“After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.” – William R. Alger
Every trying time in human history comes with agents of solutions who turned out to become heroes and celebrated icons. One of our illustrious sons, Prof. (Dr) Augustine Vincent Umoh, is serving as the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health at a time dreadful Covid-19 pandemic gnaws at not only the state but the entire humanity. There is never a more difficult time to be a health commissioner in the history of Akwa Ibom than this morbid period in which the state government is under intense pressure to contend the spread of the evil pandemic that does not only brought economic hardship but put human lives into a serious risk of survival.
Just like Dr. Thomas Dyer Tuttle, a Washington Health Commissioner in the United States who was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the fight against the Spanish Influenza pandemic in 1918, we deem it necessary to select and induct our own Prof. Augustine Umoh into Ikono/Ini Development Hall of Fame to remind posterity that there was an unassuming and selfless man who shepherded our public health sector through a devastating period of Covid-19 pandemic.
Akwa Ibom State State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in his drive for victory over the pandemic in the state, was meticulous enough to have settled for the choice of Prof. Umoh as the health commissioner. In line with the saying that a star has no hiding place, it is apparent that Prof. Augustine Umoh’s panache and feats in the health profession could not have escaped the notice of the governor whose watchword is excellence. Governor Udom Emmanuel has found him worthy and trusted him with the onerous responsibility of manning the most pressurized public sector in recent times.
Prof (Dr.) Augustine Umoh is from Okopedi Ibianang in the Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. His early years were sacrificed for intensive training and education. As a Headmaster’s son, he went through different primary schools, a situation that was as conditioned by numerous of his father’s transfers. He finally completed his primary education at Uyo Obio after which he proceeded to Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene between 1978 and 1983 for his secondary education.
Augustine Umoh further attended the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos which spanned from 1984 to 1990 and obtained his MBBS degree there. He then completed his mandatory one-year Housemanship at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as well as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at General Hospital, Anka in the Sokoto (now Zamfara) State of Nigeria.
His quest for academic and professional sophistication took him off the shores of Nigeria to the United Kingdom. In 2001, Umoh obtained a postgraduate diploma in Reproductive Health from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and in 2002 he was conferred with the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons in the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is also a Fellowship of the International College of Surgeons and holds a certificate in Economic Evaluation in Global Health from the University of Washington, United States.
Augustine Umoh worked as a Resident Doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) before his double appointments as a Lecturer in the University of Uyo as well as Honorary Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) following his conferment with the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons.
Umoh was a pioneer Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, and also served as UUTH’s Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He was the Vice Dean and later a Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the university. He has been a member of the University of Uyo Senate from 2004 to 2010 and in 2016. He got promoted to the rank of Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2013.
Prof. (Dr) Augustine Umoh has been a member of the Akwa Ibom State Nigerian Medical Association Executive Council from 2006 to date and in 2014 he was elected the Chairman of NMA Akwa Ibom State. Prof. Umoh has contributed immensely to scholarship and has published extensively both in local and International Journals. In 2006, he pioneered the official medical publication of the Akwa Ibom State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) known as the Ibom Medical Journal, and subsequently went ahead to serve as the journal’s editor for eight years. In 2017, he was appointed the Editor of the Nigerian Medical Journal, a flagship journal of the Nigerian Medical Association.
He is an active member of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SOGON) at both the Sector and National levels. He served as the Secretary of SOGON, Eastern Sector and a member of SOGON Council, National, from 2009 to 2015. He was also at various times the President of Federal Government College Old Boys Association, Ikot Ekpene, a position he held both in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.
Prof Augustine Umoh is a man of his people. In 2013, he was honored with the traditional title called Obong Utuenikang Ibianang in recognition of his services to the community. He enjoys singing, traveling, watching football, and teaching. He believes, fervently, that what is worth doing is worth doing well and has endeavored to apply this maxim in all he does. Prof Augustine Umoh is married to the delectable Dr. Rosemary Umoh and they are blessed with Children.
On Saturday, 29th January 2022 all roads will lead to Ikono Local Government Council Hall as Doctor will be inducted into the prestigious Ikono/Ini Development Hall of Fame to continue on his good works toward the development of the Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and Africa at large.
Ikono/Ini Development Hall of Fame is a token tribute to the great Sons and Daughters of the area in diverse perspectives to positive public service, the unique origins and work-life of each inductee will provide insights and inspiration to others up to the next generation including those aspiring for public interest at heart. Here Prof. Umoh is inducted based on merit.
Moreover, as the holy Bible posits in Proverbs 29: 2 -
Everyone rejoices when the lovers of God flourish, but the people groan when the wicked rise to power. Today the people of Ikono/Ini are rejoicing because Gov Udom Emmanuel and Prof. Augustine Umoh in his cabinet have made us proud.
History beckons that never in the history of governance of Akwa Ibom State that Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency receive such attention in terms of development like in Gov Udom Emmanuel Administration - recently
His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has graciously approved the construction of the Pan-Ikono " Ikot Ayan-Urua Naira- Ikot Nseyen- Nkwot-Nung Ukim Road" with a 45m-span bridge, the road liking to Prof. Umoh's home which suffered neglect over years by different government administration - with this and many more we will continue to celebrate Governor Udom Emmanuel and Prof. Augustine Umoh.
Article compiled by Ikono/Ini Media Professionals.
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