The Authority Icon: GLADYS IFESINACHI AHANEKU

For being an educationist of note and a worthy trailblazer for Nigerian and African women and for proving with her life story that gender is no barrier to success through hard work and planning; for remaining a powerful flame of inspiration for the emergence of a new Nigerian state, Dr. (Mrs) Gladys Ifesinachi Ahaneku, MBBS, FWACP, FMCP, is The AUTHORITY Icon.
Her beautiful looks hide inner steel that enabled her break the glass ceiling that hobbles her gender in Nigeria and considerably impact her socio-cultural environment. Meet Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Ifesinachi Ahaneku, MBBS, FWACP, FMCP.
She was born over 40 years ago into the family of Chief Onyia Ozugwu and Mrs. Nwazuluoke Onyia both of Nsude in Udi LGA of Enugu State. She attended Agu-Owa Primary School, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, obtaining her First School Leaving Certificate in 1982 as the best pupil in the school. Subsequently, she proceeded to the prestigious Queen of Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, for her secondary education. She was the best graduating student among the 1988 set.
Still in 1988, she gained admission into the then Anambra State University (now Nnamdi Azikiwe University), Awka, to study Microbiology. Due to her outstanding performance, she later transferred her course to Medicine after two years in Microbiology and obtained her MBBS degree in November, 1996. After her Housemanship, she went into Residency training to pursue post-graduate medical training, obtaining the Fellowship of both the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) and the Medical College of Physicians (FMCP) with sub-specialty bias in Cardiology in October, 2006 and May, 2007 respec-tively.
She has over 30 journal articles, many conference papers and has delivered many guest lectures. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Department of Medicine, and a Consultant Physician/Cardiologist in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
Dr. Ahaneku has attended many Conferences and Scientific meetings and is a member of many professional bodies like Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS), Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS), Medical and Dental Consultants Asso-ciation of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medi-cal Research Society (MRS).
As Chief Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine, she positively influenced both members of the alumni, her students, colleagues and indeed the general public with her life¬style of dedicated humanitarian service. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at the Chike Okoli Centre, UNIZIK, Awka, she was honoured by the Chemical So¬ciety of Nigeria (CSN) Anambra State Chapter.
Undoubtedly, she remains in the cadre of personalities who have encouraged a synergy between the academia, government and industries for a wholesome development.
She is happily married to amiable Professor Joe E. Ahaneku, an astute researcher and Professor of Chemical Pathology and current Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Their marriage is blessed with four lovely boys and an adorable daughter.