By Ikechukwu Odu

A Professor of Paediatrics at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof. Uchenna Ekwochi, on Thursday, identified inability to initiate and sustain respiration (asphyxia), prematurity and infection as leading causes of newborn mortality.

Prof. Ekwochi, who is the Provost of the Enugu State University College of Medicine (ESUCOM) explained that if the process of birth is laborious, the newborn may suffer a multi-systemic stress leading to asphyxiation which may cost the life of the newborn.

He made the disclosure while discussing the topic “The Travails of the Minor of Minors in Our Resource Limited Settings: Unveiling the Neglected Roadmap to Addressing the Giants and Taming the Tide,” as the 46th inaugural lecturer of ESUT, at the capacity-filled College Auditorium in Parklane, Enugu State.

In the case of premature birth, he explained that the travails would be enormous for the newborn due to the immaturity of the organs and systems to assume physiologic functions to sustain life independent of its mother.

A renowned National Trainer in Newborn health, with 22 years of experience in paediatrics, Ekwochi equally explained that if the process of delivery and care in the child’s immediate environment is not optimal, the baby may become infected (neonatal sepsis.)

Prof Ekwochi further stressed that the three aforementioned factors stand as giants claiming the lives of the newborns globally, adding that Sub-saharan Africa, and Southern and Central Asia bear the heaviest burden of newborn deaths.

He also identified poor parental background, rural births, maternal age and no maternal education as associated causes of high newborn mortalities in the country.

While calling for the establishment of World Asphyxia Day to draw global attention and awareness o the scoruge, he recommended the re-accreditation of all maternities and facilities used for delivery, government subsidization and regulation of cost of child birth in approved delivery centres.

In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, thanked the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for his continued support to the Institution, stating that ESUT boasts of state-of-the-art equipment, especially in medical disciplines courtesy of the state government’s support.

While commending the lecturer for a good outing, the Vice Chancellor used the occasion to re emphasize the importance of inaugural lectures, stating that they serve as public acknowledgement of professors’ academic achievements, as they afford the lecturers the opportunity to showcase their research, innovations, engagements and teaching endeavours as well as their future research plans.

He also thanked the Chairman of the ESUT Governing Council, Sir, Chinyeaka Ohaa, and another member of the Council, Sir Dr. Innocent Akuvue, for their support for academic excellence through N1000,000, N500, 000 largesse to every inaugural lecturer.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Secretary to Enugu State Government SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia feted the Inaugural Lecturer for the rich content, and excellent delivery of his lecture and the ways forward.

The SSG noted that the lecture was good enough to provoke government’s attention at State and national levels and therefore called on the lecturer to liaise with the most outstanding Vice Chancellor in Nigeria (Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie) to package a proposal on the need for “Asphyxia Day” to the State Government for further discussions.

While also congratulating the lecturer, the chairman of ESUT Inaugural Lectures Committee, Prof. Mellitus Ezeamaenyi, stated that frequent academic discourses such as inaugural lectures have greatly improved the visibility and webo metric rankings of the University.

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By Amaechi Agbo

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi will deliver the 46^th Inaugural Lecture of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

Dr Ekwochi, a Professor of Paediatrics Medicine (Neonatology Subspecialty) and consultant, is the Provost, ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM).

Prior to his appointment on March 12, 2024 as the Provost, ESUT College of Medicine, Dr Ekwochi was a Paediatrician consultant with the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, ESUTH. He equally served in several committees in the College, University and the State. He once served as a member of the Enugu State Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, also delivered some invited public lectures and seminars.

Fondly called the ESUCOM IGP – Internally Generated Provost – Professor Ekwochi’s academic certificates resonate. He holds the following certification: (FMCPaed, MBBS, Cert. Leadership and Management in Health, University of Washington; Certified in Logistics and Supply Chain- ESUT, Multimix Academy.

He qualified as a Medical Doctor in February 2003 from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and obtained a Fellowship of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Faculty of Paediatrics in November 2011.

He was appointed Consultant Paediatrician (Neonatology unit) in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) in December 2011. He has authored and co-authored 94 journal articles in (Google Scholar Metrics; Citation 1659, h-index 24, i-10-index 34; Research Gate; 42,415 READS, 1,149 Citations) as at 23/01/2025.

The Provost also participated in peer review of journal manuscripts, supervision of postgraduate dissertations and as an Examiner at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels especially in the Faculty of Paediatrics, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

Prof Ekwochi is a clinical and academic Paediatrician with special interest in Neonatal Care and have collaborated with several local and international researchers. He co-invented a special tape in Neonatal care for identification and care of Low Birth Weights babies (Patented as ‘’NUA Tape’’ by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) under the Patents and Designs Act; CAP 344 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 with Certificate No RP:NG/P/2018/135).

He is a National Trainer in new-born health and have participated in developing some important technical documents like the “New-born Action Plan” for two (2) states of the federation (Enugu and Ebonyi States) and also in the development of the Enugu State Quality of Care (QOc) Operational Plan, 2022.

Before his appointment as the Provost, he served as the Head of department of Paediatrics and the Secretary General of the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, ESUTH chapter. He equally served in several committees in the College, University and the State. He once served as a member of the Enugu State Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, also delivered some invited public lectures and seminars.

Professor Uchenna Ekwochi is also an award winner, as he has won some grants including important academic accolades such as Best Lecturer (Clinical Department) ESUT College of Medicine 2012/2013 session (Certified by the University governing council).

Prof Ekwochi’s Inaugural Lecture, the 4^th to be delivered by the ESUCOM Professors, will centre on the theme: “The Travails of the Minor or Minors in our Resource Limited Setting: Unveiling the Neglected Roadmap to Addressing the Giants and Taming the Tide” will hold at the College Auditorium, commencing from 11am.

A National Trainer in new-born health, Prof Ekwochi have participated in developing some important technical documents like the “New-born Action Plan” for two (2) states of the federation (Enugu and Ebonyi States) and also in the development of the Enugu State Quality of Care (QOc) Operational Plan, 2022.  

It is worthy to note that on March 12, 2025, the IGP marked his one year in office as Provost, ESUT College of Medicine and rolled out his transformative achievements in the College within 365 days.

Prof Ekwochi, the 46^th Inaugural Lecturer, will not only be delivering his lecture on May 8 which is expected to be expository, but will also be “inducted” into the “Distinguished Professors” Hall of Fame in ESUT.

He will also be the 4^th Inaugural Lecturer in the ESUT College of Medicine.

The 46th Inaugural Lecture is coming less four weeks after the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT, Professor Charles Chime delivered the 45th Inaugural Lecture at the Barr Dr Peter Mbah Auditorium at ESUT Main Campus, Agabni

ESUT Monitor Newspaper will be your eyes, ears and nose on the day as we will bring you live coverages of the lecture via our social media platforms.

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