The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, has said prioritising institutional development by public servants and office holders is key to improving service delivery in the public sector.
Ahidjo stated this in Maiduguri on Wednesday while speaking after receiving an award of Courage in Leadership Amid Devastating Circumstances from the Journalists’ Forum for the Promotion of Health and Environment (REMAPSEN) Nigeria.
He said his eight-year experience as CMD had convinced him that public office holders should focus on building institutions rather than personal offices.
“Arising from my experience as CMD for eight years, I strongly believe that prioritising the development of institutions will help greatly in service delivery, especially in the public sector, or in any position we occupy,” he said.
Ahidjo said his determination to seek solutions to the devastating impact of the massive flood that hit the hospital in September 2024 was driven by his resolve to strengthen the institution.
He said the flood destroyed or damaged several medical equipment at the hospital, including equipment at the Cancer Centre.
According to him, he sought assistance to replace the damaged equipment while ensuring that donors dealt directly with the manufacturers.
“I sought for help to replace damaged or destroyed medical equipment in the hospital, allowing those who wanted to help us to do so directly with the manufacturers.
“This paid off as the decision accelerated recovery and confidence in our efforts,” he said.
Presenting the award, the National Coordinator of REMAPSEN Nigeria, Mr Timothy Olanrewaju, said Ahidjo was selected for his leadership approach in responding to challenges that could have forced the teaching hospital to suspend its core mandates.
Olanrewaju said the board considered Ahidjo’s efforts in ensuring the continued provision of healthcare services, training of medical personnel and conduct of research despite the devastating flood and insecurity in Borno.
“We observed that in less than a year, the CMD and his team got an intervention from Nigerian billionaire, Sir Emeka Ofor, to replace the over N1 billion machine destroyed by flood at the Cancer Centre of the hospital, directly from the manufacturers in the U.S.,” he said.
He also commended Ahidjo’s courage in leading the hospital amid incessant insurgent attacks around the facility, particularly the suicide bomb attack at the hospital gate on March 16.
Olanrewaju said the mobilisation of personnel to attend to dozens of victims at the hospital’s Trauma Centre demonstrated Ahidjo’s commitment to service in Borno, despite the volatile security situation.
He said the Journalists’ Forum for the Promotion of Health and Environment-REMAPSEN Nigeria was a chapter of the African Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment, established in 2023 by journalists reporting health and environmental issues across the continent.
According to him, the award was part of the forum’s efforts to promote stronger commitments toward improving public health and addressing environmental challenges.