EASTERN OBOLO –
Youths of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area have pledged to give their full support for the re-election of Governor Umo Eno in 2027 general elections.
The youths, under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) , Eastern Obolo chapter made their position known during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/ Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency(AKSHIA) ,Dr Igbemi Arthur Igbemi in office, Friday, noted that the decision stems from the landmark performance of the governor through the ARISE Agenda blueprint in the last three years.
The coordinator of NYCN, Eastern Obolo chapter, Mr Roland Peter who led executives and members of the group in the visit ,said they have felt the impact of Governor Eno’s human-centered and rural-oriented governance.
The group swiftly joined others to celebrate and congratulate the governor on the latest two awards recognizing his efforts;”Achievements in Health Care Delivery, and Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria Award 2026,” by the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN) .
Peter described it as well-deserved because of the massive health investments and the rapid growth of the state health insurance , which has significantly improved health outcomes as part of the agenda of the government .
He also give accolades to their kinsman ,the executive secretary of AKSHIA ,Igbemi,the management and staff for their commitment to duty that has made the agency to be outstanding within a short period for recognitions.
Peter noted that the NYCN ,which is an apex youth body in the country, coordinating and mobilizing youths drawn from all the wards in the area to support government at all levels ,came to felicitate and partner the agency in its activities.
He pointed out that the youths of the area were grateful to God and the governor for making their son, the first person to head the agency with dual capacity, a position he has made them proud having taken the agency to greater height.
Peter said that they were keying into the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno to maintain peace through the engagement of stakeholders for developmental projects to be successful executed in the area .
He made a case for the employment of youths of the area in the State Civil Service while expressing the commitment of the youths of the area to partner the agency for maximum insurance coverage in all parts of the coastal community.
The executive secretary /permanent secretary , Igbemi in his response, extolled the youth group for identifying with the agency and for acknowledging the visionary leadership of Governor Eno, describing him as a unifier and performer who has delivered on his mandate.
Igbemi observed that the achievements in the health sector was through the instrumentality of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John ,who he said, creates policy documents strengthening the health sector and ensures that these were tailored toward the purpose they mean.
He stressed that the achievements in the agency was through teamwork, driven through the purposeful leadership of the chairman of the agency, Dr Edikan Ekwere, which has seen to the agency emerging as the fastest growing establishment after launching in September ,2024.
He added that these achievements have attracted several awards ,including the “Pan-African Public Service Excellence Award “,he received from the African Prestige 100 Honoris Awards in Nairobi, Kenya.
Igbemi appreciated the youths for identifying with him and the agency, noting that their decision to give total and unalloyed support for the re-election of Governor Eno and to ensure peaceful polls was desirable for sustainable development of the state.
The executive secretary, who stated that so far, health insurance had been taken to three Primary Health Centres(PHCs) , namely;Okoroete, Amadaka and Iko ,remarked that the policy of selecting youths from each of the wards in the area to constitute the EXCO of the group was a framework to be leverage in the spreading of health insurance messages; counselling, health seeking behaviour and access to health, adding that the agency would collaborate with them to extend services to all parts of the area as expected.
He explained that health insurance was a necessity for all because it helps in avoiding out-of -pocket expenses ,whereas the government has paid for vulnerable population and subsidized for other services, then people should take the advantage by registering to enjoy the benefits.
Igbemi who promised to support the youths with leadership training programme,advised them to chose to be models for their greatness and the growth of the community.
The director of administration and supplies,Mrs Hannah Nta in her remarks , described the executive secretary/ permanent secretary as a team builder whom God was using to transform the agency beyond imagination and praised the youths for coming to felicitate with the agency.