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By O'star Eze

100 beds, 100 Units of Foam, pillows, mattresses, fridges, bed sheets, were among the numerous items recently donated to Umueri General Hospital by Fidelity Bank PLC through the intervention of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.<!--more-->

Umueri General Hospital, the first General Hospital built through communal effort in Umueri had hitherto been lying in ruins as a result of the inter-communal crisis of 1995 and 1999 in the area.<!--more--><!--more-->

Governor Willie Obiano in his speech while on inspection tour of the facility, thanked the management of Fidelity Bank PLC for "fulfilling their promise." He also disclosed that the Fidelity Bank was also equipping Ekwulobia General Hospital, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.

Governor Obiano called on Ndi Anambra to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines against the spread of the virus and reiterated his administration's resolve to do everything within its power to contain the situation.

A visibly excited acting President of Umueri General Assembly (UGA), Chief Sunday Udalor noted that the gesture would return the lost glory of the hospital which used to be "the only General Hospital which catered for the health needs of the whole Omambala Area comprising present-day Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi and Ayamelum Local Government Areas."

Speaking during the official visit to the hospital by the govenor, Chief Udalor said, "In the 1970s, such sophisticated surgical operations as those of Hernia, Appendicitis, Pile as well as Paediatric and Gynaecological services were provided by this hospital.

"Unfortunately, this hospital suffered a setback following the inter-communal crises which broke out in 1995 and 1999.
It is against this background, Your Excellency, that the Elders, Youths and distinguished citizens of Umueri welcome you today to this essential facility.

"Your visit and the innumerable items – 100 Beds, 100 Units of Foam, pillows, mattresses, fridges, bed sheets, to mention but a few donated by Fidelity Bank PLC through your intervention, will go a long way in revitalizing this hospital."

The caretaker committee chairman of Umueri General Assembly also extolled his administration's efforts in the checking the tide of CoronaVirus in the state, the roads built as well as the ongoing airport project in the community.

In Udalor's words, "We greatly appreciate your donation of Rice and other food items as well as face masks and sanitizers which Your Excellency graciously doled out to our people. We cannot thank you enough for that gesture.

"Equally worth-commending is your return to the Anambra State Airport project domiciled in Umueri where work has resumed 24/7 to the chagrin of doubting Thomases who had dismissed that project as a political bait allegedly aimed at extorting votes from Ndi Umueri during your re-election bid.

"Ebubedike, you have done a lot for us. We vividly remember, among other things, the Avia Ama Umudiani-Ogbu-Mgbede-Nneyi Road, the appointments which you gave to our sons and daughters and what you expended in Umueri under the Community-Choose-Your-Project Scheme. May the good Lord continue to bless you and your family, Amen."

He however prayed the governor to use his Executive Fiat "to order a stop to the on-going proceedings at the Panel of Enquiry looking into the minor problem in our community."

"It is not dignifying that our Igwe will be dragged out to Awka that way. The elders of Umueri can settle that issue traditionally if His Excellency hands that matter over to them," said Udalor.