Dr. Arthur Igbemi, a health sector administrator, has been conferred with the Pan-African Public Service Excellence Award at the African Prestige 100 Honoris Awards in Nairobi, Kenya.
The award, under the African Prestige 100 Honoris platform, recognises 100 Africans across sectors for leadership, innovation, and contributions to public service delivery and development.
Igbemi, Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, was honoured for reforms expanding health insurance coverage and improving access to affordable healthcare in the state.
In a statement on Saturday, he said the recognition reflected ongoing reforms in Akwa Ibom’s health sector, supported by policy direction from Governor Umo Eno.
“The governor has demonstrated consistent commitment to results-driven governance, creating an enabling environment for reforms in the health insurance system to be implemented and sustained,” he said.
Igbemi added that the administration’s focus on social investment and primary healthcare financing had improved coordination in the health sector and increased public confidence in state health programmes. He noted that institutional strengthening had repositioned the health insurance scheme for long-term sustainability.
“The focus on systems-building has made it possible to deepen reforms that will outlast individual administrations,” he said, highlighting improved service delivery through collaboration across government institutions.
He also called for sustained investment in African health systems, saying stronger domestic institutions are critical for achieving universal health coverage.
Dr. Emmanuel Bernards, President of ELIAD, said the awards recognise public and private sector leaders driving impact in governance and social development across Africa. The initiative also promotes knowledge sharing and policy innovation among African countries.
The Nairobi summit brought together policymakers, development experts, and private sector leaders to discuss governance, investment, and institutional reforms across the continent.
The selection followed a competitive evaluation by an international awards committee, focusing on governance impact, institutional reforms, and improvements in public service systems, especially health financing and access to care.
The award category recognises efforts to strengthen primary healthcare access, improve health insurance systems, and enhance collaboration between insurers and healthcare providers across Africa.
In commemoration of Governor Umo Eno’s 62nd birthday, the agency dedicated the award to him. As part of the celebration, the agency enrolled elderly citizens and motherless babies into the State Health Insurance Scheme (ARISECARE), ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Medical and social palliatives, as well as gift items, were also presented to the enrollees. The events took place at the Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Elderly Citizens Centre, Ikot Ambang, Ibiono LGA, and MfonAbasi Orphanage Home, Ikot Oku Mfang, Abak LGA.
All elderly persons within Ibiono Ibom and surrounding communities who turned out in large numbers were enrolled.
