A MILESTONE: The Ndoma-Egba's Family Showcased Another Story of Excellence
Today was the University of Calabar 70th inaugural lecture series delivered by Prof. Rowland Egba Ndoma-Egba. While Rowland Egba Ndoma-Egba is an authority in medicine, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is an iconic figure in law and political. The theme of the inaugural lecture of Prof Rowland Egba Ndoma-Egba is "Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Tree- The Green Tree of Life: Do you have a Liver?" In his inaugural lecture Prof Ndoma-Egba outlined the 9 functions of the liver thus:
1. I store the iron reserves you need as well as a lot of vitamins and other minerals.
Without me, you wouldn't have strength to carry on.
2. I make bile able to digest food
Without me, you'd waste away to nothing
3. I detoxify poisonous chemicals you give me which includes alcohol, beer, wine and drugs (prescribed and over the counter) as well as illegal substances
Without me, your bad habit would kill you
4. I store energy, like battery, by stockpiling sugar (carbohydrates, glucose & fat) until you need it.
Without me the sugar level in your blood could fall dramatically & you'd go into coma!
5. I make the blood that got your system going even before you were born
Without me, you wouldn't be here
6. I manufacture new proteins that your body need to stay healthy and grow
Without me, you wouldn't grow properly
7. I remove poison from the air, exhaust smoke and chemicals you breathe
Without me, you'd be poisoned by pollutants
8. I make clotting factors that stop the bleeding when you accidentally prick yourself
Without me, you'd bleed to death
9. I help defend you against the germs going into your body all the time. I take those cold germs, flu bugs and other germs you encounter, and knock them dead or at least weaken them
Without me, you'd be sitting duck for every infection known to man!
As part of humanitarian service to the Unical community, Prof Ndoma-Egba gave free hepatitis B test to more than 200 persons.
MEET THE MEDICAL ICON PROF NDOMA-EGBA
Prof Rowland Egba Ndoma-Egba is a professor of Surgery; specifically 'Hepeto-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery
1977-78: Horsemanship at university of Lagos Teaching Hospital
1978-79: NYSC and declared the best youth corps member for 78/79 year in Gongola State and the first South Eastern person to be so honoured
79/80: started demonstration in Anatomy and became residents doctor in July 1980. Founded the ARD and became Registrar to Prod Ed-Dar, the HOD of surgery. Received the national award for NYSC from President Shehu Shagari.
80/81: Awarded scholarship In-Service to England by UCTH. Became Chief Medical Director of Itam Horgan Itam upon return to Nigeria
Feb. 91: Appointed Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC). Introduced Resuscitation cupboards to A/E and all the wards
Jan. 1995: Appointed Chief Medical Director UCTH and Lecturer I Medical College, University of Calabar.
Founded School of Nursing, Institute of Tropical Medicine and Research with Prof. Ezedinachi. Founded Mary Slessor Journal with Prof Ejezie. Moved UCTH to permanent Site.
2003: On completion of CMD tenure, appointed member of Presidential Project Implementation Committee (PPIC) on the FGN/VAMED Project.
2010: Appointed Chairman Ministerial Committee on Review of Residency Training Programme in Nigeria
2012: Pilgrimage to Rome, Jerusalem and climbed Mount Sanai
2013: Appointed pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council Obafemi Awolowo University
2016: Inaugural Lecture.
Prof. Rowland Egba Ndoma-Egba is indeed a rare gem. Being present in the occasion, Mrs Ndoma-Egba their mother must be singing praises a fulfilled life.
Joseph Odok
Social Change Agent