By Ijeoma John, Nnewi
The Management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Anambra has organised the 2026 Town Hall Meeting, themed, ‘Engaging the NAUTH Community. A Strategic Dialogue between the Governing Board, Management and Internal Stakeholders’.
The meeting, which was held on Tuesday, June 23 had in attendance NAUTH Board Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori and his entourage, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution , Prof. Joseph Ugboaja (OON), Barrister Chukwuemeka Stephen Okafor, the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Sen. Emma Anosike, Anambra State APC Chairman, Barrister Festus Fuanter, former Deputy National Secretary of APC, Prof. Ofiaeli, the former NAUTH CMD, Chief Olisa Metuh, Director of Organisation and Mobilisation in the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) for 2027 elections, fully represented by Prof. Edwin Chukwuma, Heads of Department/Unit, NAUTH Stakeholders, members of staff of the hospital, among others.
In his address, NAUTH CMD, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja said they are not only celebrating the Board Chairman’s visit but also celebrating God’s grace and favour upon them.
According to him, “Dalori’s second visit is remarkable because it is the first time he is coming after their struggle for a second tenure and also remarkable because the Board Chairman is going to enter his office, they furnished for him to befit his status”.
Ugboaja added that God has done an impossible for them, looking at where they started and the massive transformation of the hospital, noting that the coming of Hon. Dalori as NAUTH Board Chairman was divine.
He appraised the efforts of his management team in ensuring that their vision ‘ To be ranked among the top three tertiary hospitals in Nigeria by 2030 and ultimately to become the best hospital in Nigeria’ is achieved.
In his address, NAUTH Board Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori said when he was appointed the chairman by Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he was filled with fear based on the people he would see there being a small hospital, but overcame all the fears during his first working visit to the institution .
“what I saw during my first working visit, I was amazed with the big structures I saw there, courtesy of the working CMD Prof. Ugboaja and his management team.
I met motivated and committed staff of the hospital, who warmly welcomed me, indeed I was amazed” he remarked.
In actualization of the institution’s vision , Dalori disclosed they have completed most of the projects in the hospital, recruited enough staff, added many new modern equipment and trained additional staff.
“In all, our capacity and quality of care have improved greatly. I have been working closely with the CMD in actualization of our vision in 2030, which is to be the best hospital in Nigeria ” he said.
Dalori appreciated the CMD for his outstanding leadership quality and also the staff and management of NAUTH for the wonderful work they are doing in moving their great institution forward.
He further disclosed that he came to identify with their vision, mission, commitment and effort and to inquire about their welfare to know the areas he could be of help in making life easier for them, reiterating his commitment in assisting them in actualization of their vision.
He appreciated his Excellency, Mr. President for their completed projects and also the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo for assisting the hospital with two tarred roads for easy access to the hospital’s permanent site.
Dalori thanked the stakeholders, who have been assisting the hospital both as individuals and corporate entities in ensuring that its vision is achieved, urging them not to relent until they reach their destination.
He specifically thanked NNPC for donating MRI machine to the hospital.
Finally, he appreciated the management team of the hospital led by the CMD, a dynamic visionary leader for their sacrifice and the outstanding work they have been doing in ensuring that the institution meets its objective.
In their goodwill messages, Chief Dr. Emeka Okafor, Prof. Ofiaeli , Chief Olisa Metuh represented by Prof . Edwin Chukwuma, Sen. Anosike, President Association of Resident Doctors, Comrade Edochie on behalf of Health Centre Union (JOHESU) and other speakers, all commended the working CMD of NAUTH, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja and the Board Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori for their dedication in transforming the institution, prayed that God Almighty would continue to strengthen them for more work ahead.
