MRS. MERCY AGHANAMA BOWS OUT OF SERVICE: Office Party Held in Her Honour

Many people enter the Civil Service with the hope of advancing to higher positions, retiring at the mandatory age, and leaving the service alive and in good health. While this is a worthy aspiration, not every civil servant is fortunate enough to achieve it. For Mrs. Mercy Aghanama, however, her civil service experience was a fulfilling one. She retired alive and in good health after attaining a leadership position in the service and making significant contributions to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu (FNHE).

Mrs. Mercy Aghanama joined the Civil Service of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, on 4 August 2000. She began her career in the Stores Department of the hospital and, six years later, became the Head of the Stores Department following the retirement of her predecessor. Apart from about one year of interruption in her tenure, she remained in that position until her retirement in January 2025, having attained the mandatory retirement age.

At a retirement party organised in her honour by the Management and Heads of Departments of the hospital, tributes and commendations poured in as members of Management took turns to highlight Mrs. Aghanama’s dedication to duty, professionalism, integrity, and cordial relationship with colleagues and other staff.

Leading the commendations, the Head of Internal Audit Department, Mrs. Onuchukwu Uzoamaka, spoke to what appeared to be the general sentiment of those present. She described Mrs. Aghanama as an outspoken and forthright person who always said exactly what she meant and expressed her views frankly on issues without fear or favour. Mrs. Onuchukwu also described her as a committed and dedicated staff member.

The Head of Clinical Services – Dr. Vincent Ubochi, on his part, described Mrs. Aghanama as “Madam Due Process,” noting that regardless of the urgency of a request or the status of the person making it, she would not issue any requisition without the necessary documentation and due process. He observed that one of Mrs. Aghanama’s greatest achievements was retiring from service without having issues with her colleagues. He commended her professionalism and commitment to maintaining proper procedures in the discharge of her duties.

The Director of Administration, FNHE, Dr. Ndidi Igwenagu, PhD, recalled her good working relationship with Mrs Mercy Aghanama’s husband (Rtd.Godwin Aghanama). She praised Mrs. Aghanama’s outspokenness, describing her as a fun person to work with, and wished her good health and fulfilment in retirement.

The current Head of the Stores Department, Mr. Amaechi Maduakolam, spoke glowingly about his predecessor’s accountability-driven approach to service. He said Mrs. Aghanama’s fear of God and determination to avoid any query from regulatory and anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), made her extremely careful in carrying out her responsibilities.Mr. Maduakolam explained that her firm and uncompromising stance was aimed at protecting both the integrity of the Stores Department and the officers working in store department. He disclosed that Mrs. Aghanama had mentored him and repeatedly cautioned him to be very careful in the discharge of his duties to avoid actions that could lead to an ICPC invitation.

In her remarks, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Ngozichukwu Unaogu, praised Mrs. Aghanama’s frankness and boldness in expressing her views. She described her as someone who was always fun to be with and commended her diligence and strict adherence to due process in the management of the Stores Department.
The Medical Director appreciated Mrs. Aghanama for her fruitful years of service to the hospital and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon her life, wishing her good health, peace, happiness, and fulfilment in retirement.

The entire Management staff appreciated Mrs. Mercy Aghanama for her diligent and dedicated years of service and prayed that God would bless her retirement with good health, peace, joy, and long life.

As part of the event, the Management presented retirement gifts to Mrs. Aghanama. The gifts included a Hisense refrigerator, an electric pressing iron, and a power surge protector.

Acknowledging the commendations and gifts, Mrs. Aghanama expressed her gratitude to the Management and her former colleagues for honouring her and appreciating her years of service.

She explained that she had to be strict and cautious in carrying out her responsibilities as Head of the Stores Department because even a minor mistake involving a single kobo or a missing item could have serious consequences for a Stores officer, including possible dismissal. She cited an example of such an incident in another organisation to underscore the importance of accountability in Stores management.

She thanked everyone for their kind words and gifts and asked for forgiveness from anyone she might have offended in the course of carrying out her duties and responsibilities.

Scripted by: Information and Special Duties/Corporate Affairs Unit, FNHE
Date: 19 August 2026