By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Thursday, swore in Associate Prof. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi as the new Health Commissioner in Enugu State. This follows the death, last week, of the former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu.

Prof. Obi, until his appointment was a Consultant Public Health Physician and Lecturer at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozallaand College of Medicine, University of Nigeria.

Swearing in the new Commissioner, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that “the compelling need to re-establish commanding leadership for State Health Care System under a Commissioner”, in the face of the escalating Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, “necessitated the urgent replacement of our deceased Commissioner for Health”.

The governor added that the action was taken pursuant to the confirmation of Associate Prof. Obi’s nomination as Commissioner by the Enugu State House of Assembly “conveyed in Enugu State House of Assembly letter reference No. HA/5/CHA/11/VOL.1V/146, dated 9th April, 2020.”

While congratulating Associate Prof. Obi on his appointment, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed the hope “that you will bring your expertise and the requisite gravitas to bear on your new role as Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, especially in these unusual times.”

Responding, Prof. Obi expressed gratitude to the governor for finding him worthy to serve as the State Commissioner for Health and pledged to carry out his duties with “all diligence and the best of my ability”.