Meet Prof Innocent UJAH: The New President, Nigeria Medical Association
A distinguished Abusite, Prof Innocent Ujah, the newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, has emerged as the President, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA.
The ABUSITE has observed that Prof Ujah was elected to lead the association during its 2020 conference held in Jos on Saturday.
Prof Ujah polled 347 votes to floor his closest rival, Oguzie Jerry, who pocketed 19 votes. Ibekwe Titus came third with 6 votes while Katibi Ibraheem got 5 votes.
Who is Prof Innocent UJAH?
Prof Innocent UJAH is an unparalleled Professor of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who is the new president, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and vice-chancellor, Federal University of Medical Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
The Consultant Obstetrician / Gynaecological Surgeon was born on 6th November 1954 in Aidogodo-Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State.
Prof Innocent UJAH started his education at Our Lady of Lordes, Primary School, Aidogodo, Okpoga from1960-1963. He attended St Mary’s Primary School, Otukpo from 1964-1966, and between 1967-1971 was at Government Secondary School, Katsina-Ala for his School Certificate. He subsequently attended Government College Keffi from 1972 to June 1973 for his HSC.
Prof Ujah was at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from Oct.1973 to June 1978 where he graduated with an MBBS Degree. He attended the University of Jos, Nigeria from 1990 to 1991 for a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).
The distinguished Abusite was also at the University of Uppsala, Sweden in 1993 for a Diploma in International Maternal Health Care, (Dip IMH) and at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in 1995 for his Senior Executive Course.
Prof Innocent UJAH started his career from July 1979 – June 1980 as an NYSC Medical Officer in charge of District Hospital Ila-Orangun, Oyo State.
Between October 1981 to December 84, he was Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, at ABU Teaching Hospital, Zaria where he rose to Senior Registrar.
Prof Innocent UJAH moved to the University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital in December 1988 as a Lecturer/Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology where he rose to Associate Professor in Oct 1998 and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in October 2001.
As an Expert with proven progressive experience in National Maternal Health policy development in Nigeria Including national integrated planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation activities in 36 states of the Federation and FCT, he Contributed to the institution of Safe motherhood activities in Nigeria commencing 1990.
He was the Chairman, Safe motherhood Committee in Nigeria, member, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) and has participated actively in the development, policy formulation, field-testing of certification criteria and implementation of Women and Children friendly health services.
Prof Innocent UJAH has participated in administering the affairs of professional Associations including 17 consecutive years of membership of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), part of which was served as 2nd and 1st National Vice-President of the Association at different times.
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Has served on the Council of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) consecutively for 19 years and part of which included serving in the capacity of Assistant Secretary-General of the Society and later served as the Secretary-General of the Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) from 2005 to 2011.
He Has over 17 years of experience in developing Situation Analysis reports at national and sub-national on the state of women and children’s health. Extensive multi-sectoral collaboration with governments, universities, UN agencies, and NGOs on the use of situation analysis reports for the improvement of maternal, neonatal, and children health programming.
Prof Innocent UJAH has Contributed to the development and setting up of quality assurance standards through the use of quality assurance tools including Client-Oriented Provider Efficient Services (COPE tool), Certification Criteria for Women and Children Friendly Health Services with 10 years active implementation and evaluation.
He has Consulted for NACA on the review of antiretroviral therapy in the Northcentral state In 2005, SNR/USAID on the needs assessment of national response to HIV/AIDS in Benue and Kaduna State in 2005, as well as Society for Family Health (SFH), HERON, etc
Prof Innocent UJAH was Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State (2006-2008), and successfully established the Department of Medical Laboratory Science (Undergraduate programme) and the Master in Public Health (MPH) (Graduate) programme.
He also served as Head Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and member, Governing Council, University of Jos (1997-1999).
Prof Innocent UJAH was appointed Director-General/CEO, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba- Lagos in May 2010. He also serves as Co-Chairman, Treatment Research Group (TRG) on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria and Member, Presidential Project Implementation Committee (PIC) on the establishment of University Teaching Hospital Otukpo.
He was recently appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences Otukpo.
