Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships with international organizations, including Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.
Governor Eno stated this on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, when he received members of Rotary International, led by the Trustee Chairman of the Rotary Foundation, Holger Knaack, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Uyo.
The Governor, himself a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, described the initiative as a timely intervention in line with his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
He expressed appreciation to the Rotary Foundation for selecting Akwa Ibom as a pilot state for the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge.
Governor Eno noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s ARISE healthcare initiative, which prioritizes child survival and maternal health, and expressed the government’s readiness to partner with Rotary International on health initiatives to improve the well-being of Akwa Ibom people.
The State Chief Executive explained that his administration has built and renovated primary healthcare centres across the 31 local government areas to ensure accessible and quality healthcare for residents, emphasizing that the interventions are designed to strengthen the healthcare delivery system.
He further revealed that the State recently awarded its largest single health-related contract for the construction of an International Medical Centre, which, he noted, will redefine medical tourism in the region and position Akwa Ibom as a leading destination for advanced healthcare services.
“All over the State, we are building and renovating primary healthcare centres. Recently, we awarded the single largest contract for the construction of an International Medical Centre to redefine medical tourism in this part of the country,” he said.
Earlier, the Country Lead of the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, Dele Balogun, said the team was in Akwa Ibom State to support the State’s healthcare programmes aimed at reducing child mortality from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria.
He added that Rotary International had trained volunteers to conduct house-to-house sensitization and offer free tests and treatment for common childhood ailments.
He further explained that the State was selected by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and sponsored by the Rotary Foundation for the exercise, and expressed appreciation to partnering organizations for their support.
On his part, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman, Holger Knaack, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to Nigeria’s health goals and the global fight against polio.
A highlight of the visit was when the team lead, Mr. Holger Knaack, decorated the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, with the prestigious Rotary pin.
Shortly after the meeting, the Rotary team visited the ARISE Palm Resort, where they commended the Governor’s visionary leadership and dedication to tourism development.
