ARISE Centre: A Bold New Chapter For Elderly Care In Akwa Ibom
Gov Eno Redefines Elderly Care with ARISE Senior Citizens Centre
AT a time when structured elderly care remains scarce across much of Nigeria, Governor Umo Eno is positioning Akwa Ibom State at the forefront of social welfare innovation with the completion of the ultra-modern ARISE Senior Citizens Centre in Uyo.
The facility, described as a flagship intervention under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, is designed to serve residents aged 65 and above. It reflects what government officials say is a deliberate shift from viewing ageing as a social burden to embracing it as a stage of continued dignity, vitality, and engagement.
A Purpose-Built Wellness Hub
Strategically located along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road within the emerging ARISE Medical Corridor, the centre was constructed by indigenous firm U & K Engineering Limited. It is conceived as a daytime wellness hub where elderly citizens can access integrated services in a secure and serene environment.
Unlike traditional community centres, the ARISE facility combines healthcare, recreation, enterprise, and spiritual support under one roof. The layout features a welcoming reception area, relaxation lounges, parlour games sections, and structured activity spaces designed to encourage peer bonding and reduce loneliness among senior citizens.
Healthcare at the Core
Central to the complex is a fully equipped primary healthcare unit. The medical wing comprises consulting rooms, male and female observation wards, a laboratory, pharmacy, nurses’ office, and laundry services.
Officials say the objective is not only to provide treatment but to promote preventive care through routine monitoring and early detection of health concerns — an approach widely regarded as critical to healthy ageing.
With Nigeria’s life expectancy still relatively low compared to global averages, the state government views the centre as a practical response to the healthcare gaps often faced by older citizens.
Promoting Enterprise and Active Living
Beyond healthcare, the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre places strong emphasis on economic and creative engagement. A supermarket within the complex provides convenience, while an arts and crafts gallery doubles as a mentoring and skills acquisition hub.
Here, senior citizens are encouraged to rediscover talents, mentor younger generations, and remain socially and economically active. The administration describes this as a strategy to preserve institutional memory while empowering elders to continue contributing meaningfully to society.
Physical wellness is also prioritised. The facility includes a fine-dining restaurant, a lounge and bar, and a modern gymnasium where a fitness trainer guides age-appropriate exercise programmes aimed at improving mobility, strength, and cardiovascular health.
Emotional and Spiritual Balance
Recognising that ageing extends beyond physical needs, the centre also houses a multipurpose hall that doubles as a chapel, alongside private counselling cubicles dedicated to mental health support. Administrative offices ensure smooth coordination of programmes, while a well-equipped library offers space for reading and reflection.
Speaking during the March edition of the Government House Monthly Covenant Service, Governor Eno described the project as a defining statement of his administration’s commitment to inclusion and structured care for older citizens.
High-Profile Inauguration
The centre is scheduled for formal inauguration on 7 March 2026, by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. Ahead of the ceremony, members of the Government House Research and Documentation Team, led by Dr. Essien Ndueso, toured the facility alongside the project’s Delivery Advisor, Dr. Ita Anwana.
As final installations were underway, youths were observed actively fitting furniture and finishing touches — a detail officials say reflects the administration’s inclusive execution approach.
By integrating healthcare, recreation, enterprise, and spiritual wellbeing, the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre signals a broader attempt to reshape the narrative of ageing in Akwa Ibom — from vulnerability to vitality.