He has attended several specialist courses and training among such as: Advanced course on Reproductive Endocrinology. Middlesex Hospital, London, England (April 1986); Advanced infertility workshop (sponsored by Serono (UK) Laboratories) Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England (1986); Gynaecological Endocrinology course, at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, England (1986)
Reproductive Epidemiology course (Rockefeller New York Sponsored) University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (1989); V.S.C. course on Minilap/LA (Sponsored by AVSC New York) FPAK Nyeri, Kenya (1990), Visiting Research Fellow, Minority International Research Training (MIRT) Programme, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA (2004).
CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/ WORKSHOPS ATTENDED WITH DATES:
Feb. 1983: First Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors’ of Nigeria (NARD) Ibadan, Chaired a session.
Feb. 1984: Second Scientific Conference of the Resident Doctors’ Association of Nigeria Port Harcourt, Chaired a session.
March, 1986: Scientific Conference on Gynaecological LASER Surgery, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist London, England.
Nov. 1986: Inaugural Scientific Conference on Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer (GIFT) in UK, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists London, England.
March, 1987: Lunch-Time Clinical Seminar, General Hospital, Northampton, England.
Presented a paper on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Experience with Urofollitrophin (metrodin).
March, 1987: Scientific Conference on pregnancy hypertension, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists London, England.
January, 1988; Blair Bell Research Society of Great Britain conference held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists London, England.
1988: SOGON Conference held in Jos. Presented a paper on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
1989: SOGON Conference held in Calabar, Presented a paper on Family Planning and Teenagers in Zaria, Nigeria.
1990: Nigerian Medical Association Scientific conference held in Lagos. Presented two papers.
1990: SOGON Conference on Safe motherhood held in Abuja, March ’90.
1991: First all Nigerian Conference on AIDS organized by the Nigerian Medical Association in Gate-Way Hotel, OTA, Ogun State.
April, 1991: Nigerian Medical Association Scientific Conference held at NIKE Lake Hotel, Enugu. Presented a paper on Recurrent abortions and pregnancy outcome.
August, 1991: Consultative Committee meeting on the prevention of unsafe abortion in Nigeria organized by the Nigerian Medical Association, OTA. Nigeria.
August, 1991: African Fertility Society (AFS) conference, Jos (Presented papers).
Sept. 1991: Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics Conference held at EKO L’ Meridian Hotel, Lagos, presented a paper of Bio-social characteristics of Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
Dec. 1991: International Seminar on prevention of Abortion – related morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, organized population council, New York and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
March, 1992: 2nd All Nigerian Conference on AIDS, organized by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at Gate Way Hotel, Ota. Nigeria.
April, 1992: Nigerian Medical Association Scientific Conference held at Govt. House, Kawo, Kaduna
July, 1992:26th British Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (BCOG) Manchester, England.
August, 1992: Law Reform Conference on Abortion organized by Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy (CAUP) at Ota.
Sept. 1992: Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics Conference held at Benin City. Presented 5 papers.
March, 1993: 3rd All Nigerian Conference on AIDS organized by the Nigerian Medical Association at Ota, Ogun State.
June, 1993: Consultative Committee meeting on the prevention of unsafe abortion in Nigeria – The way forward at Ota, Nigeria.
Oct. 1993: Annual Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics held at DURBAH HOTEL, KADUNA – Presented a paper on the outcome of pregnancy following induction of ovulation in clomiphene- resistant Polycystic ovary syndrome. (PCOS).
June, 1994: Consultative Meeting on Networking to eliminate unsafe abortion in Nigeria. Held between 2nd – 5th June, 1994 at FESTAC ’77 Hotel Plc, Lagos.
Sept. 1994: World Congress of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. (FIGO) Held in Montreal, Canada. Sept. 23-30.
Nov. 1994: Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) Trainers’ Workshop, organized by IPAS in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nov. 21-23.
Nov. 1994: Annual Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, Nov. 24-26.
Dec. 1994:Consultative group meeting on “Empowering Women for Better Reproductive Health” organized by Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy at Gateway Hotel, Ota, Ogun State, Dec. 8-11.
Nov. 1995: Annual Scientific Conference of SOGON held in Port-Harcourt, Nov. 23-26.
