Governors across the 36 states of Nigeria have been urged to adopt Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s innovative approach to healthcare development in Enugu State.
This call was made by High Chief Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, the CEO of First Choice Afro Villa Ltd and Mburubu Construction Company Ltd, during the Kanu Heart Foundation Walk in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.
The event is an annual awareness program focusing on heart diseases and is organized by the Kanu Heart Foundation, which was established in 2000 by former Super Eagles player and Nigerian legend Kanu Nwankwo. The foundation aims to provide underprivileged African children and young adults with critical heart conditions the opportunity to access life-saving cardiac surgeries in Nigeria and other African nations.
In his remarks to the press, Dr. Onuokaibe underscored that healthcare is a fundamental challenge impacting people’s lives. He stressed that by prioritizing healthcare across all government sectors, we can achieve substantial improvements nationwide.
He praised Kanu Nwankwo, both the founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation and the event’s organizer, for his remarkable selflessness and dedication to Nigeria.
“Kanu’s passion, rooted in his own experience with heart surgery during his football career, is truly commendable,” Dr. Onuokaibe said. “His resilience and ongoing commitment to assist others in similar situations deserve our recognition.”
The business leader called for increased support and collaboration from all sectors to help the foundation fulfill its mission.
“We stand in solidarity with a Nigerian hero who has made tremendous sacrifices for our country. Kanu Nwankwo has dedicated much of himself to this cause, and we are here to back him. I have witnessed his unwavering drive to help those with heart conditions, having experienced it himself after the Atlanta ’96 Olympics. Since then, he has tirelessly worked to ensure that others can survive and lead healthy lives. I urge governments at all levels, corporations, and traditional institutions to partner with the Kanu Heart Foundation to save more lives.”
Dr. Onuokaibe also lauded Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State for his initiatives in the health sector. He spotlighted the ongoing construction of the Enugu International Hospital, a 250-bed ultra-modern quaternary facility, deeming it a landmark achievement for any governor in West Africa.
He elaborated that the hospital would encourage medical tourism to the state and facilitate advanced surgeries for complex health issues, particularly heart-related ailments.
“I commend Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State for leading the construction of the largest hospital in West Africa, the Enugu International Hospital. This facility will feature a cutting-edge cardiology department capable of treating chronic heart diseases and performing advanced surgeries. It exemplifies the governor’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare and making a lasting difference.”
“Imagine if similar initiatives were undertaken by governors throughout the country—there would certainly be a transformative shift.”
