The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, and the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Chief Godwin Iyala, have been honoured with distinguished awards at the Nigeria Nursing Students Olympiad (NNSO) 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to healthcare development and public service.
The awards were presented during the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Nursing Students Olympiad held last Friday, where the two senior government officials were celebrated for their roles in advancing healthcare delivery and supporting initiatives that promote excellence in Nigeria’s health sector.
Presenting the awards, the Chairman and Founder of Nurse Quest Nigeria, Michael Egbujionuma, commended the recipients for their exemplary leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare system through impactful policies and programmes.
Speaking at the event, Anene Treasure Adaobi, a member of the Board of Trustees Welfare Committee of Nurse Quest Nigeria and Host of the Nigeria Nursing Students Olympiad 2026, said the awards were instituted to honour individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced healthcare delivery, inspired future healthcare professionals and supported the growth of the nursing profession in Nigeria.
Dr. Ekpang was recognised for his strategic role in promoting government policies and programmes that have increased public awareness of healthcare reforms and enhanced the visibility of the Cross River State Government’s investments in the health sector. Through effective public communication, he has continued to project Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s healthcare initiatives and other people-centred programmes.
Chief Iyala, on the other hand, was honoured for his leadership of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency and his commitment to expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare through the state’s health insurance scheme. Under his administration, the agency has continued to broaden health insurance coverage and improve healthcare financing, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Receiving the award, Dr. Ekpang expressed appreciation to Nurse Quest Nigeria for the honour, describing it as a recognition of the Cross River State Government’s unwavering commitment to transforming the health sector.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from Nurse Quest Nigeria and the organisers of the Nigeria Nursing Students Olympiad. This award is a testament to the commitment of the Cross River State Government under the leadership of Governor Bassey Edet Otu to repositioning the health sector through strategic communication, transparency and sustained public engagement. I dedicate this honour to the Governor and assure you that we will continue to promote policies and programmes that improve the health and well-being of our people while supporting initiatives that inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Iyala thanked the organisers for the recognition, saying it would spur him to deepen efforts toward expanding access to quality healthcare through health insurance.
“I sincerely appreciate Nurse Quest Nigeria for this honour. It is both humbling and motivating to be recognised by an organisation dedicated to nurturing future healthcare professionals. This award reinforces our resolve at the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency to continue expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare through health insurance, especially for vulnerable populations. We remain committed to supporting Governor Bassey Otu’s vision of achieving universal health coverage and building a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system for all Cross Riverians,” Iyala stated.
The Nigeria Nursing Students Olympiad is an annual platform that brings together nursing students, healthcare professionals and key stakeholders to promote academic excellence, leadership, innovation and professional development within Nigeria’s nursing and healthcare sectors.
By Kingsley Agim