Nov. 1996: Annual General/Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held at University of Ibadan, November 27-30, 1996, presented a paper on maternal mortality.
Nov. 1996: Annual General/Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Hill Station Hotel, Jos, November 19th- 22nd, 1997 (Hosted the conference as Secretary, Local Organizing Committee).
Nov. 1998: International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Held in Benin City, Organized by SOGON.
Nov. 1999 :Annual Conference of Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Ikoyi Hotel Lagos Presented three Papers.
Nov.2000 Annual Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Women Development Centre, Abuja. Presented 4 papers.
Nov. 2001 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu. Presented 5 papers.
Nov. 2002 6th International Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Sheraton Hotels and Towers Abuja; Presented 7 papers.
Nov. 2004 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, Presented a Paper on the needs assessment on emergency Obstetric care (EOC) in Plateau State, SOGON Safe motherhood project sponsored by Mac Arthur Foundation
Nov. 2005 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Ibadan; presented three papers.
Jan. 2006 Meeting on Access to emergency obstetric care organized by ACCESS (JHEIGO), Nigeria held at UN House Abuja
Feb.2006 Policy meeting on the use of Misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum Haemorrhage in Nigeria, sponsored by Emzor Pharmaceuticals (Nig.) Ltd held at Agura Hotel, Abuja
March 2006 Strategic planning meeting for Nigerian Medical Association, sponsored by COMPASS held at Ota
April 2006 Expert meeting of Vision 2010 on maternal mortality reduction On streamlining measuring Indicators held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja
April 2006 Annual conference/AGM of Nigerian Medical Association held at Le Meridian Hotel, Abuja
May 2006 Meeting of National Safe motherhood Committee held at Comfort Royale Hotel, Abuja, sponsored by CEDPA
June 2006 Meeting on Accelerated strategy for child development held Minna, sponsored by UNICEF
July 2006 Dissemination meeting on the Non-pneumatic Anti-shock Garment (NASG) in the Management of Post partum Haemorrhage held at Transcorp Hilton, sponsored MacArthur Foundation
Nov. 2006 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Abuja; presented four papers.
Nov. 2007 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Benin City; Presented papers.
Nov. 2008 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Enugu; Presented 3 Scientific papers
July 2009 Research-based Response to sexual violence in Developing Countries, held in Misty Hills Hotel, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, July 6-9, 2009
Oct 2009 Pre-Conference Workshop on WHO/FIGO ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH Held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Cape Town, Republic of South Africa, Oct 3, 2009
Oct 2009 International Congress of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Held in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa Oct 4 – 9, 2009: Presented two papers
Nov 2009 Annual Scientific Conference of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Kano, Nov 17-21, 2009; Presented 2 Scientific papers
Jan 2010 One-day Stakeholders‟ meeting on the implementation of Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) in Nigeria, organized by NPHCDA, Abuja and held on January 12, 2010
April 2010 Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) workshop, organized by International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics (FIGO)
October 2010 Annual review meeting of FIGO/GATES MNH (LOGIC) Initiative held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 22-26, 2010
October 2010 Annual meeting of International Association of National Public Health Institutions held at Emory Hotels, Atlanta Georgia, 30th October – 3 November, 2010
Nov 2010 8th International Conference & 44th Annual General meeting of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Abuja, Nov 17-21, 2009; Presented 2 Scientific papers
March 2011 International Conference on TB and Lung Diseases held at ICC, Abuja from 3-5, 2011
March 2011 Launching of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 13-16, 2011
March 2011 Meeting on the Product problem: Pathways for making Misoprostol available for post-Partum Haemorrhage organized by Gynuity Health Projects and held at The Carlton Hotel, 88 Madison Avenue, New York, NY; March 24-25, 2011
May 2011 Working visit to discuss Business opportunities to TECO Diagnostics (TC), a Medical Laboratory equipment and reagent kits manufacturer based in Anaheim, California, LA, USA (Sponsored by TC Diagnostics)
September 2011 Six Annual Meeting of International Association of National Public Health Institutes, Public Health Institutes of the World (IANPHI), Health In Helsinki, Finland.
