By Amaechi Agbo

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) will this week become a bustling hub of intellectual activity as the Nigerian Association for Health Educators (NAHE) and Health Practitioners of Nigeria (HEPN) commences its 28th Annual National Conference from Wednesday 24th June, 2026.

The 28th Annual National Conference with the theme: Reimagining Health Education: Building Resilient Systems, Empowering Healthy Nations” will be declared open by the ESUT Vice-Chancelor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels OKolie.

The four-day Conference which will commence on Wednesday with the arrival of dignitaries and participants from across the nation, will officially start on Thursday 25 through Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the prestigious Prof Julius Onah Auditorium,ESUT main Campus, Ebeano City, Enugu State starting from 10am each day

High powerful delegation of academic leaders including the national president of the Association, Prof Raheem Adaramaja Shehu, top government officials, local government administrators, traditional rulers, participants from all over the federation and students will converge in ESUT to highlight a new narrative for health education in Nigeria.

The conference is expected to enhance the growing collaboration between academia and the governments in addressing Nigeria’s public health issues.

The Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, Prof. George Ugwu will deliver the Keynote speech while the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku and Prof Evelyn Nwagu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) are among the speakers.

Apart from the President of NAHE Prof Shehu, who is also the Executive Chairman Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and Chairman of Chairmen of Universal Basic Education, other dignitaries to grace the conference include the Enugu State Commissioner for Education – Prof. Ndubeze Mbah; Executive Chairman Post-primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB); Rev. Fr. Dr. Hillary Mgbodile; the Executive Chairman ESUBEB, Asso. Prof Banko Okibe, Executive Chairman Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission – Prof. Chris Ngwu; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Enugu State, Prof. Sam. Ugwu, the Nkanu West L G chairman – Hon. John Ogbodo as well as the Oji River L G Chairman, Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike,

Royal fathers of the day are, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu – Ogadagidi I of Edem – Ani ancient kingdom, Igwe Umunnabike Ejim – Ojiagu Autonomous community, Agbani and HRM, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, PhD. Obioha the 2nd of Amurri Ancient kingdom, among others

Speaking in an interview with ESUT Monitor, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the Conference and immediate past Director of Sports ESUT, Prof Ngozi Rita Ani said the activities to mark the successful hosting of the Conference commenced few months ago with a courtesy visit to the ESUT management as well as hosting of first Health Talk and Awareness Day for ESUT students and staff on June 9 to sensitize them on the conference

Prof Ani who disclosed that the University is ready for the conference, expressed appreciation to the management, State Chapter, students and Department for their support.

“When we visited the management two months ago to officially inform them that ESUT will be hosting the conference, our capacity Vice-Chancelor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels OKolie expressed delight on the idea and gave us the blessings and support to carry on.

“Today as the countdown continues, I want to say that ESUT is ready to host our national delegates. We thank the National President, Prof Shehu and his Executive Council for giving us the challenge to host the event. And we thank ESUT management, Dean Faculty of Education, my colleagues, NAHE&P Enugu State Chapter and Students for support,” she said.

The 28th NAHE National Conference aims to tackle critical issues in community health, Public Health, hygiene education, and sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria.