If ever there was a woman who embodies brilliance, resilience, and unrelenting service, it is none other than the phenomenal Dr. Amb. (Dcns.) Obonganwan Mrs. Inyang Asibong (PhD). A name that now stands tall in the corridors of academia, governance, healthcare, and humanitarian service, she has rightfully earned her place among the trailblazers of our time.
Today, we do not just celebrate another academic milestone; we celebrate a force of nature. A woman of substance. A sister, an adviser, a mentor, and now one of the latest Distinction PhD graduates in town. With a heart full of admiration, I invite you to join me in raising deserving accolades to this exceptional daughter of Efik land.
A distinguished public health expert and policy leader, Dr. Asibong is a World Bank Certified Healthcare Financing Expert, a United Nations Certified Maternal and Child Health Advocate, a NIPSS Certified Policy and Management Consultant, a WACP Certified Consultant Community/Public Health Physician, and a USAID Certified Leadership and Administration Professional. She has seamlessly merged her vast expertise with impactful leadership, serving as a former Commissioner for Health and Commissioner for International Development Cooperation in Cross River State. Her influence extends beyond borders as a consultant for the World Bank, a mentor to young leaders, and the first and only female Ambassador of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria in 90 years.
A Scholar Par Excellence
The prestigious University of Calabar has witnessed many intellectuals walk through its hallowed halls, but few have shone as brightly as Dr. Asibong. With her newly earned Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (Distinction), she solidifies her reputation as an authority in the health sector. Her academic laurels, spanning across MBBCH, MPH, FWACP, MNPMCN, MASTMH, and FIPMD, are a testament to her unyielding commitment to knowledge and excellence.
A Woman of Many Hats, A Leader in Many Spheres
To define Dr. Asibong merely by her titles would be an understatement. She is a woman in perpetual motion, working tirelessly to improve lives, shape policies, and drive impactful initiatives.
As the Coordinator of the Elton John AIDS Foundation-funded HIV Project in Cross River State, she is at the forefront of the fight against one of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Her leadership extends even further as she chairs the Board of Trustees of Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative, an NGO founded by Her Excellency, Bishop (Dr.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, which is dedicated to transforming lives through empowerment and humanitarian service.
Her influence is also felt in matters of social justice and reintegration, as she co-chairs the Cross River State Working Group on Refugee Return, Readmission, and Reintegration, where she plays a critical role in ensuring that displaced persons find their way back home with dignity and stability. In the realm of governance, she lends her expertise as an adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State on gender mainstreaming, ensuring that policies and programs are inclusive and equitable.
Beyond governmental and NGO work, Dr. Asibong is also a sought-after global consultant. She is currently consulting for the World Bank on the Health Sector Alignment Project, a role that underscores her credibility as a development expert.
But her passion does not stop at policy and governance. She is also mentoring countless young people, guiding them on leadership, lifestyle, and personal growth. Her commitment to the next generation ensures that her legacy will live on in those she inspires.
A Legacy of Excellence
Her brilliance is not a recent phenomenon; it has been a consistent feature throughout her career. She once served as Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, where she spearheaded groundbreaking reforms and improved healthcare delivery across the region. Her tenure as Commissioner for International Development Cooperation further solidified her reputation as a bridge between Cross River State and the international development community, facilitating crucial partnerships.
Her expertise in public health and project management is evident in the many programs she has successfully coordinated. She played a pivotal role as the Project Coordinator for the USAID-funded Malaria Project in Cross River, tackling one of Africa’s deadliest diseases with strategic interventions. She also coordinated the World Bank Watershed Management Project, bringing sustainable environmental solutions to communities in need.
A Woman of Faith, Family, and Fulfillment
Beyond her towering achievements, Dr. Asibong remains deeply rooted in love and family. She is happily married to Assoc. Prof. Udeme Asibong, the “wind beneath her wings,” whose unwavering support has been instrumental in her journey. As a devoted mother, she nurtures many biological and foster children with love and dedication, embodying both strength and tenderness.
She is not just an academic giant or a policy powerhouse; she is a devoted sister, a dependable friend, a loving aunty, and an illustrious daughter whose kindness knows no bounds.
A Call to Celebrate and Pray for an Icon
Today, I call on all lovers of excellence, progress, and impact to celebrate this extraordinary woman. A woman of brawn, brain, and beauty—a true embodiment of dedication and service.
May her journey of impact continue to expand. May her light shine even brighter. And may we all take inspiration from her story and strive to leave our own indelible marks on the world.
Congratulations, Dr. Amb. (Dcns.) Obonganwan Mrs. Inyang Asibong (PhD)! The world salutes you!
