that the womenfolk should be allowed to decide on the distinguished senator’s handsomeness. The distinguished senator was thereafter presented with an award during the dinner held on Saturday, April 29th ,2017 at Venetian Arena Calabar.

 

The current NOC has equally recorded massive achievements  in the area of publicity as members are now aware of the happenings in the health sector. This is no more time for any other healthcare professionals to get obnoxious bill against medical doctors as it happened in 2003 which is still a subject of litigation in various law courts. 

 

The NMA and her affiliates are well represented in any public hearing requiring our attention. The programme is well publicised among the members to enable the presenters to be well prepared. Through various social media accounts, inputs from members towards the betterment of the association are well received. This administration does not hide her support for the struggles by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) aimed at protecting the future of this noble association. 

 

The dinner got electrified when an award was presented to our own Dr Osahon Enabulele, before reading his citation, the presenter pleaded with us to allow him summarise Dr Enabulele’s  32-paged citation because Dr Enabulele needed no introduction among not only the medicals doctors but also every other healthcare professionals globally.

He has traversed all areas of human endeavors including partisan politics hence the traditional ruler at the event who presented the award to him first touch him to confirm that Dr Osahon was not a spirit. 

 

Thereafter, the senator declared the 57th AGC closed after participants were entertained with sumptuous meals on Saturday the 29th of April 2017.