The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA); Anambra State Chapter on June 21, 2023 elected Dr Chidiebere Ugoo Ezeanowai as the new Chairman of the Association.
The election which was conducted at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka had a large turnout of Optometrists from different parts of Anambra State and even beyond.
The election was conducted by the Vice President of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA),South East;Dr Oluchi Isiodu who acted as the returning officer and the electoral committee chairman for the election,while Dr Ijeoma Alozie assisted her in the capacity as the Electoral committee Secretary during the conduct of the election.
At the end of the voting processes, Dr Chidiebere Ezeanowai succeeded Dr Chigozie Umeh;who is the outgoing Chairman of the Association as the new Chairman of NOA Anambra.
Other members of the executives,who were elected alongside the new Chairman of the State’s Association include:Dr Ngozi Lovelyn Onuba(Vice Chairperson),Dr Vivian Edozie(Secretary),Dr JohnBosco Ehirim(Assistant Secretary General),Dr Clara Okeke(Financial Secretary),Dr Uche Umeche(Treasurer),Dr Chisom Ifeanyi-Nwimo(Publicity Secretary and Welfare Officer).
It was indeed a history making election as majority of the elected Officers are young and vibrant Optometrists who are indeed determined to move the State’s Association to a greater height.
In his acceptance Speech,Dr Chidiebere thanked the entire members of the association,who came out en masse to see to the success of the State’s election.
He thanked the elders of the association who gave their unprecedented supports and as well ensured that the elections were conducted peacefully and in a fair manner.
He promised to act painstakingly on his vision which he tagged the YOU vision; meaning the Young,the Old and a United Optometrists.
According to him,the vision is to Rekindle the zeal of all the Younger Optometrists in the State, Revitalise the energy of all the Older Optometrists still practising in the state and thereby reinvigorating the synergy that will bring about growth from the Unity of both the younger and the Older Optometrists.
The Nigerian Optometric Association is the umbrella association that represents all the registered Doctors of Optometry both in the Private and public Sectors in Nigeria.
Founded in 1968,NOA currently has more than 4000 Doctors of Optometry it is representing across the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja.
NOA as a body represents other Optometric interest groups in Nigeria.
The Association is an affiliate member of the African Council of Optometry (AFCO) and the World Council of Optometry (WCO).
Other bodies and groups which exist under NOA include The Association of Optometric Educators(AOE),The Women Optometrists in Nigeria (WON),The Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care in Nigeria (AOPHCN) and the Nigerian Optometric Students Association(NOSA)