AKWA IBOM STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH INAUGURATES RISK COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INFODEMIC MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

AKWA IBOM STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH INAUGURATES RISK COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INFODEMIC MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

…Strengthens Multisectoral Collaboration for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State | Wednesday, July 15, 2026

The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health has officially inaugurated the State Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE+IM) Technical Working Group (TWG), marking a significant milestone in the State’s efforts to strengthen health security, emergency preparedness and coordinated public health response.

The inauguration, held at Ceedapeg Hotel, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, marked the successful conclusion of the two-day RCCE and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group Action Plan Development and Stakeholder Mapping Workshop, organized by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, through the Health Education Unit, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and with support from the FHI 360 EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) Project, funded by the United States Department of State.

The workshop brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, academia, security agencies, media organizations, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations and other critical stakeholders to strengthen coordination for effective Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management before, during and after public health emergencies.

The second day of the workshop commenced at 11:00 a.m. with the registration of participants, followed by an opening prayer and a comprehensive recap of the previous day’s presented by Dr. Ndifreke Essiet and Mr. Ifiok Effiong, highlighted the major resolutions, technical discussions and action points from Day One, setting the stage for the day’s deliberations.

The technical sessions began with a presentation by Mr Michael Okali of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on the Assessment Findings, including the Stakeholder Mapping Summary and Capacity Needs Assessment. The presentation identified existing institutions supporting RCCE and Infodemic Management in Akwa Ibom State, assessed institutional capacities and highlighted priority areas requiring strengthening to improve coordination, community engagement and emergency risk communication.

Participants were also taken through an overview of Priority Global Health Security Diseases, jointly facilitated by the State Health Promotion Officer, Mrs Nsidibe Ita and the NCDC National Lead, Dr Hannatu Bello of the NCDC, emphasizing the importance of early detection, prompt reporting, effective community engagement and evidence-based communication in preventing and responding to outbreaks of diseases of public health importance.

A major highlight of the workshop was the interactive session during which participating Ministries, Departments, Agencies and partner organizations outlined their respective roles and responsibilities within the newly established Technical Working Group.

Representatives of the Ministry of Health, Environmental Health Unit, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), media organizations, Ministry of Education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme, Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Hospital Management Board, Ministry of Agriculture and faith-based organizations collectively reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management across the State. Their commitments ranged from community mobilization, disease surveillance, health education, environmental sanitation, border health surveillance, inclusive communication for persons with disabilities, media engagement, school health promotion and zoonotic disease prevention, demonstrating the importance of a One Health and whole-of-society approach to health security.

Participants subsequently reviewed the Akwa Ibom State RCCE+IM Workplan, using the recommendations of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) as a guide. Existing priorities were examined, implementation gaps identified and practical strategies proposed for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders. This was followed by a detailed review and adaptation of the Draft Akwa Ibom State RCCE+IM Terms of Reference (TOR), facilitated by NCDC and the State Health Promotion Officer. Participants proposed amendments, clarified institutional roles and reached consensus on a governance framework tailored to the operational realities of Akwa Ibom State.

The climax of the workshop was the official inauguration of the Akwa Ibom State Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group by the Director of Public Health Services, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, Dr. Bassey Akpan, alongside the Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Dr. Eno Atah.

Performing the inauguration, Dr. Bassey Akpan congratulated members of the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group on their appointment and charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through dedication, professionalism and active collaboration. He emphasized that the establishment of the Technical Working Group represents a strategic investment in strengthening the State’s health security architecture and urged members to work collectively in promoting timely, accurate and evidence-based health communication capable of addressing misinformation, building public trust and enhancing community resilience during disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Dr. Akpan expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the State’s health sector through sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development and emergency preparedness. He also acknowledged the visionary leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, whose commitment continues to drive transformative reforms across the health sector.

He further appreciated the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Essiet, for his administrative support, while commending the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FHI 360 EpiC Global Health Security Project, funded by the United States Department of State, facilitators and all participants for their technical contributions and commitment towards strengthening public health emergency preparedness in Akwa Ibom State.

