Retired Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff, admitted a change of perspective regarding women in leadership roles, citing a past experience with a female minister of petroleum. Danjuma, speaking at the inauguration of the Goodwill Medical Centre in Enugu, expressed his initial belief that tasks entrusted to women are executed efficiently. However, he recounted an incident where a female minister of petroleum allegedly excelled in corruption, prompting him to reassess his stance.
He said, “I used to say that if you want anything properly done and deliver on time without any excuses, give the job to a woman until we had a female minister of petroleum. That woman excelled in corruption. She set a record that is yet to be beaten by anybody.
“So, I was in the process of reviewing my statement when I met one lady, Prof. Uche Amazigo Uche and I have come a very long way. My first encounter with Uche was around mid-October 2010 when she, accompanied by Mrs. Franca Ilamiji, another Igbo woman.”
Extolling the character of Prof Amazigo, the retired Army General, said she has made him believe again that women remain the most trusted people to prudently manage public funds.
“Uche and I have been colleagues for many years. After working for the TY Danjuma Foundation, I thought I had seen the end of Uche. I was mistaken.
“In early March 2022, Prof Uche, accompanied by two other female professors, presented to me a request to provide financial support for building and equipping a low-cost high-efficiency medical centre to provide excellent medical services by predominantly female medical doctors, nurses and midwives who chose to dedicate their time to humanity.
“I listened to her carefully and asked a few questions. I wanted to know if they have cash and the name of the organisation. And how she thinks an all-female-staff medical centre will function. She was ready for my questions.
“The result of all these questions is what you see here today.
“This magnificent edifice can only be built by women at the price they accounted to me.
“Men will take your money and and you won’t see any building or money.”
While saluting and congratulating Uche and her team for a job well done, Danjuma expressed hope that they would surpass the goals they set for themselves.
While not disclosing the minister’s name, Danjuma asserted that her corruption record remains unmatched. Nonetheless, he noted that his perception shifted upon encountering Prof. Uche Amazigo, a pro-poor public health specialist, during the inauguration of the medical centre.
Danjuma praised Prof. Amazigo’s character, emphasizing her ability to renew his trust in women managing public funds prudently. He highlighted her dedication to the TY Danjuma Foundation and acknowledged her leadership in the construction of the medical centre.
In his speech, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, pledged to safeguard the facility for the benefit of Enugu State residents. He commended Danjuma for his leadership and applauded Prof. Amazigo for initiating a project that would significantly benefit the people of Enugu.
Prof. Amazigo, CEO of Goodwill Medical Centre, outlined the centre’s objective to provide quality healthcare for all. She emphasized the facility’s commitment to offering low-cost treatment to indigent patients and charging standard medical fees for others. Additionally, Prof. Amazigo detailed plans to enroll 1000 or more indigent people into the National Health Insurance Authority/Group, Individual, Family Social Health Insurance Programme.
The initiative, costing approximately N15 million, aims to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the poor at an affordable rate of N15,000 per enrollee. The Goodwill Medical Centre stands as a testament to the impact of female-led initiatives in public service and community development.
