- Home
- About
About ARD UBTH
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (ARD UBTH) brings together every doctor and dentist below the rank of consultant employed by UBTH. We speak for our members, support their training and welfare, and publish the Benin Journal of Postgraduate Medicine.
Who we are
The resident doctors of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital joined similar associations from three other teaching hospitals to form the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Friday 4 August 1978.
For years the association was guided by unwritten tradition and by NARD’s constitution. As a local branch it met issues neither could fully address, so the resident doctors of UBTH came together and wrote their own constitution. It is the association’s supreme legal document and guides all its activities.
Our formal name is the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.
Our aims
- Protect the interests of resident doctors.
- Promote the efficiency of resident doctors in carrying out their medical responsibilities.
- Consider and express views on proposed policies and legislation that affect resident doctors in Nigeria.
- Promote the standard of healthcare delivery.
- Cooperate with bodies in Nigeria and abroad that share these aims.
- Promote and preserve healthy relationships among members.
Our history
From the founding of the hospital to the constitution we work by today.
-
197312 May
UBTH opens
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is officially opened. The Federal Government takes it over on 1 April 1975.
-
19784 August
A founding branch of NARD
Resident doctors of UBTH join colleagues from UCH, LUTH and UNTH to form the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria.
-
2002December
A written constitution
Until now guided by unwritten tradition and NARD’s constitution, the association adopts its own constitution at the Annual General Meeting.
-
2008AGM
First review
A committee led by Dr Efosa J. Iyamu reviews the constitution, signed by President Dr E. O. Ighodaro and Secretary General Dr N. S. Awunor.
-
201517 December
Second review
A committee chaired by Dr Ozah Ehiremhen presents a revised constitution, adopted at the AGM.
-
20218 December
The current constitution
A review led by Dr Ehigiegba Oduware is adopted at the AGM, signed by President Dr Ofuani Ifeanyi and Secretary General Dr Elamah Ikpeminoghena.
-
2023September
45 years on
The association marks its 45th anniversary in Benin City.
-
2026Today
Harmony EXCO
Led by President Dr Osaghae Osahon Joseph. Meet the executive council
How we are organised
Three organs share the work, supported by standing committees.
General Assembly
Every member belongs to it. It is the association’s supreme legislative body, meets at least every quarter, and holds the Annual General Meeting each December with an opening, a scientific and a business session.
Executive Council
Elected officers who run the association’s affairs, carry out the General Assembly’s mandate and organise the AGM. The council meets at least once every two months. See the current council
Judicial Council
Five members appointed by the Executive Council and ratified by the General Assembly. It hears disputes between members, with a right of appeal to the Executive Council and then the General Assembly.
Committees of the association
Welfare Committee
Chaired by the Vice President, with the Assistant Secretary General as secretary. Looks after members’ wellbeing.
Education Committee
One member from every department with resident doctors, chaired by the Academic Secretary. Organises the association’s educational and academic activities.
House Officers Monitoring Committee
One member from each department house officers rotate through. Monitors internship and selects the winners of the ARD’s annual house officer prizes.
Club House Management Committee
Led by the Club House Secretary. Oversees the ARD Club House and Lounge and reports on their accounts every quarter.
Social Committee
Led by the Social Secretary. Organises the association’s social activities.
Electoral Committee
Three members, chaired by the returning officer. Conducts the annual elections and any by-elections.
Advisory Committee
All chief residents, past Presidents and Secretaries General still in residency, and five other members. Advises the Executive Council.
Where the ARD sits in the hospital
The association works to be represented on the hospital’s standing committees, including:
Membership
The constitution recognises four kinds of member.
Official members
All registered medical and dental practitioners below the rank of consultant who are employed by UBTH. Official members can vote and stand for office.
Honorary members
Medical or dental practitioners who have excelled in their field or distinguished themselves in protecting the interests of resident doctors, confirmed by two thirds of members at an AGM.
Life members
Present or past members who have made substantial contributions to the interests of resident doctors, nominated by the Executive Council and confirmed at an AGM.
Associate members
Financial members of the University of Benin Medical Students’ Association (UBEMSA) and the Benin University Dental Students’ Association (BUDSA). They can take part in general meetings but cannot vote.
Past presidents
The leaders the association has elected over the years. This record is still being completed from minutes, AGM brochures and press reports.
If you can fill a gap or correct an entry, write to the secretariat.
| Period | President | Secretary General |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2025 | Dr Osaretin Lawrence Asemota | Not yet recorded |
| 2023 | Dr David Orhewere | Dr Erah Eugene |
| 2022 | Dr Elamah Ikpeminoghena | Not yet recorded |
| 2020/21 | Dr Ofuani Ifeanyi Jude | Dr Elamah Ikpeminoghena |
| 2020 | Dr Ehigieba Eduware Emmanuel | Not yet recorded |
| 2018 | Dr Etinosa Imagbenikaro | Not yet recorded |
| 2017 | Dr Eustace Oseghale | Not yet recorded |
| 2016 | Dr Owen Omoregbe | Not yet recorded |
| 2010/11 | Dr Ehigiator Adayonfo | Dr Harrison Omokhua |
| 2008 | Dr Emmanuel O. Ighodaro | Dr N. S. Awunor |
Our constitution
The constitution sets out our aims, membership, the duties of every officer, how elections run and how the association looks after its members. The current text was reviewed and adopted at the Annual General Meeting of 8 December 2021.