ODORBN Boss, Prof Uzodike Bows Out, Launches New Books

After eight years of meritorious service, Professor Ebele Bridget Uzodike has bowed out as Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of The Optometrists And Dispensing Opticians Registration Board Of Nigeria (ODORBN).

At a ceremony in Abuja organised to celebrate her stewardship at the board also captured her book launch titled “Understanding Geriatrics; Guidelines To Eye Examination For Primary Eyecare Practitioners”, and an award presentation to some staff members of the Board.

In a report of her stewardship in office as the third substantive Registrar/CEO of ODORBN between June 2015 -May 2023, Prof Uzodike expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Board. She revealed that on resumption of office, she was given the mandate to relocate the head office from Lagos to Abuja to ensure zonal offices are open in six geographical parts of the country.

“I set out five goals for myself and worked assiduously towards these goals. Management and I embarked on major transformation programme aimed at taking the Board to a higher level. Part of the programme included, completion of various projects designed to advance the growth of the agency, improve workers’ welfare, broaden internally generated revenue, reduce quacks in the system, improve institutional training, as well as generally enhance the practice of Optometry and Dispensing Opticianry in Nigeria.”

Among other achievements in the report, she said “The present management of the Board under my leadership, organised and carried out the first nationwide taskforce in the profession of Optometry and Dispensing Opticianry where we organised a one-year professional training for quacks in optical dispensing.

“Also in accordance with the Federal Government objective of working towards self-sustenance, we have increased the revenue base of the office through various activities initiated and carried out by the present administration of the Board.”

In a goodwill message, the President of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Obinna Awiaka commended Prof Ebele Bridget Uzodike for her diligence, dedication and professionalism.

He said her administration has significantly raised the standards in regulation, accreditation of new schools, registration and educational services in line with the existing laws establishing the Board.

“The entire members of the Nigerian Optometric Association are very proud of you for your pragmatic, professional and outstanding leadership qualities you exhibited during your reign. You have given direction, vision and purpose to the ODORBN.

“The introduction of an online CPD programme, accreditation of new Schools of Optometry, fight against quackery among others are giant testimonies of your stewardship while in office.

“The initiation of the magnificent edifice, ODORBN permanent site by your administration is a masterpiece that defied reality on ground. Your huge dream and determination for success and accomplishment is a virtue worthy of emulation. Congratulations on the completion of your tenure, and on the achievements you recorded while in office. I wish you greater heights.”

Author of her biography, Sam Gaza Timothy in his speech said: “When I was invited to consider doing her biography, I had no idea who I was going to meet. But my preliminary findings got me interested. Then my further investigations and interactions sank me in deeply. I was intrigued and inspired by the story of Prof. Ebele.

“I talked with more than 20 people besides herself, and every one of them had remarkable things to say about her. I was amazed! And I concluded, ‘This is a worthwhile endeavor. The world needs stories like this; I’ll see this through!”

“The second book we are launching today and which I have the honour and privilege of reviewing right now is titled “On A Mission: The Story of One of Africa’s Pioneer Optometrists”.

“It is the endorsed biography of Prof. (Mrs.) Ebele Bridget Uzodike, who in 1988 was 1 of the 16 pioneer doctor of optometry graduates in all of Africa and over the last 8years has been the Registrar and CEO of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).

“On A Mission” is comprised of 6 chapters, a Prologue and an Epilogue, all contained on 215 pages – counting with the preliminary pages.”

“I must say that as a writer and publisher, few of the many books I’ve been part of publishing have had the kind of strong impression that this particular book, “On A Mission”, has had on me. And the reason is simple: The subject of the book, Prof. Ebele Uzodike.”