Okonkwo Samuel
By Kamen Chuks Ogbonna.
When the Corona pandemic that took the world by storm berthed in Nigeria, practically every household was gripped by fear of the unknown occasioned by a state of uncertainty that was unprecedented in the history of mankind . The alarming tension soaked ambiance and unease
was made even more pronounced by the fact that the world had never witnessed such degree of health pandemic that defied medical solution even from the developed Nations that hitherto prided themselves as demi gods when it comes to scientific exploits and prowess .
Such was the situation in Nigeria amidst a govt declared total lockdown when the Distinguished Senator Ubah driven by his now renowned passion for humanity rose to the occasion by sending out a heart rending rallying call on his friends and associates mostly those of Anambra extraction to join him and deliver three standard and state of the art hospitals and isolation centres that will cater to both the poor, the middle class and the rich in the society especially as medical tourism also became an impossibility.
He led from the front by making an initial personal donation of 3million Naira
For the first time in history men and women of means who has excelled in different walks of life harkened to the clarion call by the capacity Senator , came together in two wattsap platforms , set for themselves a minimum contribution of one million Naira each and set to work.
As at date , a total sum of 343 Million Naira has been raised by less than 300 people mostly Ndi Anambra from almost all the towns and local govts in Anambra State ….yes , think of two or three wealthy men in your village , atleast one of them is a member of the progressives…….
From my participation in the virtual meetings via zoom that were held almost every week by the members of the progressives were they come together to review activities concerning the building and plan the medical equipments to import , I made a discovery that gladdened my heart .
Ndi Anambra nwelu Mmadu
Medical experts( In various fields of medicine) that has excelled for many years practising medicine in Foreign Nations all Ndi Anambra weighed in during these meetings with wonderful innovations that will ensure these hospitals with inbuilt isolation centres when operational are world-class in service delivery
This collective effort by the group now known as Anambra progressives has today culminated in wonderful structures standing in Nnewi and in Awka . A third one which unfortunately is still at the foundation level in Nzugbe got stalled because the state govt seized the opportunity of facility being located inside the state controlled college of Education Nzugbe and started making outlandish demands on the progressives and this in turn has stalled the development of the Hospital unlike the two others in Nnewi and Awka which are located inside the Federal owned Nnamdi Azikiwe Azikiwe teaching Hospital Nnewi and Nnamdi Azikiwe University respectively.
By mid-day, day before yesterday, the Senator accompanied by some members of the progressives set out on an inspection tour of the facility in Nnewi accompanied by members of the fourth realm, the press .
The contingent arrived the site of the edifice to an atmosphere of wonder and awe…..
The passion , thrill and occasional smile of satisfaction that usually accompanies that feeling that indeed you have done well for your people was the look that I kept seeing whenever I took a glance on the face of the distinguished Senator while the facilty tour lasted .
Yesterday, came the turn of Awka and off we went to inspect the ongoing Hospital project there .
Accompanied by some members of the progressives some of whom came home from Lagos and Abuja soley for this purpose , we all set out for Nnamdi Az9kiwe University (The permanent site) location of the rapidly upcoming hospital
The sight that we beheld on arrival was better seen than narrated .
No one will ever believe that the gigantic and imposing structure that stood before us was conceived in March this year and is less than four months old .
The combined look of satisfaction,joy and awe on the faces of both the progressives members(including the Senator) ,the friends of the Senator and the crowd on site was a sight to behold.
The saying that indeed anything worth doing is worth doing well came to mind at this juncture
I cast my mind to the current situation that we have in Anambra where the only thing close to an isolation centre we have is one sorry sight of a three bedroom structure and I realised that indeed our people have so many reasons to be thankful to God for using Ebubechukwuzo to render succour to them
The mere thought of the great number of our people whose lives will be positively impacted once this hospital become a fully operational in a few weeks time gives me that great feeling of fulfilment so much so that i am indeed happy to be associated wirh this good natured and humane principal
That this visit today is already reverberating in the nooks and crannies of the state is a testament to the fact that indeed a huge problem is about to be lifted off the shoulders of our people.
Some of the state of the art equipments imported from abroad are already in the country and on standby for installation
Two modern ambulances fully equipped with state of the art medical facilities installed are also already on standby for service delivery.
This noble venture will go down in history as an epoch making event once commissioned and fully operational and all those involved will surely reap huge divine results courtesy of the prayers of both the would be patients and those that will also be provided with various forms of employment when the Hospital comes into operation.
Indeed Ndi Anambra Progressives made up of businessmen , professionals in various fields including highly trained doctors both in diaspora and in Nigeria has set a new and enviable record in the history of the state and has practically put a lie to the fake notion that Ndi igbo do not like themselves
On the contrary, igbos love themselves and are highly keen when it comes of matters that has to do with their brothers welfare.
The only factor missing all these while especially with the demise of late Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has been a rallying point trusted enough to galvanize them to action
This yawning Lacuna is what Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has stepped up to fill and the response from our people was massive and unprecedented ,a daring statement of fact that says ….this is our son in whom we trust and are well pleased
May God bless Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and his friends (The Anambra progressives) as we look forward to.the day of commissioning of the impressive and laudable projects which has already been slated to take place in a few weeks time
[Daily News Reporters]