November 2011 Working visit to MEDICA in Düsseldorf-Germany for Medical Exhibition (Sponsored partly by TECO Diagnostics)
Oct. 2011 FIGO LOGIC Annual Review Meeting in Mumbai organised by International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics (FIGO) between 12 and 14 October, 2011
Nov. 2011 44th Annual General meeting of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Ibadan, Nov 23- 27, 2011; Presented 2 Scientific papers
July 2012:XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, USA, 22 – 27 July 2012 September 2012: Conference of International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), held in Mexico City, Mexico, September 28 – 3rd October 2012
October 2012: World Congress of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) held in Rome-Italy from 6-13 October 2012
November 2012: 2nd International Conference organised by Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba – Lagos, 3-8 November 2012
November 2012: 45th Annual General meeting of Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Nov 22-26, 2012; Presented 2 Scientific Papers
January 2013: 1st National Health Summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Association in Asaba, Delta State, 20-27, January 2013
March 2013: Scientific Conference on the role of Health Systems in the Fight against Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases in ECOWAS, 5-7, March 2013
October 20 13: Meeting of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), held in Tanzania, (October, 2013)
November 2014: Meeting of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), held in Marrakech, Morocco, Presented a paper on Nigeria‟s response to Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), 3-5 Nov. 2014
September 2015: 3-Day Training Workshop for Health Governance Bodies in Nigeria, organised by FMOH in conjunction with MSH, Abuja 8-10, September 2015
September 2015: A Symposium on Recent Advances in Haematological Disorders, organised to mark the Commissioning of the Biomedical Training and Cancer Research Centre at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba-Lagos, September 28-29, 2015
October 2015: World Congress of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) held in Vancouver, Canada 4-9 October 2015
October 2015: Meeting of the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), held in Paris, France October 13-15, Presented a paper on Vaccine Hesitancy and Polio Eradication In Nigeria and on a Panel discussion on Ebola: Lessons learned for better preparedness and Response
October 2015: Meeting on Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA): Consultation for Laboratory Strengthening, Organised by WHO and African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), held in Sierra Leone October 15-16, 2015
Prof Innocent UJAH’s HONOURS AWARD:
1980: Oyo State (NYSC) Chairman’s award
1987: Life membership award: National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD).
!999: NMA merit award by Nigerian Medical Association, Plateau State Branch, Jos.
1999: JUMSA Merit award by Jos University Medical Students‟ Association, Jos
2001: Merit Award by Okpoga Development Community (ODC) on the contribution to the establishment of Community Bank in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State
2005: Distinguished Honours award by Okpoga Development Community, Benue State
2008: Distinguished Honours‟ Award for Educational Development in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State
2009: Distinguished KOABA ’71 (DK‟71) by Class 1971 of Government College Katsina-Ala, Benue State
2010: Award of recognition by Idoma National Forum (INF) on my appointment as Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba-Lagos
2010: Honours award by the Aidogodo Development Community on my appointment as Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NMIR), Yaba-Lagos
2010: Member, Consultative Scientific Committee, West African Health Research Network (WAHRNET)
2011: Honours Award and recognition by Okpoga Development Community (ODC) on my appointment as Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba-Lagos
2011: Merit Award by Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos
2011: Honorary Fellow of Health Writers‟ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) for Outstanding Contribution to Health Journalism
2012: Distinguished Scholar and Guest Lecturer Award by the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
2012: Distinguished Award of Excellence by National Association of Benue State Students (NUBESS), University of Jos, Jos
Feb 2013: ICON of Nation Building of the year award by League of Democratic Students
March 2013: Honours Award for contributing to the building of the College of Medical Science, University of Jos by the College of Medical Science, University of Jos.
September 2013: Award for Professional Excellence in the Health/Medical Sector in Nigeria by Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN)
November 2013: Award of Excellence by Aidogodo Development Community, Okpoga North, Benue State
April 2014: Award of Excellence by the Alumni of University of Jos of Okpoga District, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State.
MEMBER OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Nigerian Medical Association(NMA)
Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON)
Nigerian Society of Endocrinology & Metabolism(NSEM)
International Association of National Public Health Institutes of the World (IANPHI)
International AIDS Society(IAS)
Member Institute of Management (NIM)
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