By Amaechi Agbo, Enugu

Today, members of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT community and indeed scholars and researchers from across the country and beyond, will converge either physically or virtually, at the ESUT College of Medicine Auditorium, Enugu for the 38^th Inaugural Lecture of the university to be delivered by erudite Professor Umezurike Hughes Okafor.  

A Professor of medicine and a consultant physician with subspecialty training in renal medicine, Professor Okafor will be dissecting the topic, “Would You Like to Live a Healthy Life? Then Keep the Purifier Purified” at the ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu commencing from 1pm.

Interesting facts about today’s lecture are that Professor Okafor will be recording many “Firsts” with the inaugural lecture as he becomes the first Professor to deliver inaugural lecture in the faculty of Clinical Medicine and 2^nd in College of Medicine ESUT as well as also being the first professor of Medicine to deliver inaugural lecture from Enugu East senatorial zone.

Prof Okafor who has cut his teeth in his academic career, is also the first nephrologist to insert tunneled central venous catheter in South East Nigeria. He pioneered the establishment of haemodialysis center at ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu and was the first head of the unit. He is also the first indigenous Professor of Medicine in ESUT.

The Inaugural Lecturer is a member of several national and international professional bodies such as Nigeria Medical Association, NMA; National Association of Nephrology; Assistant Chairman Nigeria renal registry; Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria; Transplant Association of Nigeria; African Association of Nephrology; International Society of Nephrology; Hypertensive Society of Nigeria and Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria.

Apart from being a human capital builder and a mentor, Prof Umezurike Okafor has served the university, Nigeria and humanity in different capacities including serving as current dean, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Associate Dean Faculty of Clinical Medicine Head of Department as well as being a member of 19 different university committees.

He is currently carrying out free screening for kidney disease in Enugu which holds on World Kidney Day (observed every 2^nd Thursday in Match) from 2019 till date. He conducts annual Medical outreach in Eziokwe Amurri since 2005; Medical Outreach Nigerian Correction center Port Harcourt annually from 2021 till date. Sponsored 1st Rural Electrification and sank borehole at Umuchoke Eziokwe Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government; Sponsor of Prof Okafor UH prize for best graduating student in department of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu 2018 till date, among others.

Today, the academics, researchers, industrialists, and all segments of the human society will converge at the ESUCOM Auditorium to cross fertilize ideas on how to live a healthier life.