The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has pledged improved welfare for nurses and better healthcare facilities for staff as the Commission marked the 2026 International Nurses Day celebration in Abuja.
The assurance was given during the grand finale of the 2026 Nurses Week, organised by the INEC Staff Clinic, where management staff, healthcare professionals, and guests gathered to celebrate nurses’ contributions to healthcare delivery and staff well-being.
The celebration, themed “O”r Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” focused on the role of nurses in strengthening healthcare services, promoting patient safety and supporting national development.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Nursing Unit at the INEC Staff Clinic, Nurse Mercy Ogunleye, described nurses as central to compassionate healthcare delivery within the Commission.
She said the week-long activities, which began on 6 May with a road walk and public enlightenment campaign, were designed to recognise the sacrifices and responsibilities of nurses in society.
According to her, despite existing challenges, nurses at the clinic have continued to demonstrate professionalism, compassion and commitment to the welfare of INEC staff and their families.
Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee and National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, commended nurses for their unwavering dedication to humanity.
“Nursing is a work of the heart. You are serving humanity and serving God,” he said, while noting that International Nurses Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of nurses in patient care, disease prevention and health promotion.
Delivering the keynote address, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Alhassan, said the Council remained committed to strengthening the nursing profession through reforms and professional development.
He noted that nurses remain at the centre of healthcare delivery, adding that the future of healthcare in Nigeria depends significantly on the strength and capacity of the nursing workforce.
Also speaking was the Director of Secretariat, Mrs Okuonghae Olayide, who represented the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Omoa Orianran-Anthony, who praised nurses for their resilience and contributions to making healthcare delivery more humane.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to the INEC Chairman, represented by Prof. Gumus, the Secretary to the Commission, and retired nurses recognised for their years of service.
In his remarks, Prof. Amupitan acknowledged the difficult conditions under which many nurses work, describing them as “the bedrock of healthcare delivery.”
“e disclosed that the Commission had commenced the renovation and upgrade of the INEC Staff Clinic, alongside efforts to equip the facility with improved medical infrastructure.
The INEC Chairman further revealed plans to acquire a larger facility for the Area 10 clinic in Abuja to enhance healthcare delivery for staff.
“If you want a productive workforce, you must think about their health,” he said while reaffirming the Co-Commission’s commitment to staff welfare.
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