As the days draw near for the conduct of Elections to herald a new dispensation for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State Branch, the exalted position of the State Chairman of the association is in the spotlight. Such an exalted office is expected to be occupied by someone who has the requisite experience, administrative prowess and the solid leadership acumen required to lead those saddled with the responsibility of saving lives in Plateau State.
Though erroneously assumed to be a group of people who have very little time for any other activity besides their job of saving lives, Nigerian Doctors have demonstrated that they posses the leadership sagacity Nigeria has been yearning for. Little wonder NMA elections have over the years provided a much acclaimed arena where the creme-de-la-creme of the Medical Profession present themselves for qualitative scrutiny, under the most organized platform of professionals;to be elected for the demanding and meticulous job of leading intellectuals.
It is on this premise that a well trained doctor, gallant comrade, intelligent gentleman and administrator per excellence has presented himself to shoulder the onerous responsibility of leading this group of foremost sophisticated and cerebral persons on the Plateau.
This gentleman who has had leadership bestowed on him since his nascent years and has excelled notably during his academic sojourn from his early days till date, was born into the humble and respected family of Honorable William & Mrs Elizabeth Audu on the 7th of August 1986 at the Plateau Specialist Hospital.
Dr Bapigaan Mark William Audu, began pre-primary education at St Piran’s Church School,Jos and later completed his primary education at the Unijos Women Association, Nursery and Primary School, Jos in 1996. He proceeded straight to St. John’s College,Jos and Government Science School Kuru respectively between 1996 and 2002 were he passed his WASSCE & NECO Standard Examinations with distinctions.
Having excelled remarkably in his first attempt at the JAMB/UME Examinations, he secured admission to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 2002 to study Medicine & Surgery. As a resilient, determined and focused young man who studied hard through the academic hurdles and frustrations of the Nigerian Educational system orchestrated by series of industrial disputes between the Nigerian Government and University Lecturers, Dr Bapigaan William Audu bagged his M.B.B.S in 2010 as a licensed Medical Doctor to the glory of God and the joy of family & friends.
He began his Medical Career at BIBA Hospital and Maternity,Tudun Wada, Kaduna.He began work as a House Officer at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital but industrial dispute between doctors,other health workers and the State Government necessitated his commencement of Housemanship at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) between 2011 to 2012 where he also distinguished himself as a thorough bred doctor; and upon completion of which he proceeded for the mandatory one year National Youth Service (2011-2012) at Okiti-Pupa, Ondo State, South West Nigeria.
Following a successful NYSC service year,he worked for a few months as the Medical Director, Malumfashi Clinic& Maternity, Malumfashi,Katsina State from where he applied for and gained full employment with the Plateau State Hospitals Management Board which he took up in July,2013 and has remained on the Plateau ever since. After few years of dedicated service, demonstration of high competence at work as well as leadership & unique organizational skills at the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, he was posted to the General Hospital at Angware, Jos East LGA, as the Medical Superintendent of the Health facility, and later departed for JUTH to begin Residency Training in the field of Anatomical Pathology & Forensic Medicine (formerly Histopathology) as a Supernumerary Resident.
He is a Principal Medical Officer with the Plateau State Hospitals Management Board and a Supernumerary Senior Resident at the Department of Anatomical Pathology& Forensic Medicine of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Having gone through series of rigorous tutelage and apprenticeship under reputable and competent hands within and outside the field of medicine,his versatility and dedication to performance are true testaments of the quality of mentorship and leadership experiences he has tapped and learned from.
Apart form his career as a Medical Doctor, Dr Bapi has been actively involved in upholding Human Rights particularly of vulnerable groups (the female child and women).He is also a Youth Advocate and grassroot mobilizer.
He has successfully served as a Member of the Central Working Committee of the Plateau State Youth Council, representing the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), 2017 to 2020 where he distinguished himself by convening the maiden edition of the Plateau Youth Health Symposium in 2019 as well as making laudable submissions on the floor of the parliament to improve the health and well being of the youth constituency and society as a whole.
He has also previously served as Member of the Steering Committee, Coalition of Plateau Professionals (CPP).and member of Council,
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)Jos Zone.
Dr Bapigaan after working assiduously for the growth of the Medical association and her members as a floor member for over five(5) years was elected the Public Relations Officer of NMA Plateau for the period 2018-2020;with an improved media visibility for NMA and greater engagements with journalists on the Plateau as some of the legacies he left behind as PRO. He is a foundation member and Pioneer Secretary of the National Association of Government General Medical &Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP),Plateau State Branch since 2019. He was returned in 2020 as the Secretary of the State Officers’ Committee, NMA Plateau where he is currently serving.
