Umuahia, July 31, 2026 — Abia State is set to receive more than 1,000 paediatricians and other healthcare professionals from across Nigeria and beyond as it prepares to host the 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PANConf) in April 2027.

Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has assured the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) of the Abia State Government’s commitment to providing both financial and logistical support to ensure the successful hosting of the landmark event.

Emetu gave the assurance on Friday when he received a high-powered delegation of the PANConf 2027 Local Organising Committee, led by its Chairman, Dr. Oluchi Mildred Izuka, during a courtesy visit to his office at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Deputy Governor said the increasing number of national professional bodies selecting Abia as the venue for their conferences reflects the remarkable transformation taking place under the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.

He cited recent conferences hosted in the state by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals as evidence that Abia has become a preferred destination for major national events.

“The beauty of this is all about the development going on in Abia State. And I must say, it’s a positive problem that the state government has inherited,” Emetu said.

He described the influx of major conferences into the state as a welcome challenge driven by improvements in infrastructure, security, and overall development.

Government to Make Budgetary Provision

Responding to the committee’s request for financial assistance, the Deputy Governor said the timing of the presentation was appropriate, as it would allow the government to make adequate provisions in the 2027 budget.

He disclosed that he would immediately forward the proposal to Governor Otti and the Commissioner for Health to ensure the conference is considered during the state’s budget planning.

“Definitely, I will put my green pen on it so that the government will be able to come maybe halfway to support PAN. I will minute this to His Excellency and also to the Honourable Commissioner for Health so it will be captured in the budget,” he stated.

Emetu also encouraged the association to collaborate closely with the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency and health authorities across the state's 17 Local Government Areas so the conference would have a lasting impact beyond the event itself.

He stressed the need to strengthen paediatric healthcare at the grassroots through the state’s network of primary healthcare centres.

“We also want PAN to try as much as possible to have a proper handshake with the state council for primary healthcare and also in all our 17 local governments where we have all our primary healthcare centres littered across the state,” he added.

A Historic Milestone for Abia

Earlier, Chairman of the PANConf 2027 Local Organising Committee, Dr. Oluchi Mildred Izuka, described the successful bid to host the conference as a landmark achievement for both Abia State and the association’s local chapter.

According to her, Abia had never hosted the PAN annual conference throughout the association’s 57-year history until it secured the hosting rights for the 58th edition.

She attributed the success to the growing national recognition of the developmental strides recorded by the Otti administration, particularly in infrastructure, security, and healthcare.

“For 57 years, we have not been able to achieve this milestone. For the first time, we have won the bid to host PANConf in Abia State,” she said.

Dr. Izuka noted that the successful bid demonstrates that people across the country are taking notice of the positive changes taking place in Abia.

The five-day conference is scheduled to hold from April 19 to 23, 2027, with over 1,000 delegates expected to attend.

Free Training to Strengthen Healthcare

Beyond the scientific sessions, PANConf 2027 is expected to leave a lasting legacy through specialised capacity-building programmes for healthcare workers in Abia.

The first two days of the conference will feature pre-conference workshops, including Helping Babies Breathe and Neonatal Resuscitation Training, which will be offered free of charge to more than 200 Community Health Extension Workers.

Healthcare professionals working in secondary and tertiary health facilities will also receive training in Basic Life Support and Paediatric Advanced Life Support.

The organisers believe these programmes will improve the capacity of healthcare workers to respond effectively to emergencies involving newborns, infants, and children.

Showcasing Abia to the Nation

Dr. Izuka further explained that PANConf 2027 would provide an excellent opportunity to showcase Abia State to thousands of visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

She said delegates would not only witness the state's progress in healthcare but also experience its peaceful environment, rich cultural heritage, tourism attractions, and globally recognised Made-in-Aba products.

The committee presented a detailed conference budget to the Deputy Governor and appealed for financial and logistical support to enable Abia deliver a memorable and successful conference.

‘They Want to Experience Abia’

In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Alex Nwosu, thanked the Deputy Governor for the warm reception and the government's commitment to supporting the conference.

He praised Governor Otti’s leadership, saying the transformation taking place across the state has restored confidence and renewed pride among Abians.

Dr. Nwosu recalled the excitement that greeted Abia’s successful bid during the association’s meeting in Abeokuta in January, noting that it has sparked widespread interest among Nigerians eager to visit the state.

“The stories are out there. They want to experience Abia. And this was made possible by the distinguished leadership of this state under Dr. Alex Otti, whom you work in tandem with,” he said.

The PANConf delegation included members of the Local Organising Committee, while aides to the Deputy Governor, alongside Directors of Administration and Protocol, were also in attendance.

With the Abia State Government pledging its support and PAN offering free specialised training for healthcare workers, PANConf 2027 is expected to deliver not only high-level professional engagement but also a lasting boost to healthcare capacity while showcasing Abia’s transformation to a national audience.