Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Chief Ben Etiaba, Founder, Ethical Leadership Centre, Enugu, says the South-East zone needs visionary leaders to transform the region and make it the best in Nigeria.
He said this in Enugu, Enugu State, at a Dinner organised in honour of Professor Joseph Ugboaja, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH).
The event chaired by former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, had many dignitaries in attendance including Mr Amobi Ezeaku, General Manager Rangers International Football Club of Enugu.
He noted that the issues the region and country were currently facing could disappear if there were right leaders to address them frontally.
According to him, the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara, demonstrated servant and visionary leadership which Ugboaja and Ezeaku represent.
Etiaba, a renowned Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant, added that Ugboaja and Ezeaku were two great leaders to watch in the future in Igboland.
He noted that things work well in countries where people respect and practice meritocracy.
According to him, the moment the zone began to select the best among them to lead the rest, the better for the South-East.
“But if we continue in this pulling one another down syndrome, things will continue going wrong in our society.
“I am worried about Nigeria and South-East because things are not going the way they should.
“In Igboland in the last few months, we have lost a good number of leaders but when I looked around this gathering and see participants, I know there is hope that tomorrow will be better than today,” Etiaba said.
He, however, extolled Ugboaja and management of NAUTH for transforming the hospital in few years of their leadership which he said was now a tourist destination and attraction.
Responding, Ugboaja called on Igbos, who held national leadership positions to use it to develop and advance Igboland.
“This is exactly what we are doing at NAUTH to ensure that public institutions are functioning in Nigeria and with the right legacy, motivation and strategies public institutions can work.
“What is needed is dedicated and visionary leaders who are genuinely interested in developing the South-East for the benefits of all,” he said.
He said that, NAUTH has been in existence for 30 years before his administration came and started its transformation
“I built the permanent site of the hospital and our vision is to be ranked among the top 3 hospitals in Nigeria,” Ugboaja said.
