•Nkata Chuku donates medical centre to Veritas varsity
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Veritas University, Abuja, on December 7, took delivery of a brand new medical centre built and furnished for the school and its host community by a medical doctor and health economist, Nkata Nwani Chuku.
The medical centre located at the main campus of the school in Bwari, Abuja, was built by the Ebonyi-born philanthropist, to meet the needs of health-seeking staff and students, as well as the university’s host community.
Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, led the activities, including Holy Mass, that culminated in the commissioning of the medical centre. The facility was named after the donor.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong; public health experts, officials of the school led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Micheal Sasa; students, and several other friends, family, and well-wishers, attended the event.
Indigenes of Okposi community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, the home stead of the benefactor, Chuku, resident in Abuja and its environs, came in the numbers. Some of them also flew in from the east and Lagos.
Inaugurating the medical centre, Cardinal Onaiyekan commended the donor for such a thoughtful idea, that would impact directly on the lives people.
He challenged other well-to-do people to emulate Chuku and participate in ventures that will strengthen the health and education systems of Nigeria, thereby securing a better Nigeria for posterity.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Pate, who was represented by the National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, extolled the donor for contributing to the advancement of education and health in Nigeria.
He said: “This facility is an important milestone for Veritas University. The intervention obviously demonstrated your commitment to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of the university’s students and staff, as well as its host community.
“Having known you for over a decade, I must say that I am not surprised, but impressed with how you have remained consistent in your passion for improving access to healthcare, human and community development, and your remarkable personal and professional growth.
“A key manifestation of leadership is the transition from seeking self-welfare to impacting the lives of others and the communities we live in and associate with. This is an attribute you have consistently demonstrated over the years that I have known you, and I am indeed very proud of you.”
Encomium also came from the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, who was represented by his deputy, Monsignor Micheal Sasa. He recalled how the idea of the medical centre was conceived by the donor, and efforts and resources he mobilised to ensure that the construction and furnishing of the facility was successful.
“As you may know, our College of Medicine has taken off. The first set of students admitted into this programme are now in their second year. The students are doing exceptionally well. I am thankful to the pioneer Provost of the College, Prof. Titus Chukwuanukwu and his team for the great job they are doing in laying a solid foundation for these set of students.
“Obviously, we are expanding rapidly, and some investors have indicated interest in several things we are doing including the construction of the new teaching hospital that will serve as a training place for our students. However, this intervention by Dr. Nkata is a very big and good addition to our effort to build quality human resources and structures for Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
In his remarks, the highly elated donor, said the idea for the project was conceived in 2019 when he visited the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ichoku, who is a friend and fellow health economist.
Chuku said: “During the visit, we observed that the university only had a health post. We encouraged the Vice Chancellor to prioritise the establishment of a medical centre that can adequately cater to the staff and students, especially given the distance of the university away from Abuja city.
“The Vice Chancellor warmly received the suggestion and linked us up with the university’s architect with whom we worked to develop the initial designs for the centre. A fund-raising committee was raised to reach out to colleagues, friends, and family to contribute to the establishment of the medical centre, and that effort was successful.”
The health systems expert, praised friends, colleagues, and well-wishers within and outside Nigeria who supported the project, financially and otherwise, assuring them of greater rewards from God and humanity.
It was indeed a day glory for Ebonyi people. President-General of Okposi Okwu Development Union (OODU), Chief John Osi, led a large delegation of his people to the event. He commended their illustrious son for his passion to see a better society for the future generations, describing him as a brand ambassador for the Okposi community,
Also, Col. Igwe Patrick Omoke of the Okposi Development Forum (ODF), praised the donor and assured him of more support particularly from Okposi people, in any of his endeavours that would bring succour to humanity.
Managing Partner, Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL), Dr. Alozie Ananaba, said Chuku’s action and the honour by the management of Veritas University, reflected his unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
According to him, his partner’s commitment, vision, and passion for improving lives have firmly established him as a shining light and thought leader in the Nigerian health sector. He was upbeat that the medical centre will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of hope and a vital resource for quality healthcare for the people.