The Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Thursday, swore in Associate Prof. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, as the new health commissioner following the demise of Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, the former Commissioner for Health, last week.

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

While 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 ravaging Coronavirus Disease pandemic necessitated the urgent replacement of the deceased Commissioner for Health.

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The governor added that the action was taken in 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 optimism that Prof. Obi will bring his expertise and the requisite gravitas to bear on his new role as Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, especially in this challenging time.

Responding, Prof. Obi thanked 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 his ability