By Samuel Igbetua (In FCT Abuja)
In spite of misgivings and low marks of the political class today, there are still men and women of honour and integrity that could be singled out in terms of moral uprightness and accomplishments over the years. There are still a handful of Nigerians who have demonstrated capacity, competence and sustained unblemished records of service to country and humanity.
Among such notable persons in our clime today is Senator Anthony George Manzo, a Surgeon of international repute, Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), England, an accomplished Diplomat, distinguished parliamentarian and a fine gentleman. Dr Manzo is not among those born with silver spoon; but one of those who achieved greatness through dint of hard work, perseverance and determination to excel.
Born in 1958 in a remote part of Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State, Manzo rose from obscurity to prominence. He was a Commissioner for Health in Taraba State, Chairman, Advisory Medical Committee of Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja. He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the State of Israel before his election into the Senate in 2007.
A good spirited and highly industrious leader with an extensive national and international experience. Senator Manzo was Chief of Staff to Senator David Mark as President of the 7th Senate between 2011 and 2015.
Manzo is a proactive leader with a broad managerial, motivational abilities and outstanding memoir of excellence in handling responsibilities. He is an innovative and result-oriented professional with extensive planning and negotiation skills.
A gifted child of a kind , Manzo earned all his academic laurels through scholarship. He got his First School Leaving Certificate in 1971 from Mohammed Nya Primary School, Jalingo and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Jalingo where he graduated with distinction in the West Africa School Certificate Examinations in 1976.
He gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, Nigeria where he obtained Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1982.
As part of the prerequisite for medical practice for all newly qualified Medical Doctors, Dr Manzo did his Housemanship at Yola Specialist Hospital in 1982/83 where he displayed exceptional skills in the management of his patients. He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Abakaliki in 1984 as a Medical Officer. During his service year, he contributed immensely towards the eradication of guinea worm infestation which was ravaging the people in Abakaliki in the present Ebonyi State.
In his quest for specialization and excellence in medical practice, Manzo proceeded for further training at Edinburgh Post-Graduate Board of Medicine, United Kingdom in 1990.
A result-oriented Manzo was Registrar, Orthopaedics and Trauma at Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital/Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh in 1989, Registrar at the City Hospital Nottingham and Addenbrokes. He was also Locum Senior Registrar/Lecturer, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh in early 90s, Registrar, General Surgery, Victoria Hospital, Kirckaldy, Scotland in the 90s; where he served in the surgical unit of the 650 bed Fife hospital. He carried out a vast amount of general surgical works, including some interest in paediatric and vascular surgery.
He was HOD Surgery, Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Nigeria from April 1996 to October 1997. He was the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital from 2000 to 2002.
Manzo was appointed the Commissioner for Health, Taraba State in 2002. As Commissioner for Health, he was in charge of policy and the overall functioning of the Ministry. He oversaw the State’s hospital expansion programmes and instituted free treatment for children, HIV/AIDs and other preventable tropical diseases.
Manzo was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the State of Israel during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second tenure in office. He was also High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Republic of Cyprus (2004 – 2007).
Fortune smiled on him in 2007 when the good people of Taraba North Senatorial Zone elected him as Senator to represent them in the upper legislative chambers of the National Assembly.
During his stint in the Senate, Manzo was appointed into committees on Health, Police Affairs, Information and Media, Foreign Affairs and Air Force.
Within his first two years in office, Manzo sponsored bills for amendment of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission Act, National Security Enhancement, Amendment bill of the Psychiatric Hospital Management Board Act, University of Abuja College of Medicine, Mental Health, and Free Medical Centres.
In 2008 Manzo also sponsored a motion titled "Global Credit Crisis and its Impact on Nigeria" which was co-sponsored by nineteen other Senators.
He is an advocate of an egalitarian society where everyone irrespective of tribe or religion is free to live and pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.
Manzo in many years has relentlessly empowered his people and provided scholarships to young people in secondary and tertiary institutions especially indigent ones across board.
He has influenced many political appointments for sons and daughters of Taraba State.
During his tenure as Senator, Manzo also influenced inestimable constituency intervention and development projects including but not limited to; construction of access roads, building and rehabilitation of educational institutions and renovation of health facilities amongst others in Taraba State.
He has written two books in the field of medicine including; G. Anthony, W. B. Ross, J. H. Saunders, “Palliative Intubations of Oesophago-Gastric Cancer published in the European Journal of Oncology, Healthcare Reforms in Taraba State of Nigeria amongst others, published in April 1989.
Manzo is a life member of the Nigerian Medical Association, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, former member of the British Medical Association, Former Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association in the defunct Gongola and Former Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Taraba State
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). He holds the traditional title of Saudanan Zing, Turakin Kwaji and Dan Darman Ibbi, all in Taraba State.
As Senator Manzo throws his hat into the ring for the governorship seat in Taraba State, his robust credentials and vast experience in medical practices at home and abroad, his diplomatic experiences in the State of Israel and Cyprus as well as his political sagacity would put him in a better stead.
Manzo has stated that building Taraba of our dream through strong leadership and clear economic plan thereby ensuring a brighter and more secure future is possible. According to him “my vision is to transform Taraba State into a modern economy that works for its citizens and capable of becoming one of the top five economies in Nigeria. My Economic policy will be job centered through Agriculture and industrialization”.
For Manzo, the current state of our economy given its resources, endowments and strategic location, Taraba State is favoured to play a leading role in the Nigerian economy through agriculture.
However, the State also faces the challenges that have impeded sustained growth and its capacity to generate productive employment opportunities and achieve real poverty reduction over the years. Agriculture, he identified as responsible for about 75 percent of the State’s GDP and provide jobs to about 70 percent of the population. This section he stressed needs adequate exploitation. The rich mineral resources and manpower within the State though largely untapped has left Taraba desperately in need of a visionary leader. Senator Manzo will fill the yawning gap in 2023.
But it will not be a bed of roses for Manzo. He is an All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwart who will need all the political arsenals to face the uphill task and confront the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State. But in a society where qualifications, credibility, service to God and humanity as well as track records of unblemished service counts, Manzo will have an upper hand in the contest.
...Samuel Igbetua writes from Abuja. NNL.
