CHEERS and JEERS from ASABA 2014

The NOA 38th Annual General Meeting/Conference has come and gone. But there were some high points and low points. Here are the cheers and jeers. Feel free to add yours. Enjoy your reading.

CHEERS!

Time Management

The LOC of the NOA Asaba conference proved to the world that we can do without African time. When the LOC  Chairman, Dr.Isaac Ejebe hinted on one the Optometry Facebook groups that the organizers of the conference would be time conscious, it seemed it was like one of those stories. But surprisingly almost all the events started right on time and there was very goodtime management. Tbe opening ceremony started right on time and the dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor was there on time. Thumbs up to Delta State. This is one good thing all the state chapters should borrow.

Scientific Sessions
The sessions were well attended. Although there were no simultaneous scientific presentations like at Lagos and Abuja; presenters were made to keep to time. Presenters gave good account of themselves.

Barbeque Night

If not for the rain that spoilt things, the singer and singer cum stand-up comedian were full of quality. though it was short-lived, the gyration master made a big impact. There was enough for all.


NOA Elections
Apart from the controversies prior to the elections, the electoral committee, in the course of the conference, gave a good account of themselves. The elections witnessed a lot of innovations with the Dr.Echendu team coming up with innovations, setting the pace for others to follow. For the first time in NOA elections we saw posters, handbills and more.

Conference Certificates

The conference certificates were available for all to pick immediately after the AGM. In the past they were available on the gala nite or after the conference/AGM. However, some loopholes were evident as some participants could not get theirs while some people who registered for the conference but could not come had one ready for them!

JEERS!

Feeding/Feeding Arrangement

A close look at the pictures of people lined up under the sun in order to get their food in the buffet; looked like a market square. More serving points would have corrected this anomaly.

There was no tea break. This was a break from the past, but not a nice break anyway. And then during the AGM, there was gala! Well, some folks said it was a way of reminding all that there was going to be a gala night later in the day.

Depth of Scientific Sessions

Though the scientific sessions were good  but only a few, yes very few reflected the theme of the conference which centred on advocacy.

Swipe Cards

On the day for registration and arrival of guests before the conference began properly, delegates were made to activate the swipe cards which they had either obtained from the NOA conference at Lagos in 2012 or from Umuahia 2013 conference. Likewise, those that had lost theirs, never had any or were told that their old cards was bad were made to pay 500 naira to obtain new swipe cards. Activating these swipe cards were exhausting as delegates lined up for some hours  waiting for their turn.

In between these cheers and jeers, some developments were worth analyzing.

#TeamEchendu

Dr.Damian Echendu arrives at the venue of the conference before the commencement of the conference/AGM amidst other optometrists.








Never before in the history of NOA elections has such enthusiasm and organization been seen. I am talking about the kind of support that Dr.Damian Echendu had, prior to the elections. Observing the kind of mobilization he had; it was not just a campaign, it was a mass movement. Before, he could get on the microphone on the manifesto evening, his admirers and supporters were already cheering. It was defeaning, and so it took his own pleas and admonitions from the ELECO chairman Dr.Ebere Uzodike to calm his supporters. It was as if Barak Obama wanted to address Americans. And in the audience, I could hear someone say,

"Even if Echendu just holds the microphone to his lips and stands there for the allotted time without uttering a word. He will still win."

The social media especially Fcebook was awash with his point men who gave reasons, urging Optometrists all over Nigeria to vote for this man. His admirers cut across the young and the old. Interestingly, many Optometrists who had took a non-partisan stand especially older Optometrists, had Echendu, the man who had done so well in NOA Abuja in their hearts.                                                                                                                    #TeamEchendu branded T-Shirt

Dr.Echendu himself was not new to social media. He had been fond of giving useful news, links and information to colleagues and even uploading scientific presentations. However, his rival, Dr.Ralph Akpalaba who had not been social media savvy, also rose to the challenge and was active on Facebook prior to the elections. Dr.Akpalaba gave an outstanding oration and his achievements in the Optometry department of UNIBEN will always stand the test of time.

Only Financially Up to Date Members attended the AGM and exercised their franchise in the elections.

This move although criticized by many will go a long way to challenge NOA members to ensure that they pay up their NOA dues and ensure that their ODORBN license is up to date.

The AGM

The Annual General Meeting at the Asaba conference unlike most others gave more room for Optometrists both young and old to air their views. Our commendations go to the embattled past NOA president Dr.Ikechukwu Nwakuche who gave all, a level playing ground at the conference. He also handled the controversy he had faced prior to the conference maturely. One hopes that this would be the last to be heard on the issue.

Interestingly, the AGM showed that younger optometrists who are the ones mainly bearing the brunt of hardship in the society are increasingly finding their voice.

Lastly, we all had a cause to smile

Finally, just as the LOC Chairman of the NOA Asaba 2014 conference, Dr.Isaac Ejebe kept on reassuring all, despite whatever shortfalls that may have been experienced, Optometrists had a cause to smile. And our amiable Optometrists below left no one in doubt as they smiled...

                         Dr. Claire Esenwah, Dr.Bernadeine Ekpenyong, Dr. Anne Ebri and other amiable female Optometrists in

a cheerful mood.

 

PICTURE  CREDIT: Dr.(s) Anene Chukwuemeka, Feix Olafisoye, Eugene Ifeanyi, Okey Egboluche