Also speaking during the inauguration, the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Dr. Eno Atah who was represented by the Dr Maria Akpan, underscored the strategic importance of the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group in coordinating Risk Communication and Community Engagement activities across the State. She noted that effective communication is fundamental to disease prevention and emergency response, stressing that a functional RCCE and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group would promote stronger multisectoral collaboration, institutionalize social listening, improve rumor management and ensure that communities receive accurate, timely and evidence-based health information.

Dr. Atah also expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his numerous investments in the health sector, noting that the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery has created an enabling environment for the successful implementation of strategic public health initiatives.

Also speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Kawu, Senior Technical Advisor, Social and Behaviour Change/Evidence-Based Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE), FHI 360 EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) Project, expressed appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Government for its unwavering commitment to strengthening public health emergency preparedness and response.

He commended the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State for their dedication to building a resilient health system and appreciated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the facilitators, development partners and all participants for their active participation and valuable contributions throughout the two-day workshop.

Dr. Kawu reiterated the commitment of the FHI 360 EpiC Global Health Security Project, funded by the United States Department of State, to continue supporting Akwa Ibom State in strengthening Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management. He emphasized that FHI 360 remains committed to providing technical assistance aimed at enhancing coordination, institutional capacity and sustainable health security systems that will improve preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group would serve as a strategic platform for promoting collaboration, fostering community trust and ensuring the timely dissemination of accurate, evidence-based health information across the State.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, Mr. Ifiok Effiong expressed profound gratitude to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, FHI 360 and all development partners for the confidence reposed in the members of the Technical Working Group.
He assured the Ministry and its partners that members of the Committee would discharge their responsibilities with diligence, professionalism and commitment, while working collaboratively to strengthen Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management across Akwa Ibom State.

He pledged the unwavering commitment of the Technical Working Group to support the implementation of evidence-based communication strategies, promote community participation, combat misinformation and contribute to strengthening the State’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the State Epidemiologist, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nchiek Edet Eneh, expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty for His grace, protection and guidance throughout the successful planning and implementation of the two-day workshop.
She conveyed the appreciation of the Ministry of Health to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the health sector through sustained investments in healthcare delivery and public health emergency preparedness.

Dr. Eneh also expressed sincere appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing the health sector, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Essiet, for his invaluable administrative support towards the successful organization of the workshop.

She thanked the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Bassey Akpan, for his exceptional leadership, guidance and commitment to strengthening public health systems in Akwa Ibom State, and appreciated the Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Dr. Eno Atah, for her unwavering support towards strengthening Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management in the State.

The State Epidemiologist further appreciated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the FHI 360 EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) Project, funded by the United States Department of State, for their technical and financial support in making the workshop and the inauguration of the Technical Working Group a success.

She also thanked all resource persons, facilitators, development partners, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security agencies, professional bodies, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, media practitioners and every participant for their active engagement, rich technical contributions and commitment throughout the workshop.

Dr. Eneh expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired, the action plans developed and the inauguration of the Akwa Ibom State Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group would significantly strengthen the State’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond effectively to public health emergencies through coordinated, evidence-based and people-centred communication.

She congratulated the newly inaugurated members of the Technical Working Group and urged them to remain committed to the responsibilities entrusted to them. She wished all participants safe journeys back to their respective destinations.

The inauguration of the Akwa Ibom State RCCE and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group represents another major milestone in the State’s journey towards building a resilient and responsive health system. By bringing together critical stakeholders under a unified coordination platform, the State has laid a strong foundation for improved risk communication, enhanced community engagement, strengthened multisectoral collaboration and more effective management of misinformation during public health emergencies.

The establishment of the Technical Working Group is expected to significantly enhance Akwa Ibom State’s compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005), improve future Joint External Evaluation (JEE) outcomes and reinforce the State’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond effectively to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies through a coordinated, evidence-based and people-centred approach.

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