SIR: Amidst the disturbing trend of strangulating security challenges ranging from the nefarious activities of Boko Haram and the horrifying butcheries of citizens by their ISWAP counterparts to the gory scenes of carnage by bandits and unknown gun men, the statistics of unemployed youths and graduates in Nigeria has continued to rise and has, in fact, taken a dreadful posture. In all honesty, critical development infrastructure like electricity which is cardinal to enhancing industrialisation  and creating employment opportunities is obviously lacking. Failure of efforts by successive governments in tackling that challenge has stalled the drive for economic resurgence and stability of the 7th most populous nation in the world.

What is crucial to Nigeria and Nigerians at this period is not to point out the reasons or factors behind the insecurity currently bedeviling our dear nation but proffering possible solutions thereto. How do we once again regain the unity and brotherhood that Nigeria and Nigerians were noted for at the period of our Independence in 1960? How do we make a northerner win an election in Enugu State or Oyo State, and an Igbo or Yoruba man win election in Kano State, and how do we once again see ourselves as brothers and sisters not minding our religion or tribe?

The essence of this piece is to commend the board and management team of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida in Niger State, for taking the bold step that offers a practical way out of the current lack of trust amongst Nigerians by honoring a great Nigerian whose love for humanity and aspiration towards a better and greater Nigeria is never in doubt, Prof Onyekwere George Benjamin Nwaorgu.

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At this period when it seems that the country, Nigeria, is divided along the lines of religion and tribal inclinations, for an establishment managed mostly by northerners and based in the northern section of this country to honour an Igbo man from the eastern part of Nigeria, who is more a Yoruba man because his wife is Yoruba, should be an event to be celebrated by all Nigerians.

History was made on Wednesday 11th August, 2021 at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida when an edifice completed and equipped during the tenure of the former Chief Medical Director of the institution, Dr. MA Usman, was commissioned and named after Prof. Nwaorgu, a renowned professor of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, at an event described by many as epochal. The facility was named after the professor in honor of his numerous contributions to training in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, particularly in Nigeria and in many other African countries. The professor serves as trainer and mentor for many trainees and fellows/consultants in the field of otorhinolaryngology, including the former Medical Director of FMC, Bida who deemed it fit to name the ENT block after him.

This new facility will improve health care service delivery, training and research in the field of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery for the people of Niger State and its environs.

Prof. Nwaorgu, a native of Umuodagu Ntu, Ngor-Okpala, Imo State, was born on April 23, 1959. A former student of St John’s Primary School, Imerienwe; Owerri Grammar School, Imerienwe, and Federal School of Arts and Science, Victoria Island, Lagos, he obtained the MBBS degree from the University of Ibadan in June 1985. His working career commenced with his employment as an house officer at the then General Hospital, Aba (now Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba); NYSC medical officer at the Tombia Health Centre, Delga LGA, Rivers State between 1986 and 1987; and employment as a Medical Officer, Alvan Ikoku College of Education Medical Centre, Owerri in 1988. He had his specialist training as an otorhinolaryngologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu from December 1988 and passed his fellowship examination in April 1995. He became a Fellow, West African College of Surgeons in 1995, and a year later Fellow, National Medical College of Nigeria. He was appointed Honorary Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist by the Board of the University College Hospital, Ibadan in August 1995 and has been serving in this capacity till date.

• Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a Medical Consultant, writes from ezemediaconept2020@gmail.com