By Magnus Effiong
The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has restated the importance of functional health institution, saying building facilities across the country without trained health personnel and modern equipment would not meet the health needs of the Nigerian people.
The Monarch said this when the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, led Health Commissioners and other officials from both the Federal and States’ ministries of health to the Efanga Nsa Palace of the Obong of Calabar for a courtesy visit shortly after the end of the 66th Regular Session of the National Council on Health (NCH) which held at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).
Edidem Abasi-Otu V charged Commissioners of Health and other health experts, who accompanied the Minister, to implement all the resolutions arrived at during the NCH sessions in their respective States.
He said: “There should be effective health centers across our country, not just the facilities. I mean health centres with modern equipment with doctors and all other health personnel on ground to attend to the health need of our people.
“We thank Mr President for the priority he accords the health sector. We want him to continue the way he is doing, and should endeavour to carry everybody along and cause the people to feel the impact of his administration.”
On security and other challenges facing the country, the Monarch said “Challenges are inevitable in the affairs of humans including in our homes. We should not use challenges to judge people’s character. Challenges should mould us to be better people and not destroy or divide us.
“My prayer is that God would help us to overcome our security problems so that peace would prevail across Nigeria. This is necessary because that’s the only way through which we can develop this country to the level of what we want.”
The Monarch also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his approach on issues regarding the traditional institution and that he was optimistic of an enhanced roles for the Royal Fathers.
“Not that we don’t have a spelt-out roles but constitutionally, we are not yet there. And I’m happy that the President is working towards that direction and I pray God to give him the strength to achieve this for us,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Pate expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception accorded his team by both the Palace of the Obong of Calabar and the government of Cross River state, describing it as exceptional.
He noted that this year’s NCH was taking place at a critical moment, two years after the adoption of landmark reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, improving supply chains, modernizing hospitals, enhancing health security, and accelerating digital transformation.
The Minister announced that there were major federal government strides that demonstrate the administration’s renewed prioritization of health which, according to him, include the release of ₦68 billion for vaccine financing, already credited to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and ₦50 billion deployed to clear outstanding arrears owed to health workers.
Prof. Pate also disclosed that the Federal Government was working to increase health’s share of the national budget by at least 0.6% in 2026, targeting a minimum of 6% of total federal expenditure, and urged states to raise their own health budgets by a minimum of 1% above 2025 allocations.
The Minister reported improvements in health outcomes nationwide, including reduced maternal mortality, increased access to essential services, and strengthened public confidence in the sector.
He emphasized that current federal investments were ring-fenced to bolster frontline services, maintain vaccine availability, secure reproductive health commodities, and equip hospitals and primary healthcare centres with tools required for effective service delivery.
