THE management of Verbatim magazine, an Abuja-based fortnightly published by former editors defunct Newswatch, on Sunday, April 8, announced Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, the vice-chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, as guest speaker of the 2018 edition of Verbatim magazine’s annual lecture and awards scheduled for Thursday, April 26, 2018 at NICON luxury, Abuja.

At a ceremony to be chaired by Adolf Wabara, a former Senate president, Verbatim magazine stated in the press release jointly signed by TobsAgbaegbu and Ibrahim Modibbo, the magazine’s editor-in-chief and chairman, Board of Editors of editors respectively, that the lecture which the VC of UNN would deliver would focus on science and technology issues titled: “In the name of Science, Technology and Global Best Practices : Pathways to Nigeria’s Growth and Development’.’

Verbatim management stated that the VC would be expected to draw from his experience as a professor of medicine and his success story as a university administrator, to explain how Nigeria, as a nation with immense potentials and large work force, could experience rapid grow and develop through science, research and the application of best practices in technology.

The magazine explained that Ozumba is a worthy choice for the lecture given his credible academic credentials and more than 30 years of professional and administrative experience.

The statement said: ‘’Verbatim editors were pleased with the choice of Professor Ozume,the UNNVC as candidate for this year’s annual leadership lecture.His credentials speakeleoquently of the stuff he is made of,’’ adding: ‘’Professor Ozumba has over thirty years of professional and administrative experience with considerable knowledge of project planning and management gained both in academia and the wider industrial sector. He is an established researcher of international repute with numerous publications in Gynaecology, Oncology, General Surgery, Abortion/Reproductive System, Maternal and Fetal Medicine etc. He is the author of a number of books and an editorial member of several journals. He has also held several national and international appointments, chaired a number of national committees and contributed immensely in the improvement of university education in Nigeria.’’

The magazine further stated that the UNN VC had received a number of national and international awards and honours including the Swedish Anders Fredrik Regnell Award for the break-through study in hypertension, diabetes and obesity; Distinguished Service Award from the President, International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine from England and Takemi, Fellow, International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, in recognition of his work and contribution in the field of medicine.

Verbatim also stated that Ozumba had been responsible for several initiatives including: the introduction of graduate Doctor of Medicine, MD, degree in clinical departments of the College of Medicine, the first of its kind, east of the Niger and facilitating the initiation and accreditation of the first Faculty of Dentistry in Eastern and Northern Nigeria, by the National Universities Commission. Through his charity work, Ozumba has established an NGO responsible for conduction of free medical outreach programme for the treatment of rural communities in Nigeria.

The magazine further stated that the 2018 edition of Verbatim annual lecture and awards would be a big and unique   event where four eminent professors and serving  governor would feature as key award winners on account of their exhibition of excellence in public service in their various fields of endeavour.

“The professors include the Minister of Health,  Professor Isaac Adewole,  the Vice Chancellors of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, ABU;,  Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri,  the guest lecturer, the VC of UNN and Professor Yahaya Yero, executive chairman SUBEB, Bauchi state..

“Former Governor of Sokoto State, AliyuWamakko, now senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, House of Representative members, Nnanna Igbokwe and Jones Onyereri, as well as the Speaker of Anambra State  House of Assembly, Barrister (Mrs) Rita Maduagwu; HannatuAdamuFika, Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, FGSHLB, and Emeka Inyama, chairman of  Abia Warriors Football Club, will also receive awards for excellence in service at the ceremony,” the release said.

– Apr. 9, 2018 @ 14:55 GMT |

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