The Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, RSUTH, *Prof. Chizindu A. Alikor*, and members of the hospital’s management team received the National President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, *Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman*, during a courtesy visit to the hospital.
Also in attendance were the Crowned Prince of NARD *Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko*, *Dr. Ezoke Epoke*, Immediate Past Chairman of the NMA Cross River State Chapter, the Chairman of NMA Rivers State, *Prof. Ureh Oparaodu*, and the leadership of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, RSUTH Chapter led by *Dr. Harold Biriowu* and other executives.
Declaring RSUTH a “shining national model,” Dr. Suleiman gave a glowing assessment of the hospital’s administrative and clinical achievements. He described Prof. Alikor as “a shining example on the mountain top” and a highly sagacious leader, noting that RSUTH is on a remarkable upward trajectory.
The NARD President expressed astonishment at the hospital’s ability to maintain uninterrupted 24-hour power supply at a time when many federal teaching hospitals across Nigeria are grappling with prolonged blackouts due to unpaid electricity bills.
“Nothing works in a hospital without power,” Dr. Suleiman stated. “RSUTH’s steady electricity ensures that clinical procedures, diagnostics, and patient care remain completely undisturbed.”
He further highlighted RSUTH’s *over 25 professional accreditations* across West African and national postgraduate medical colleges as evidence of its academic and clinical depth.
In recognition of staff welfare, Dr. Suleiman applauded the hospital and His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, for having zero financial complaints from ARD. He specifically cited the smooth implementation of “skipping” allowances, prompt payment of entitlements, annual Christmas bonuses, and what he described as the country’s highest *Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF*
The NARD President also commended infrastructure improvements, including a brand-new bus provided to ARD by the state governor, an approved ARD secretariat scheduled for unveiling in December, and a clean, litter-free clinical environment.
As a mark of recognition, Dr. Suleiman announced that NARD will present a *Special Recognition Award* to the CMD at NARD’s upcoming *Annual General Meeting, AGM*. He also revealed that Rivers State will make history by hosting NARD’s Annual
General Meeting in January 2027 to enable resident doctors nationwide to study the RSUTH model firsthand.
“If all heads of healthcare institutions behaved like the CMD, Prof. Alikor, there would be no need for industrial friction, or even for NARD to exist in Nigeria,” he concluded.
Responding, Prof. Alikor welcomed the NARD leadership and commended the association’s courage and commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and patient welfare.
The CMD credited the hospital’s sweeping reforms to the political will of the Rivers State Governor, *His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara*, describing him as a leader who “deeply loves healthcare professionals and is passionately committed to building a world-class health sector.”
On power, Prof. Alikor explained that ensuring 24-hour electricity was a capital-intensive but non-negotiable priority he tackled within his first month in office.
“RSUTH’s power is sustained almost entirely, 99.99%, through our *Internally Generated Revenue, IGR*,” he said. “
To eliminate administrative bottlenecks, Prof. Alikor said RSUTH is currently test-running an *Electronic Medical Records, EMR*, system in the Family Medicine and Pharmacy units, with the goal of transitioning the entire hospital to a paperless workflow.
“Our target is to ensure a patient completes registry, specialist consultation, and pharmacy pickup in under one hour,” he stated.
Welcoming the January 2027 national meeting, the CMD urged NARD’s young leaders to prepare for future administrative roles as CMDs, Vice Chancellors, and Director Generals of government agencies.
“Carry your energy and vision into broader leadership spheres to build a stronger healthcare sector for the nation,” he charged.
