… Lays Foundation For ARISE Senior Citizens’ Centre
By Bassey Nkponam
IKONO
The Akwa Ibom governor announced plans to commence the flag-off of 31 new projects in the state before May 2025.
Gov Umo Eno who made the announcement when he laid the foundation for the construction of the ARISE Senior Citizens’ Centre to cater for the health needs of the elderly in the State, listed some of such projects as the Command and Control Centre, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation House, General Hospital, Ibiono Ibom, Uyo Convention Centre, international market, Ikot Ekpene, ARISE Renal Medical/Dialysis Centre, Ibom Hotel, Abuja, and the Medical Village.
The ARISE Senior Citizens’ Centre, which is located in Itak, Ikono Local Government Area, is one of the facilities that would be located along the medical corridor between the Ibom Specialist Hospital and Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, in Ikot Ekpene.
At the flag off ceremony, Saturday, at Itak, along Ikot Ekpene – Ikono road, Pastor Umo Eno said the gesture was in fullfillment of one of the dreams his late wife, Patience, had for the elderly in the State, recalling that she had in mind to help the elderly age gracefully.
Eno recalled that the respect she had for the elders, led to her serious collaboration with a medical professional, Dr. Itanwan James, who runs a similar facility in the U.S, to come up with the design for the facility.
He noted the initiation of the ARISE Monthly Initiative by his deceased wife, where N50,000 are paid monthly to 600 elders in addition to taking care of their medications every month, expressing happiness that though she is no more, she is happy that her dreams and aspirations were progressing.
Eno appointed Dr. Itawan James as the delivery advisor for the project to ensure that it meets its expectation within the timeline and ensure that there are no bottlenecks, and where bottlenecks arises, the Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor should be notified.
“Today, I stand here to thank God for the privilege of fulfilling one of the dreams that my late wife had. She had so much respect for the elders, and she worked very hard with Dr. Itanwan, and they came up with the design for this facility.
“She had very great respect for our elders, and it was in her mind that we should help our elders out so as to help them age gracefully.
“You remember she initiated the Arise Monthly Initiative so that every month, we give fifty thousand naira to 600 elders and then take care of their medications every month.
“Today, I am happy that even though she is in heaven, she is looking down and feeling happy that we are progressing with the dreams and aspirations she had.
“That is why I am naming Dr Itanwan as delivery advisor for the project. She will ensure that the project meets its expectation within timeline. She will report to the Chief Delivery Advisor. She must ensure that there are no bottlenecks, and where there will seem to be a bottleneck, she should meet the Chief Delivery Advisor.
“When we appoint a delivery advisor, we are asking you to live there, sleep there and ensure that barriers are broken. Ensure that there are no bottlenecks, and where there will seem to be a bottleneck, meet the Chief Delivery Advisor because twice in a month, I will meet with all delivery unit advisors, and you will report progress of our projects”.
Eno stated that the event was not only the foundation laying ceremony for the Centre, but the commencement of the fencing of the entire site of facilities that will be along the corridor and the construction of complimentary access roads.
He said government was working towards making the Ibom Specialist Hospital a stand-alone hospital, and a quaternary hospital to truly reflect the yearnings and aspirations of its visioners.
Eno noted that with the medical corridor comprising the Ibom Specialist Hospital, Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, the Medical Village, Ibom Air, as well as the peace and serenity in the State, Akwa Ibom will further advance its status as the tourists destination of choice, assuring that government, under his watch, is determined to sustain inclusivity by maintaining the peaceful working relationship he has with President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and others across party lines, and urged political jobbers to desist from their mischief, as the Akwa Ibom project was greater than any party affiliation.
Eno appreciated the people of Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas for collaborating with and supporting his administration, and especially for the expanse of land made available for the medical corridor that will help in advancing the successful stories of his campaign promises and the ARISE Agenda.
The member representing Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Emmanuel Ukpong Udo, appreciated Eno for his impactful development footprints in Ikono and Ibiono Ibom, noting that despite the nature of the 2023 governorship election, Eno has remained magnanimous.
Udo assured everyone that given Eno’s inclusive leadership and impactful strides, the people of his constituency will massively support him in 2027 general elections.
The member representing Ikono State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Asuquo Nana, appreciated the governor for the different projects sited in Ikono, and assured him that Ikono will continue to support his administration and reciprocate the gesture in 2027.
Speaking separately, the chairmen of Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas, Mr Otobong Essien and Mr Asuakak Umoh, thanked Governor Eno for the different projects located in the two local government areas including the ring road, Grace Estate, Use Ikot Amama Road project, as well as the Senior Citizens Center, reassuring him of their continued support.
Also, Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, and Mr Emmanuel Archibong Esq, both of the Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens’ Assembly, as well as the paramount ruler of Ibiono, HRM Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, appreciated the governor for keeping to his campaign promises, particularly for paying the backlog of gratuities and implementing worthwhile pro-life initiatives for the elderly.
In their separate overview of the Senior Citizens’ Centre, the newly appointed Delivery Advisor for the project, Dr Itanwan James, and the managing director of U&K Limited, contractor handling the project, Mr. Ukeme Eyo, an engineer, respectively, described the facility as not just a structure but an architectural masterpiece with befitting medical, recreational, and other facilities that will not only delight the senior citizens but will enable them age gracefully.
Discussion about this post