High Chief Dr Sir Anterus Chikaobi Ezeh, founder of institutions dedicated to nursing education, healthcare delivery and social welfare, has received the Excellent Leadership Award in Health Care and Medical Services at the 2026 National Excellent Leadership Awards and Lecture (NELAL) in Abuja.
The award was presented on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in recognition of Ezeh’s contributions to healthcare and community service.
His journey towards institution-building began long before he established a nursing college and a hospital. As a Primary Three pupil, he taught Catechism to other children in his parish, an early experience that reflected his commitment to service.
Born in Akanugu Ada, Obollo Etiti, in the former Anambra State, Ezeh is the youngest of seven children. Despite losing his father during his early secondary school years, he continued his education, attending Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude, and St John Cross Seminary, Nsukka.
He later obtained a degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan and a degree in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome in 2003. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in Civil Rights Law from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.
Establishing Institutions for Healthcare and Training
Ezeh has translated his commitment to service into initiatives spanning healthcare, professional education and social support.
He is the founder and proprietor of La Vera College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, where nurses are trained to provide competent, compassionate and ethically responsible care.
He also established La Vera College Hospital and Diagnostics Ltd, with the aim of improving access to quality and affordable healthcare, particularly for people in underserved communities.
His work extends to the United Kingdom, where Abbey’s Care Centre provides care and social support to vulnerable people and others in need.
Ezeh’s interest in caring for vulnerable groups is also rooted in his personal experience. During his years in Ibadan, Rome and the UK, he cared for older people and individuals with mental health challenges.
A Commitment That Extends Beyond Medicine
Beyond his healthcare and educational initiatives, Ezeh has contributed to community development through practical service.
He provided technical expertise and resources towards the construction of a community church in Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo Eze South, Enugu State. He also volunteered as an unpaid secondary school teacher in Oraifite, Anambra State.
His contributions have earned him recognition from the Professional Public Speaking and Leadership Academy, Nigeria. He also holds traditional titles in Enugu and Abia states.
Ezeh is married to Dame Rita Ogonna Anterus, a nurse, and they have six children.
His NELAL award places a spotlight on his work across healthcare, education and community service, as well as the role of committed leadership in establishing institutions that respond to people’s needs.
Okoye Urges Leaders to Invest in Character and Communication
The award ceremony also featured a keynote address by Dr Lotanna Okoye, Director-General of the Profession Public Speaking and Leadership Academy (PPSLA Africa).
Speaking on the theme ‘Vision Beyond Today: Building Leaders, Institutions and Nations for a New Generation,’ Okoye introduced Metamorphoses, a leadership and values-development programme for young people aged 13 and above.
The initiative covers 14 areas of development, with character and communication among the areas highlighted in his address.
On character, Okoye said young people closely observe how adults behave, particularly how they respond to success and exercise authority.
He challenged leaders to consider whether achievement makes them more responsible or arrogant, and whether they use their influence to serve society or exploit others.
He stressed that young people learn from the examples set by adults, making it important for those in positions of authority to demonstrate the values they expect the next generation to uphold.
Communication as a Leadership Skill
Okoye also emphasised the need to help young people develop effective communication skills, alongside the mentoring and values that prepare them for leadership.
He questioned who would take responsibility for guiding young people in these areas, arguing that the development of future leaders should be deliberate rather than left to chance.
His message highlighted the importance of providing young people with the guidance, skills and support needed to assume greater responsibilities in society.
Metamorphoses Set to Reach Thousands of Young People
Metamorphoses is scheduled to begin on October 17 across 30 locations in Abuja, targeting more than 5,000 young people weekly. An online component is also planned to extend the programme’s reach beyond its physical locations.
Okoye called on individuals, organisations and development partners to support the initiative through sponsorship, mentorship and strategic partnerships.
The programme is designed to promote personal development and equip young people with values and skills relevant to future leadership.
While Ezeh’s recognition celebrated his work in healthcare, nursing education and community support, Okoye’s address stressed the importance of preparing young Nigerians to lead responsibly.
Both themes reflected the broader message of NELAL 2026: that meaningful progress requires service-driven leadership, sustainable institutions and a deliberate commitment to developing the next generation.