Traditional rulers, community leaders, and women groups in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have described the newly constructed Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centre in Ogbaku as a “lifeline” for residents, as they threw their weight behind Governor Peter Mbah for a second term in office.
The endorsement came during Governor Peter Mbah’s quarterly supervisory visit to the facility, where he engaged directly with traditional rulers, presidents-general, youth groups, farmers, Ward Development Committees, women groups, and6 patients in an interactive session aimed at assessing the impact of ongoing projects or both the young and elderly.
“This hospital is a lifeline for our people. We urge the deployment of more health workers to ensure round-the-clock services,” he said, pledging the community’s continued support for the administration.
The Coordinating President-General of Awgu LGA, Chief Collins Okere, described the facility as the fulfilment of a long-standing dream, noting that it is well-equipped with modern medical infrastructure.
“We have inspected the hospital, and it is truly state-of-the-art. We will protect this project and ensure it serves our people effectively,” he sai.d, reaffirming support for the governor’s re-election.
Religious leaders also lent their voices, with Rev. Fr. Valentine Azubuike calling for adequate staffing, while Rev. Fr. Donald Okechukwu described the hospital as a “divine intervention” and urged the government to replicate similar projects in neighbouring communities.
Women groups in the area were emphatic in their endorsement. Awgu Women Leader, Mrs. Franscia Uzo, said the facility had become a source of relief, particularly for women and children.
“This hospital is life support for us. It is accessible, well-equipped, and already making a difference. We stand solidly behind the governor,” she said.
Beyond healthcare, stakeholders commended the administration’s infrastructure drive, particularly ongoing road projects covering over 55 kilometres across the council area, which they said had significantly improved connectivity and eased transportation challenges.
Chairman of the local government, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, noted that Awgu had benefited immensely from what he described as the administration’s “audacious development agenda,” citing projects such as the revamp of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, rehabilitation of the Awgu Games Village, and ongoing road construction across several communities.
On the health sector, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, highlighted ongoing reforms, including the recruitment of health workers, improved maternal and child health services, and sustained supply of essential medicines.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, described the administration’s investment in healthcare as unprecedented, noting that primary healthcare had been repositioned as the cornerstone of service delivery in the state.
Also speaking, the South East Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Igboekwu Chukwumuanya, urged other states to emulate Enugu’s healthcare model.
“What we are seeing here is highly commendable. These facilities have become a gold standard in Nigeria,” he said, reaffirming the organisation’s continued partnership with the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah said the visit was part of efforts to obtain direct feedback from citizens and ensure projects meet the needs of the people. He disclosed that the state had approved the recruitment of 2,250 health workers to address personnel gaps and ensure 24-hour service delivery.
“We identified a shortfall of about 2,000 health personnel, which informed this recruitment. Communities are encouraged to nominate qualified professionals,” he said.
Gov Mbah addressing the people
The governor added that the facilities are equipped with solar power, running water, staff quarters, and an Electronic Medical Records system to enhance efficiency. He also revealed plans to expand potable water access to 127 communities and strengthen emergency response through ambulance aggregation centres.
“Our goal is to ensure that no woman dies during childbirth. We have reduced maternal and infant mortality by over 80 per cent, and we remain committed to achieving zero preventable deaths,” he stated.
Mbah assured that similar healthcare centres would be replicated across all 260 electoral wards in the state, urging communities to take ownership of public projects and safeguard them from vandalism.
