PROTOCOL
My very most respected Medical elders, Senior Colleagues, and Colleagues.
Firstly, I return all the glory to God Almighty for making a day like this come to reality. I will forever remain grateful.

By this time yesterday, the tension was high and the stake was also very high with visible palpitations and tachycardia. While some were sweating on the forehead anxiously waiting for the conclusion of the elections others who were unopposed were very calm and charting with electorates. But at the dip of the night the process was completed leading to the birth of a new leadership for our dear Association (for the obstetricians the birth was via a spontaneous vaginal delivery).

Throughout the electioneering process, I dare say it was fraught with challenges and difficulties. However, we ran a campaign with the mantra; The ALPHA APPROACH which focused on gains made in the past and lessons that could be useful for our future.

During the campaign, I promised to improve Doctor’s welfare, foster unity through sports, fight quackery and multiple taxation in the private sector as well as give concrete expression to the needs yearning and sincere aspiration of the young private practitioners whom we discovered to be very far away from the association. These promises, I intend to keep and live by intentional God helping me.

Indeed, the exercise births a new journey for us all; the NMA Rivers is one big family enough to contain us all.I am overwhelmed by your outpouring of love, trust, and confidence to my vision for NMA Rivers State. I want to say thank you to all who believed in this vision and keyed into it.

I must respectfully, congratulate my dear brother and colleague, Dr. Sofiri Peterside for showing great commitment and passion to serve. I salute your doggedness and you will be at the epicentre of this leadership. It was a contest of two good friends of which none is a misfit for the position.

Today, I dare say, there are no camps or divisions in NMA. We are one united body. I am an ardent believer in the AUDACITY OF UNITY.

To my fellow incoming SOC members, I congratulate you for your own victory which is still a victory for NMA. Dear colleagues in this new SOC, it will be all about service, service and service and the service starts now. As the clock clicks, our time is already counting. All hands will be on deck to work in earnest to deliver exceedingly and abundantly, above expectations for our people.

To the outgone SOC lead by Prof. Chizindu Alikor, I appreciate you for setting the pace for us, you have set the bars so high in many areas. We have no choice but to improve on the existing as leadership is a continuum.

Lastly, I owe sincere appreciation to my wife and lovely children. You understood the vision, rode on it with me, sacrificed for it, and understood the early rise and late bed time all in a bid to achieve a day like this. You, my wife and children are the best. I love you all so much. Thank you so much and God bless NMA RIVERS STATE.

Dr. Ebbi. D. Robinson

(Chairman, NMA Rivers State)