ARISE 2.0: Nurses Applaud Eno’s Investment in Health Infrastructure, Workforce
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has received accolades from the Body of Heads of Nursing Services Department and Principals of Schools in Federal Health Institutions (BOHNAPFHI) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for his administration’s reforms and investments in the state’s health sector.
The awards were presented to the Governor on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement on ARISE 2.0, the state’s economic development plan, and a review of projects scheduled for commissioning in September 2026 at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
BOHNAPFHI honoured Governor Eno for his “exemplary leadership, visionary contributions and unwavering commitment to the development of healthcare services and infrastructure through the ARISE Agenda.”
NANNM, on its part, conferred on him the Nurse-Friendly Governor Award, recognising what it described as his “outstanding leadership, exceptional commitment and deliberate investment in strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce.”
Speaking during the engagement, the Team Lead and Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndaji Alhassan, said the delegation visited Akwa Ibom to appreciate Governor Eno’s contributions to healthcare development in the state.
Alhassan, who was accompanied by the National Chairman of BOHNAPFHI, Dr. (Mrs.) Jenny Akpan, commended the Ibom Medical City project, model primary healthcare centres and other health infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the administration.
He described the projects as commendable and deserving of recognition.
Similarly, the National President of NANNM, represented by the National Financial Secretary, Comrade Dr. Ojong Ofut Ogar, praised Governor Eno for what he described as “giant strides” in the health sector.
He also thanked the Governor for creating an enabling environment for NANNM to hold its 2026 conference in Akwa Ibom.
The State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Nsikan Udoh, said nurses in Akwa Ibom had “never had it so good,” citing the administration’s transformation of healthcare infrastructure and improvements in the welfare and working conditions of health workers.
Udoh assured Governor Eno of the association’s continued support for his administration and the ARISE Agenda.
Responding, Governor Eno expressed appreciation to the two organisations for the honours and for selecting Akwa Ibom as the venue for the 2026 NANNM conference.
He dedicated the awards to the people of Akwa Ibom State and others who had contributed to the development of the state’s health sector.
The Governor said his administration’s healthcare transformation agenda extended beyond infrastructure to human capital development, noting that the state had employed young graduates while also engaging retired nurses to tap into their experience and expertise.
He emphasised that a healthy population was critical to the success of any government and assured that his administration would sustain its investments in healthcare.
Governor Eno also commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, for his dedication and contributions to the development of the sector.
The delegation included the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Professor Emem Abasi Bassey; Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), UUTH, Professor Eyo Ekpe; and other officials.
