Dr Freeman Jabengo Egbe inducted into the Fellowship of the Institute of Human & Natural Resources

Efio-Ita Nyok|21 August 2017 

Dr Freeman Jabengo, who doubles as the Head of Department of Internal Medicine and Deputy Chief Medical Director of General Hospital Calabar was, Saturday, inducted into the Fellowship of the Institute of Human and Natural Resources of Nigeria (IHNR) at the Diamond Hall of Transcorp Hotels, Calabar. Dr Jabengo was also awarded the prestigious Integrity in Professionalism Award (IPA) 2017 NegroidHaven can report authoritatively. 

According to IHNR, an organisation committed to creating awareness on the need to harness the nation’s useful human and natural resources and constituted in 1966 by intellectuals from University of Nigeria, Nsukka Dr Jabengo was duly recognised for the induction and award as a result of the marked quality of responsibility and integrity he had demonstrated over time in the medical profession. 

While presenting the IPA 2017 award to Dr Egbe, the Zonal Coordinator (south-south) of IHNR, Dr O. M. Munonye, explained that after conducting a handful of research in the state, the institute deemed it worthy to induct as well as confer the IPA 2017 on Dr Jabengo. According to him, ‘We must admit that this award is only a recognition of the degree of relevance you have etched in your profession hitherto. As such, I am permitted to inform you that sequel to this decoration, you are free to use the abbreviations FHNR IPA against your name. By the powers vested on me by the National Order-in-Council, this plaque I am presenting to you testifies that Dr Freeman Jabengo has been approved for Fellowship and Integrity in Professionalism award 2017’.

The obviously elated recipient, Dr Jabengo, who is also the state chairman, National Association of Government General Medical & Dental Practitioner – Cross River state chapter (NAGGMDP-CRS), while addressing journalists shortly before the close of the ceremony, expressed his delight at the recognition while promising that he was inspired by this singular act by IHNR to do more. His words, ‘When I was informed by the Institute of Human and Natural Resources of the decision of the National Council-in-Order to induct me into the Fellowship of the Institute as well as confer on me the IPA 2017 award, I was a little taken aback because I was so surprised that they could identify me in the little corner at General Hospital Calabar. I barely knew them. I feel this compulsion inside to invest even more in improving human livelihood. Thank you’. 

Earlier, while addressing the to-be inductees, Dr Munonye said thus: ‘I come with a message from the Institute of Human and Natural Resources. And this is the message: In whatever society you find yourself, struggle to have two things —responsibility and relevance. Relevance here implies doing exceptional things in the right way. Responsibility is telling oneself the truth in the pursuit of doing one’s profession.’

The occasion which was divided into the primary event, that is, Induction into the Fellowship of FIHNR/Conferment of Integrity in Professionalism Award IPA 2017 as well as a brief Lecture (the secondary event), saw the induction of a handful of residents and indigenes of the state, namely, Mr Henry Igwe Igwe, Dr Okey Oyama Ovat, Ntufam H. S. Edet, Amb Azum Ayang Ayang DG Border Commission, Njeme, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Njeme, Mike Ogar, Engr Mrs Ulafor Justina nse, Comr Asanya Asuquo, Professor Imoh Jackson Ekpo, Comr Ita Abang (Associate), Mrs Helen Egodo, etc.