UNIZIK VC Prof Anyaehie bags NMA Anambra Merit Award of Excellence
Vice-Chancellorof Nnamdi University, Awka, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie has been honoured by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State, with a Merit Award of Excellence.
Receiving the honour on Friday, July 17 2026, at Classic Munich Hotel, Nnewi, during the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Scientific Conference and Awards of the Association, the organisers hailed Prof. Anyaehie’s contributions to medical education in Nigeria and his transformative strides in university administration since his assumption of office as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Various medical experts at the conference who felicitated with the Vice-Chancellor also hailed his open-door policy in administration and his interest in the welfare of the university’s staff, especially those at the College of Health Sciences, Okofia, Nnewi.
In his remarks after receiving the award, Prof. Anyaehie commended the Nigerian Medical Association for its unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting quality healthcare. He expressed appreciation to the association for the recognition, describing the award as an encouragement to continue supporting excellence in medicine and medical education.
‘When one is recognised by a professional body like NMA known for its ethics and principles, you know it is valuable. This award is like praise from one’s family who is always the last set of people to praise one. In life generally, this is an encouragement to do better,” he added.
In an interview with journalists after the award presentation, Prof. Anyaehie, while responding to questions on the brain drain and “japa” syndrome which affects Nigeria’s medical personnel always moving outside the shores of the country for greener pastures, said doctors practising in the country amidst increasing brain drain in the health sector should be applauded.
He described Nigerian doctors as brainy, especially in view of their regular training, just as he refuted alleged aggressive behaviour towards their patients.
“What you call brain drain may not really be brain drain because the ones remaining here are still brainy. This government is also creating the enabling environment for the doctors to stay. There are recent increases in salaries, though it may not match what is obtainable in other countries.
“But generally, doctors are well trained to take care of their patients; so there’s no justification for misbehaviour. Meanwhile, there are mechanisms to handle such; some have been sent to jail, while others are banned from practising.”
“We also encourage the public to report any erring doctor for necessary disciplinary actions. In the long run, those doctors that remain in Nigeria should be applauded and praised.”
Earlier, State chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Princeton Okam said the event was an opportunity to interact and interface with key stakeholders, government agencies and policy makers on issues affecting doctors and the healthcare system at large.
It also provides an avenue for continuing professional development through the lectures and scientific sessions.
On the award recipients, Okam said they were carefully selected in recognition of their giant strides and achievements in the field of medicine, various positions of responsibility held at different levels within the state and beyond and their service to humanity.
He expressed optimism for a more robust relationship with NMA and doctors both in public and private establishments as a panacea to achieving his dream healthcare delivery system for the people of the state.
The conference was themed “The Future of Medicine in Nigeria: Doctors as System Architects – Innovation, Workforce Sustainability and Universal Health Coverage,” with the sub-theme “Medicine Under Pressure: Insecurity, Violence Against Healthcare Workers, Workforce Migration and the Struggle for Healthcare Survival.”
Discussions during the conference focused on the challenges confronting the nation’s healthcare system and the role of medical professionals in driving innovation, strengthening the workforce, and achieving universal health coverage.
The two-day event brought together medical professionals, academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
A former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, delivered the 6th Memorial Lecture in honour of Emeritus Professor Festus Aghagbo Nwako during the conference.
The keynote presentation on the conference theme was delivered by Professor Timothy Uzoma Mbaeri, who examined the future of the medical profession in Nigeria, emphasising innovation, workforce sustainability, and strategic reforms needed to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system amid growing challenges.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to address insecurity, improve the welfare of healthcare workers, curb the migration of medical personnel, and build a more resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of Nigerians.