The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has embarked on its 2021 annual recess. Barring any unforeseen circumstances that may warrant emergency resumption, the recess will last for two months. It offers opportunity for the federal Lawmakers to return to their constituencies to give account of their stewardship, retrospect or review the journey so far in order to project into the future. This is ordinarily the norm.
However, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone, a medical Doctor and Teacher is taking a different perspective. While other Senators embarked on the vacation, Senator Nnamani goes to Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to teach in the Department of Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine. He will however do so pro bono.
In March 2020, the foremost State University appointed Senator Nnamani a Visiting Professor of Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. This, ESUT said “is in approval and recognition of his works, research and promotion of maternal and child health”.
The University Registrar, Dr. Leonard O. Khama confirmed this in the appointment letter to Senator Nnamani.
In the letter, the Registrar told Senator Nnamani that “as a Visiting Professor, your duties include block teaching, student supervision and research in your Department and such other related assignments as are consistent with your status”.
Reacting to the appointment, Senator Nnamani said it is another window to contribute to health sector by helping to train medical personnel and giving back to the society. The two time Governor of Enugu State stated: “I will make my contributions to the university using the available time during recess in Enugu to provide teaching, research and guidance to students”.
He said he will focus on maternal and fetus medicine, obtretrics, genealogy and medical physiology as well as special clinical areas such as fetus surveillance and complications in pregnancies.
The appointment as a Professor, he reiterated is another opportunity to impact knowledge on the younger generation of health care providers bringing his American health system and Nigerian experiences to bear. The twin advantages, he hopes would impact positively on the health sector in Nigeria.
Senator Nnamani, a graduate of University of Nigeria, Enugu Medical School is Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. He belongs to a number of professional societies such as the Society for Perinatal Obstetricians, American Society for Cell Biology, and Society for Gynecologic Investigations amongst others.
It is to his credit as the Governor of the coal city State between 1999 and 2007 that ESUT moved to its permanent campus in Agbani when he superintended the building of the University.
It should be noted that since his return to the Senate in 2019, Senator Nnamani has made the issue of maternal and child health the centre of his legislative advocacy. He is also an unrepentant promoter of education for the girl child .
He is in the forefront of the campaign against violation of women and children’s rights. He abhors all forms of discrimination against women such as early or forced marriage, child labour, obnoxious harmful cultural practices such as genital mutilation and right to inheritance.
Informed decisions through sincere dialogue and legislative advocacy, Senator Nnamani believes Nigeria would be a better place for all.