Following an excellent pendancy of tenure as the Scribe of the association that has witnessed novel,visible and palpable projects for members,he has provided the perfect secretariat springboard for the association to thrive and for the SOC to deliver on its mandate;it is only just and fair that Dr Bapi who is on a upward trajectory to build on previous gains of, and open up new frontiers for the association should be given a chance to serve in the spirit of merit,equity and fairness.
Some of the other positions he has held within the Nigerian Medical Association include:
-Member,2016 NMA Plateau AGM Planning Committee.
-Member,NMA Plateau History and Documentation Committee.
-Secretary,2019 NMA Plateau AGM Planning Committee.
-Coordinator,North-Central Zone,NMA National Committee on Adolescent Health (2020-2022)
-Secretary, Conference Organizing Committee,NMA.
– National 61ST Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (TinCity 2021) hosted for the first time in Jos.
-Foundation & Current member,JUTH Suicide Response Unit.
-Secretary,NMA National Committee on Annual Lecture Series.
-Medical Doctor,Jos City Marathon(2019).
– Secretary,Plenary Session,Middle Belt Youth Council National Summit(2019).
-Foundation & Current member,JUTH Suicide Response Unit(2019- date)
Deputy Chief Resident, Department of Anatomical Pathology,JUTH(January- June,2021).
– Chief Resident, Department of Anatomical Pathology and Forensic Medicine,JUTH(July,2021- February,2022).
– Chairman, Student and Young Doctors’ Committee,NMA Plateau.
-Member, Doctors’ Negotiation Team for improvement of Doctors’ Conditions of service (2020-2022)
-Member, Doctors’ Negotiation Team for implementation of the 2019 COVID-19 Hazard & Inducement Allowance for health workers on the Plateau.
Dr Bapi is an avid reader,a poet,novelist, football fan(and analyst),master of ceremony,sportsman, registered hunter,community leader and grassroot mobilizer. He has written several essays,public articles and commentaries on health and other contemporary issues as well as making countless appearances on radio and tv programs.
He is happily married to his heartrob; Mrs Sakan Bapigaan. In addition,he has testified several times on the side of the prosecution in cases of Child Sexual Molestation as well as Rape which has led to conviction of offenders and brought succour and closure for the affected girls, women and their families. He has attended several conferences and is the recipient of multiple awards.
As the youngest candidate vying for this position,Dr Bapi’s candidature resonates fully and is in tandem with the clamour by majority of Nigerians that believe now is the time for a new generation of younger leaders to be given a level playing ground to make a difference.
Indeed,NMA Plateau and her members have a unique opportunity of proving that they believe that no one is ‘too young to lead’. During the course of his residency and in all offices he has been privileged to serve in,Dr Bapi has always carried younger colleagues and students along,helping them to aspire and rise to the Rubicon of their callings in life;while at the same time, offering diligent service to senior colleagues &teachers.
The youthful vigour, mindfulness and passion Dr Bapi’s leadership will bring to the table are unquestionable.
His track record of people-centred leadership,active and participatory followership through the years,his unique organizational prowess, eloquence,courage to speak truth to power, enormous social capital,passion to better the lot of NMA & her members as well as his uncommon ability to deliver huge results even under immense pressure stand him shoulders high above any competition and has put him in the best stead to pilot the affairs of a foremost professional organization as NMA is; and reposition the association for greater exploits and impact.
Having accumulated unquantifiable quantum of administrative dexterity, sagacity, professional acumen, vibrancy,wisdomand political astuteness from serving many professional and sociopolitical leaders,Dr Bapi is indeed the most suitable candidate for the position of the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau State Branch. He has been tried and tested,his quality is visible and palpable.
Medical and Dental Practitioners on the Plateau can feel confident in voting for pedigree,reward for hardwork and commitment to the true and noble ideals that form the foundations of NMA.
Dr Bapi is without any iota of doubt, the right man for the job.
A vote for him is a Vote for pedigree,hard work,resilience and singularity of purpose.
Why wait till tomorrow to do what you can do today?
The future is NOW…
Vote Dr Bapigaan for a purposeful,committed, result oriented and service-driven leadership.
Nigeria Star News 