NSIT UBIUM
The Akwa Ibom government has concluded arrangements to recruit 1000 medical workers to meet the emerging demands of the state’s healthcare sector.
Gov Umo Eno disclosed this, Tuesday, when he inaugurated the Model Health Centre at Ikot Ekwere, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Eno assured that only qualified persons, irrespective of political affiliation, would be employed to fill the vacancies in the Akwa Ibom civil service, restating that only people who register on the state’s employment portal can be considered.
“It is pertinent to note that employment isn’t on party grounds but qualified medical professionals through the youth employment portal. In the medical field, we are getting ready to train about 100 medical personnel, preparing them for an international hospital that within the month, I believe, we should be able to sign off for that project to commence.
“It’s an international medical facility and we have just approved the employment of 1,000 medical personnel into the State civil service, but everyone will have to go through the portal so that we can know the numbers. We are not employing based on any party platform. Don’t come to me to ask for a slot. Go to the portal and register.
“You will be invited for an interview and when you pass, you will be employed. Nobody is going to ask you which political party you belong to.
Eulogising the model facilities he is instituting across the State, Eno urged local government chairmen to come out and partner his administration for replication of these projects in more communities.
“We’re building in all the local government areas of our State, a sample that, I believe local government chairmen can copy and they can also partner with us. I expect the local government chairman of Nsit Ubium to say what we should bring in terms of counterpart funding.
“If they bring 50 percent, the State government will provide another 50 percent so that they too can replicate what we are doing here. All of the projects we are doing across the State is to provide jobs for our young people, and we’ll continue doing that.
“The paint that we have used here is from Ibom Paints and so we’ll continue to provide the market for that industry to thrive,” Eno said and lauded the commissioner for health, Dr. Ekem John, “for doing his job passionately.
“We have a very vibrant commissioner who is ensuring that he’s fighting for the health sector. When I mean fighting, I don’t mean putting on gloves. Everywhere you see him, he’s consistently talking about the health sector.”
Pointing out his disposition to criticism, Eno said: “I don’t hate criticism but let’s do it with a view to providing solutions as the governor can’t govern alone but through people and if you see something that requires attention of the government please don’t hesitate.
“When you’re swimming, you may not know that your back is exposed but people are the ones that will watch your back. Thank you my people for always watching my back and drawing my attention to the things that affect the people directly”, the governor said, assuring that his administration would continue to spread development across the entire State, and that no part of the State will be left untouched.
He also assured Nsit Ubium people of more projects adding that just as he is performing well in other places, his own local government would not be left behind. “I assure you that you will not have your son dividing and dishing the soup while you stay hungry. So let it be known that I have three more roads to flag off in Nsit Ubium in the next three months. I urge you all to pray for us and continue to support us,” he added.
He also had kind words for a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, a lawyer, and the political leader of the area, Senator Effiong Bob.
“I thank you, Honourable Onofiok Luke. I told you many years ago that God has sent you as a pathfinder for our people. And I know you are still finding that path, telling us the things you observe. And I appreciate that.
“To our leader, the distinguished senator, you consistently draw my attention to things that have to do with our people. Not just in Nsit Ubium, but across the country, across the State. And I’m grateful.”
Giving an overview of the health care centre, the commissioner for health, John, described the new centre as a “holistic healthcare hub” created through the direct vision and involvement of the governor.
“Your Excellency, the performing governor of Akwa Ibom State, when I met you, you didn’t just talk healthcare, you created space for maternal care, for minor procedure recovery, and for emergency response. And, today we do not only have an Accident and Emergency Unit but we have a dedicated ambulance service and on behalf of the entire health sector, we promise to protect this facility so that our people can enjoy its full benefit,” the health commissioner stated.
The President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Tope Osundare-Zenith, expressed admiration for the pace of development under the Umo Eno administration, saying it was not an overstatement to say that Governor Eno is a leader with multiple impactful projects to his name, adding that from his visit to Akwa Ibom, it was clear that the State is on a progressive path, and the vulnerable are truly being reached.
A former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Luke, said: “we thank God for what he has done through you for the people of Nsit Ubium. As you mark your second year in office, we say thank you, and we pray that your leadership continues to shine across the state,” he added.
Elder statesman and political leader of Nsit Ubium, Senator Effiong Bob, praised the governor for exceeding expectations in governance and human-centered development.
“You’ve done beyond what words can capture. In humanism and humility, you’ve shown leadership and we are here to support you, not just now, but for complete eight years. You know the way, and we will follow you,” Senator Bob declared.
The managing director of Nsik Engineering, Elder Nsikan Johnny, spoke of the facility’s world class standards, saying, “This is a special facility. We spared no effort in making it functional, safe, and modern and to further support this project, our company is offering health insurance coverage for the first 500 patients who will be treated here”.
The new model facility includes maternal and child health units, minor procedure rooms, emergency response infrastructure, and modern equipment, signifying a shift toward localised, accessible, and sustainable healthcare in the State.
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