A philanthropist and community development advocate, Engineer Elvis Osung, has constructed and donated an ultra-modern health facility to the Akwa Ibom State Government, in a major boost to primary healthcare delivery in Okobo Local Government Area of the state.
The newly built facility, known as the Grace Efiong Osung Health Centre, is located in Udung Affiang, Okobo Local Government Area, and was executed through the Grace Efiong Osung Foundation.
The centre is designed to serve residents of the host community as well as neighbouring local government areas, including Urue Offong/Oruko and Nsit Ubium.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, while commissioning the facility, praised Engr. Osung for what he described as a rare act of selfless service and compassion toward humanity.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, the Governor said the donation aligns with the state government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare.
He directed the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Enobong Attah, to immediately enroll the health centre under the National Basic Health Care Provision Fund to ensure sustainability and efficient service delivery.
Governor Umo Eno stressed that the name Grace Efiong Osung Health Centre must remain unchanged, noting that it honours the memory of Engr. Osung’s late mother and preserves her legacy of love, compassion, and service to humanity.
Dr. Ekem also urged traditional birth attendants in the area to refer pregnant women to the centre for proper maternal and child healthcare services.
He disclosed that retired medical doctors recently engaged on contract, alongside other healthcare personnel, will be deployed to the facility, with full operations scheduled to commence on 2 January 2026.
The Governor further directed the Executive Chairman of Okobo Local Government Area to provide adequate security for the facility to safeguard staff, patients, and medical equipment.
He appealed to members of the host community to take ownership of the project, protect it from vandalism, and ensure its proper utilisation.
He emphasized that the health centre represents a lasting legacy of compassion and service, adding that its success would depend not only on government support but also on the vigilance and cooperation of the people.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman of the Grace Efiong Osung Foundation, Engr. Elvis Osung, described the health centre as a living tribute to his late mother, Grace Efiong Osung, whose life, he said, was characterized by faith, love, sacrifice, and selfless service to humanity.
Also speaking, the Chancellor of the Foundation, Dr. Monday E. Dickson, highlighted Engr. Osung’s broader contributions to social development, noting that in the past three years, he has awarded educational grants to students across the five local government areas of Oro Nation, organised free medical programmes, and recognised outstanding JAMB candidates in Akwa Ibom State with special educational awards.
Meanwhile, the 10-bed health centre is fully equipped with modern medical facilities, including a pharmacy, laboratory, labour ward, consulting rooms, male and female wards, a nurses’ station, and residential lodges for medical personnel.
The facility is expected to significantly reduce the need for residents to travel long distances in search of quality healthcare.
The ceremony culminated in a tour of the state-of-the-art facility by dignitaries and guests, who inspected its modern amenities and operational readiness.
