…Set to launch hospital, targets large share of medical tourism

_…Facility attracts outpouring of interest from diaspora medics

Ahead of the imminent inauguration of the Enugu International Hospital, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has undertaken a tour of the facility, declaring that Enugu State was ready to welcome the world.

Mbah said the hospital was now fully installed with state-of-the-art medical equipment and would help to reverse medical tourism out of the country, ensuring that the state secures a large chunk of the multibillion-dollar market.

Fielding questions from newsmen on Thursday evening after a pre-launch walkthrough of the facility situated at Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu, Mbah said the hospital was a product of a deliberate health agenda.

“If you recall our manifesto during our campaign for office, we made it clear that we were committed to making Enugu a medical tourism hub on the continent.

“We knew the size of that market and wanted to have a good share of that market. But we knew also that it was never going to be wished into existence.

“We knew that we needed to do things differently and build a world-class facility and, most importantly, attract top-notch professionals to provide services. We cannot wait to welcome the world to Enugu,” he stated.

Mbah regretted that there was just about one functional location for PET Scan services in the country, but noted that the hospital would now bridge the wide gap in advanced medical services in the country.

“We have quite a lot of Ndi Enugu, and Nigerians who travel to India, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom to seek medical attention. So, what we are asking for is just a fraction of what they would have spent overseas for the same quality services,” he said.

“We felt that if we want to compete globally, then we must also have the ability to provide advanced oncology services. Therefore, we are not only able to give you an advanced diagnosis, but we’re also able to treat. So, both diagnostically and therapeutically, the place to come to is right here in Enugu.

“We have also received an outpouring of interest from our healthcare professionals in the diaspora. Some of them were doing well here at some point and now went overseas to practice. They are now happy to come back home and give back to the society that nurtured them. We are excited about that,” he stated.

He added that the Enugu International Hospital would equally engage in telemedicine as one of its areas of strength.

“Of course, you may be in love with the building and the equipment, but you should also engage professionals from across the globe. You see this in our commitment to telemedicine, digital and electronic medical practices and equipment,” he explained.

He emphasised that the hospital was part of his administration’s agenda for the health sector as a major part of his government’s vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn, and ensure high quality and increased life expectancy for the people.

“If you look at our intervention in the healthcare sector, from the primary healthcare to the secondary, tertiary, and now the quaternary, it is intentional.

“We are investing heavily in security and healthcare because we know that these are what investors would ask you: ‘Am I safe? If I fall sick, would I have a place where I can get quality medical attention?’” he said, adding that the hospital would also create jobs.

Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Sam Agwu, listed six specialty areas the hospital would provide services in once commissioned.

“We have earmarked six specialty centres here. In the Cancer Centre, we are going to provide medical, surgical, and nuclear medicine therapeutics and diagnostics.

“Then we are going to have the Heart and Vascular Centre of Excellence to deal with all heart problems and open-heart surgery, as you may know; cardiology consultation and diagnostics, electrophysiology and arrhythmia care, coronary care and acute cardiac pathways, interventional cardiology and cath-lab procedures, heart-failure and cardiac rehabilitation clinics, and of course vascular assessment and collaborative surgical care.

“We are going to have the Neurosciences Centre where we will deal with stroke, epilepsy, brain and spine tumours, neurosurgical procedures, among others.

“We are going to have a Renal and Transplant Centre of Excellence covering full kidney, chronic kidney disease clinics, early nephrology review, dialysis support and transplant assessment.

“Then, apart from all the centres of excellence, we are going to have wellness and regenerative medicine, while the usual departments that you know of – mother and child, general surgery, ENT, dental, ophthalmology, among others – will all be here.

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State, Dr. Sunday Nwafor, hailed the milestone, saying the hospital would promote brain gain by reversing the mass exodus of medical doctors from the country.

“Going forward, our doctors have a place of international standard where they can practice with state-of-the-art equipment and also earn well,” he said.

Mbah was accompanied by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, among others.

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Vanguard alumni are set to unveil a commemorative book chronicling the newspaper’s 40-year journey, evolution and distinctive newsroom culture.

Titled The Chronology of Vanguard Newspaper, the book captures the experiences, contributions and memories of journalists, editors and other professionals who helped shape the newspaper’s legacy.

