Colleagues and friends of Dr. Jaf Momoh, the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of National Hospital, Abuja (NHA) have showered encomium on him as he prepares to bow out of service.
Reports have that Momoh will be retiring from office on Tuesday after eight years of meritorious service at the helms of affairs at the hospital.
A cross section of colleagues and friends, who spoke with our correspondent on the sidelines of a novelty football match in his honour on Sunday in Abuja, said Momoh was an outstanding boss who left an indelible mark in the hospital.
Dr Yahaya Adamu, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi said it was a great privilege for him to have participated in the match in honour of the outgoing CMD, adding that “Momoh is a team player”.
“Indeed, I was also a management staff of the NHA before I was appointed as the MD, FMC in Keffi.
“Dr Momoh and I work closely together at the Exco of the Committee of Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors where he had been our chairman, while I was the treasurer.
“He is a man of reputable character and dignity, a goal-getter and someone pleasant to be with; I enjoyed working with him.
“Even though I wasn’t in town, I had to travel down to Abuja to be part of this event. I did this because of the love and respect I have for him,’’ Adamu said.
Dr Aisha Umar, the Director of Clinical Services at the NHA said that the event organised by the management and staff of the hospital, was to mark the exit of an icon.
Umar, who doubles as the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) said that the event was also aimed at ensuring a healthy and fit workforce.
“As medical practitioners, we do advise our patients to engage in one form of exercise or the other regularly. Therefore, we don’t have an option but to practice what we preach.
“We succeeded in bringing together the team that worked closely with our outgoing CMD in the board room to come out and engage in some form of exercise.
“This is a good thing and also a way of showing the staff of the hospital and our friends that exercising is a very useful tool in maintaining good health,’’ Umar she said.
Also, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, the Spokesman of the NHA said the CMD was a blessing and had done very well for the hospital.
“He has been there for eight years and recorded a lot of outstanding achievements during his time, and we thank God that he is bowing out of the system in a very fantastic way.
“All the staff as you can see are excited to be here to witness this football match between friends of Momoh and Super Eagles All Stars as well as the National Hospital team and FMC Keffi.
“We are all here to rejoice with him and this is one of the major events ahead of his official retirement on Tuesday,’’ Haastrup said.
Momoh in his response, appreciated friends and staff for the honour, adding that it was a testament to the fact that he performed well during his time at the hospital.
“It is a great honour and a double one indeed that I am also physically fit to participate in the match being organised in my honour as the outgoing CMD of the NHA.
“This shows that if you do well, people will appreciate you, as most of the people that participated in the first novelty match were friends of the NHA.
“This means they were either our former patients, patient’s relations or relations of staff or friends generally who have had something to do with the national hospital at one time or the other.
“So, this is a proof to the fact that if you relate well with people, take care of them when they are sick and also attend to the welfare of your staff, they will appreciate you even on your exit day, “Momoh said.
NAN also reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of trophies to the winners of the friendly matches at the FIFA Goal Project, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.
The first novelty match saw Team Dr Jaf Momoh thrashing Super Eagles All Stars 3-0, with the outgoing CMD grabbing a brace and Umar adding a third goal late in the game.
Momoh was presented with the highest goal scorer award.
The final match of the day was a tough one between NHA and FMC Keffi, which ended in favour of NHA.
Mike Okafor scored the only goal of the match, just five minutes from stoppage time, converting from the penalty spot to hand his team a narrow 1-0 victory at the end of a pulsating encounter.
Meanwhile, Coach of National Hospital, Sam Yakubu said, “we are grateful to God, first of all, for life and for making us to see this day.
“We are also grateful to the management of NHA for giving us this platform to showcase our talents.
“The victorious team was a combination of both clinical and administrative staff of the hospital and the harmony in the team was key to our victory today,’’ Yakubu said.