Mrs Edia Lydia Iyaji : Great Strides In Healthcare

She is the quintessential quiet achiever. She has made bold marks in the field of nursing and her work bears her out as an exemplary Nigerian woman. Indeed, she is a role model to the younger generation of women.

Mrs. Edia Lydia Iyaji is a woman of great accomplishments. She has contributed a lot to the improvement of health care in Nigeria. She has touched many lives through the years.

Born on December 20, 1954, to the family of late Pa Matthew Ikoni Ogbo and late Mama Uregwu Ikoni Ogbo of Uchenyum Ibila Igede, Oju LGA of Benue State of Nigeria, Mrs. Edia Lydia Iyaji is a proud Igede woman who happens to be the fifth of six children. She was happily married to the late Barr. O.J. Edia in 1977 and the union is blessed with six children and six grandchildren.

Her selflessness and love for humanity led her into the nursing profession in the early 70s. She had her midwifery and nursing education at General Hospital Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital in 1975 and 1989 respectively. She has since practiced the nursing profession in different capacities. She was a midwife at Gindiri in 1975 and Makurdi between 1976 and 1977. She worked as a staff nurse at General Hospital, Gumel and Nasarawa Hospital, Kano between 1993 and 1994.

She served as a midwife in charge of the Maternity Ward at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Malumfashi and later worked with ABUTH, Zaria. She transferred her services to University Health Services, A.B.U., Zaria in 1978 and through hard work rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Nursing Officer which she has held from 2012 till date.

Her drive for education led her to further extend her career towards administrative capabilities and so she acquired an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (ADPA) at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic Zaria in 2002. She also acquired a professional certificate in Computer Application Packages from A.B.U. and a Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition from the Biochemistry Department of the same institution in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

She has attended series of workshops, seminars and conferences bordering on health issues such as HIV/AIDS, maternal and child nutrition and exclusive breast feeding. She has also participated in workshops for women and children such as Women’s Rights and Access to Quality Health Care by UNICEF, Kaduna; Exclusive Breast Feeding TOT Workshop; Child Survival and Development Core Team, UNICEF and Girl Child Education/Early Marriage by Reproductive Health Organization, Abuja.

Mrs. Iyaji is a member of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Igede House Wives Association Zaria Branch, Board of Deacons, Chapel of Redemption, A.B.U. Zaria, and the Nigeria Red Cross Society.

She has also participated in various researches which include: Survey of Dietary Practices Among Lactating Mothers, Assessment of Health Care Delivery System in Nigerian Teaching Hospitals, Nursing Care and Management of Diabetic Patients During Hospitalization and Follow up at Home and Repair of Inguinal Hernia in Male Patients in Jos.

She is a woman who believes strongly in women empowerment and on her own organized vocational training for women where they were taught knitting, catering and dying of textiles at the Better Life Textile Workshop, Kaduna State Chapter in 1991. She is a God-fearing teacher who advises and counsels students and youths on HIV/AIDS, Sex Education/Pre-marital Sex, Drug Use and Abuse, Right Living and Healthy Eating Habits particularly on campuses.

She loves cooking, reading, indoor  and outdoor sports, music, travelling and making friends. She would love to be remembered for her simplicity, positive attitude towards life and desire to succeed in life. In 2013, she was honoured with the Woman of Merit Gold Award by PSR Magazine. She is also a recipient of the Grand Awards for Productivity in Africa.