•Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate (C) and Governor Umo Eno
…describes Governor Eno as leader with clarity of vision
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has hailed Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as a leader with clarity of vision and purpose, describing the 350 – bed Ibom International Hospital and Ibom Medical City project in the State as audacious and a practical demonstration of intentional health care reforms.
Prof Pate who was Special Guest of Honour at the official unveiling/ sod-turning for the construction of the quaternary hospital, yesterday, Tuesday June 23, 2026, said the projects were mind blowing and products of vision.
He noted that with the Victor Attah International Airport, the Ibom Air, and other supporting infrastructure within the ecosystem, the State was prepared to provide world class medical services, and set for medical tourism.
Making reference to what is aptly stated in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” he said the numerous life – touching projects of the governor were evidence of vision and purposeful leadership.
He said the project is a key milestone in the health sector development, adding that it commendably aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“I want to commend you for your clarity of vision, your doggedness, and commitment to getting things done for the good of your people. This is not my first time of being here.I have seen the things you have done and I thank Your Excellency for this amazing leadership. From where I sat, I saw the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and I see the handshake between Akwa Ibom State and the vision of the president,” he said.
Prof. Pate said the removal of fuel subsidy, tax reforms and other systemic transformations by President Tinubu are geared towards enhance national development, which, according to him, are yielding the desired dividends, such as the Ibom International Hospital and the Medical City project which he described as audacious projects by a sub national.
He commended Governor Eno for judiciously deploying the resources of the State and assured him of the support of the federal government.
In his remark, Governor Eno described the project as one of the most audacious investments by his administration, adding that it is a smart world-class international hospital designed for the benefit of Akwa Ibom people, the nation and beyond.
He noted that the facility was part of the state’s aspiration to become Nigeria’s benchmark for technology-driven, patient-centred healthcare, and an institution that will attract patients, healthcare professionals, research partnerships and investments across Africa and beyond.
“The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 clearly reflects my vision for healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom State, which, in the main, is to ensure healthy living and the wellbeing of our people.
“This vision forms the foundation for the establishment of the Medical Corridor initiative, with the Ibom International Hospital (IIH) as the flagship project,” he said.
He explained that the facility is about a hundred hectares with other related projects to provide the necessary health services within the ecosystem, adding that the whole health project is intentional and envisioned to reduce or put a stop to Nigerians’ frequent medical tourism abroad.
“The Ibom International Hospital is designed and conceptualized to help reverse this trend by delivering world-class health care services across critical specialties including oncology, cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, trauma care, orthopaedics, critical care and other advanced fields of medicine.
“Beyond improving health outcomes, creating employment opportunities, attracting world-class talent and further strengthening our State’s reputation as a destination for excellence, this facility will help promote medical tourism – in line with our government’s huge investments in tourism as a means of diversifying our economy,” he added.
The governor further said the project was conceived in line with his administration’s development blueprint – the ARISE Agenda, and aligns squarely with the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the broad healthcare objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Eno appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for making funds available to sub nationals to execute gigantic projects such as the Ibom Medical City, saying “The people of Akwa Ibom State are grateful, and as the saying goes: To whom much is given, much is expected.
“We will show our appreciation by returning you overwhelmingly back to Aso Rock come 2027 so you may continue in your patriotic task of renewing our nation and positioning her for shared growth and prosperity,” he added.
He also appreciated the Minister of Health for always honouring the state’s invitation for its events anytime the need arises, and pledged to partner with the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Health to deliver on the health facility project to better the lot of the people of the State and Nigerians generally.
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John said it was a historic birth of a new health economy, and enumerated the numerous achievements and impacts of the Governor in the health sector ranging from the oxygen plant, emergency ambulance services, model primary health care centers, and employment of 2,854 healthcare professionals and general welfare of health workers in the State.
Earlier, in their separate remarks,the National President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. the Secretary – General, the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Adam Mogide, the National Coordinator, President Institute for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, other Health professionals and development partners at the event commended the initiative, describing it as a bold step toward advancing healthcare services in the region.
They pledged their continuous partnership to ensure the success of the project, noting that the Ibom Medical City would serve as a hub for research, specialized care, and medical training.
Speaking on behalf of the contracting firm, Tokiye International Medical Services (TIMS), Mr Teinye Isokariari assured that the project will be delivered according to specifications and on time.
In his welcome remark, the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon Asuakak Umoh, flanked by his Ikono counterpart, Mrs Oto-Obong Essien, appreciated the governor for the audacious projects which according to him has provided job opportunities to the people of Ikono and Ibiono Ibom.
He expressed delight over the Medical City project, describing it as a committed investment which the people of Ibiono and Ikono Local Government cannot take for granted.
He pledged the people’s commitment to protecting and taking ownership of the project for the overall interest of the state.
