NCDC New Boss Charges Staff on Achieving Mandate

Martins Ifijeh

The newly appointed National Coordinator, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Andreas Ihekweazu has charged the staff of the Centre to work toward achieving the mandate of the organisation.

Ihekeazu made the call earlier in the week in Abuja while taking over the mantle of leadership from Prof. Abdusallami Nasidi who is now the acting Executive Director, Eco­nomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Re­gional Surveillance and Dis­ease Control Centre (RCDC).

In his words: ‘’Today is the beginning of the journey; I invite you to join us with open minds so that we can deliver our mandate. I am not interested in anything else rather than the mandate Mr. President gave me.’’

He charged the staff to be more alive to their responsibilities, stressing that they should brace up to the challenges of the times so as to be able to tackle emerging diseases as well as to take NCDC to greater heights.

He assured that he would operate an open door policy and be impartial to all the staff of the Centre irrespective of religion, tribal and political leanings.

Dr. Ihekeazu assured that he would consolidate on the achievements left by his predecessor, adding that he would not leave any stone unturned to making sure that the gains achieved so far are sustained.

While commending Prof. Abdusallami Nasidi for his leadership qualities and the active role he played in establishing the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, he assured him that the Centre would continue to tap from his wealth of experience having been the founding father and the pioneer National Coordinator of the Centre.

Earlier, the outgoing National Coordinator, Prof. Abdusallami Nasidi thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing capable hand to take over the leadership of the NCDC.

He however urged the staff of the Centre to extend the same kind of cooperation and support they gave him to his successor.