The publication will be unveiled as part of activities marking Vanguard’s enduring legacy, with former staff expected to reconnect, share memories and celebrate the institution that shaped generations of media professionals.

The book project was announced during an appearance on Villa Square, a special segment of Cre8tive 9ja, a weekly tourism and culture magazine programme hosted by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji on Mainland 98.3FM.

Speaking on the programme, members of the Vanguard Alumni Planning Committee, including Coordinator Sam Eferaro, Chairman Agnes Otsemobor and member Funmi Komolafe, reflected on their experiences at the newspaper and the enduring bond among former staff.

Eferaro said Vanguard’s distinctive work culture continued to unite former employees long after they had left the organisation.

“Vanguard has a rich work culture for its staff and there is no way you will work for Vanguard Newspaper and forget about the experience. Even after years of retirement, we still communicate together because we have a platform where we share information, interact and help each other,” he said.

According to him, the anniversary gathering would provide an opportunity for former staff to reconnect, celebrate their shared history and relive memorable moments from their years at the newspaper.

He said the book, which took several years to compile, received contributions from more than 20 editors and would serve as a valuable resource for journalists, journalism students and researchers interested in the history of the Nigerian media.

Eferaro urged young and aspiring journalists to read the publication and draw lessons from the experiences documented in it.

He also described the Vanguard newsroom as one of the most vibrant in the country, recalling the creativity, competitiveness and camaraderie that characterised the organisation in its formative years.

According to him, the newsroom culture encouraged journalists to pursue exclusive stories and develop compelling headlines that attracted readers and strengthened the newspaper’s position in the competitive media market.

Otsemobor described Vanguard Publisher, Sam Amuka-Pemu, popularly known as Uncle Sam, as a father figure whose leadership helped shape the careers of generations of journalists.

She said Amuka-Pemu created an environment in which staff developed a strong sense of belonging and responsibility towards the organisation.

“Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu is a doyen of journalism who got all of us together. We started Vanguard from nothing, but we had this camaraderie and he made us feel like a family. He ensured everyone gave their all to the job to make sure that the paper became such a success as it is today,” she said.

Recalling her experience at Vanguard in the 1990s, Otsemobor said the publisher maintained an informal and convivial relationship with staff.

She recalled occasions when employees gathered around him during informal moments at the office, describing him as “a jolly good fellow.”

Meke, who chairs the venue committee and began his journalism career at Vanguard, said the newspaper played an important role in creating opportunities for journalists, particularly women, to develop their careers.

He said Vanguard’s influence on its former employees extended beyond the workplace.

“Vanguard is a spirit that can never get out of you as a staff. For us, the members of the Alumni body, we are just seeing ourselves for the first time in many years. I am fully committed to the Vanguard spirit and the event will be filled with fun,” Meke said.

He said the anniversary programme would feature discussions and reminiscences aimed at bringing to light some of the experiences behind Vanguard’s growth and success, particularly its distinctive newsroom culture.

Meke added that former staff would use the occasion to reconnect, share memories and celebrate the institution that played a significant role in shaping their professional lives.

Komolafe urged young journalists to remain committed to the ethics of the profession and use journalism as a tool for positive contributions to society.

She advised journalists to distinguish facts from opinions, verify information before publication and maintain balance in their reports.

“As a journalist, you have a conscience and you know what is right and wrong. Do your reporting and do not manipulate facts. Do not put out your ideas as fact because, as we used to say in journalism, when you doubt, you find out,” she said.

Komolafe further urged young journalists to remain focused, uphold professional standards and prepare themselves for the challenges of the profession.

She stressed that accuracy, fairness and integrity should remain central to journalism, noting that credibility was among the most valuable assets of a journalist.

Vanguard Media was founded by veteran journalist and publisher Sam Amuka-Pemu in 1984. The newspaper began as a weekly publication on June 3, 1984, before becoming a daily newspaper on July 3, 1984.

Over four decades, Vanguard has established itself as one of Nigeria’s major newspapers, with its motto, “Towards a better life for the people,” reflecting its longstanding focus on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians and the wider society.

The newspaper marked its 40th anniversary in 2024, prompting former editors, journalists and other members of staff to reflect on its evolution and enduring legacy.

The commemorative book project is part of efforts by the Vanguard Alumni to preserve the newspaper’s history, professional experiences and institutional memory for present and future generations.