Traditional rulers, community stakeholders, and women groups in Awgu Local Government Area have described the newly constructed Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centre in Ogbaku as a “lifeline” for the people, as they overwhelmingly endorsed Governor Peter Mbah for a second term in office.
The commendation came during the governor’s quarterly supervisory visit to the facility, where he held an interactive session with traditional rulers, presidents-general, youth groups, farmers, Ward Development Committees, women groups, and patients.
The stakeholders also applauded the administration for ongoing road projects spanning over 55 kilometres across the council area, noting that the interventions had significantly improved connectivity and eased long-standing challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the Ogbaku community, a traditional ruler, Igwe M.O. Egbo, expressed gratitude for the siting of the hospital, describing it as a critical intervention for both the young and the elderly.
“On behalf of the entire people of Ogbaku, I appreciate you for this laudable project. This hospital is a lifeline for our people. We urge the deployment of more health workers to ensure 24-hour services,” he said, assuring the governor of the community’s unwavering support.
Corroborating the monarch, the Coordinating President-General of Awgu LGA, Chief Collins Okere, said the facility represented the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
“I inspected the hospital before your arrival, and I must say it is wonderful and well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. We will guard this project jealously and ensure it serves its purpose. We are also assuring you of our support for your second tenure,” he stated.
Religious leaders were not left out in their commendations. Rev. Fr. Valentine Azubuike lauded the project and called for adequate staffing, while Rev. Fr. Donald Okechukwu described the facility as a divine intervention, though he appealed for similar projects in neighbouring communities.
Women groups in the area were particularly emphatic in their endorsement of the governor. The Awgu Women Leader, Mrs. Franscia Uzo, described the hospital as “life support” for the people, stressing its accessibility and impact.
“We cannot thank you enough for restoring sanity in Enugu State. This well-equipped hospital is a lifeline for us, especially women and children. On our part, we are solidly behind your re-election in 2027,” she declared.
Community stakeholders also commended the administration’s broader development strides. Chairman of the PDC, Sanitarian Chidiebere Okechukwu, praised the inclusion of gratuity payments in the state budget and highlighted projects such as smart schools as enduring legacies that would ensure a better future for children in the state.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, said the council area had become a major beneficiary of the administration’s “audacious development agenda.”
He listed key interventions to include the revamp of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, rehabilitation of the Awgu Games Village, ongoing road construction across Ituku and other communities, and the proposed bus terminal, noting that the people had resolved to support the governor.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, underscored the administration’s commitment to healthcare, describing it as central to economic development.
She highlighted the approval for mass recruitment of health workers, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and sustained support for essential medicines and nutrition programmes.
Adding his voice, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, commended Governor Mbah for what he described as unprecedented investment in the health sector, noting that the administration’s policies had repositioned primary healthcare as the foundation of the state’s health system and significantly improved service delivery across communities.
Also speaking, the World Health Organization (WHO) South East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Igboekwu Chukwumuanya, urged other states to emulate Enugu’s healthcare model.
“This is my second visit to this facility. What we are seeing here is highly commendable. The Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres in Enugu have become a gold standard in Nigeria. Other states must emulate this level of commitment to healthcare delivery,” he said, reaffirming WHO’s continued partnership with the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah said the interactive session was designed to obtain firsthand feedback from the people and ensure that government projects were meeting their needs.
He disclosed that his administration had approved the recruitment of 2,250 health workers to bridge existing gaps and ensure 24-hour operations across facilities.
“We conducted a gap analysis and discovered a shortfall of about 2,000 health personnel. That informed our decision to recruit. The process is ongoing, and we encourage communities to nominate qualified professionals,” he said.
The governor added that the facilities were equipped with solar power, running water, and staff quarters to guarantee uninterrupted services, while also integrating an Electronic Medical Records system to enhance efficiency.
He further noted that the state was expanding access to potable water across 127 communities and strengthening emergency response systems through ambulance aggregation centres.
“Our goal is to ensure that no woman dies during childbirth. We have reduced maternal and infant mortality rates by over 80 per cent, but we will not relent until we achieve zero preventable deaths,” he stated.
On infrastructure, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, noting that similar healthcare facilities were being replicated across all 260 electoral wards in the state.
He urged the people to take ownership of the projects and protect them from vandalism, assuring that government would continue to provide the necessary resources for optimal performance.
