By Stella Okoh-Esene
As part of the ARISE Initiative For The Elderly, a programme designed by the Akwa Ibom State Government to cater for the elderly people in the state, 1,200 senior citizens across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, received financial support and were enrolled for free medical care.
Speaking during the programme held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the initiative as one that gives hope and a sense of belonging to elderly people in the state.
Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas, the First Lady Designate urged the beneficiaries to look after their health by taking advantage of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
She praised Governor Umo Eno for his people-centric leadership demonstrated through several programmes for the vulnerable populace, assuring him of the massive support from the elderly people in the estate.
In her opening remarks, the Coordinator, ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs. Mercy Eka, emphasised that the programme was created to restore hope, dignity and strength to elderly citizens, announcing that 1,200 elderly persons were reached at the event, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 7,200 since the initiative’s inception.
She stated that Governor Umo Eno has continued to expand the frontiers of humanitarian service in the state, as beneficiaries of the initiative are now enrolled in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme, granting them free access to quality medical care across all 31 Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Lady Emem Ibanga, praised Governor Umo Eno for his compassionate leadership, stating that through his ARISE Agenda, he has consistently prioritised the needs of the elderly, highlighting Initiatives aimed at improving their well-being, such as the upcoming commissioning of the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre.
Lady Ibanga assured senior citizens that they are not forgotten and acknowledged that their long-standing contributions have greatly influenced the state’s development.
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Edikan Ekwere, provided an overview of the health initiative, he stated that upon registration in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Health Insurance scheme for the elderly, a registration card would be issued, granting senior citizens access to free medical services at their nearest healthcare facility.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Elder Victor Akpan, expressed gratitude to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for thinking about their wellbeing, noting that it has given them a sense of belonging and elongated their lives, prayed God to bless and strengthen him to continue to pilot the affairs of the state.
Goodwill messages were received from the Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Dr Ekaette Okon and the wife of the APC State Chairman, Mrs Ini-Louisa Ntukekpo.