Tinubu unveils free medical outreach in N’Delta
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the 2025 Free Medical Outreach for the Niger Delta region, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This year’s event is being held in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
During the ceremony, the First Lady, who is also the founder of RHI, officially opened the newly renovated and upgraded Cottage Hospital and Community Secondary School, both built by the NDDC to enhance healthcare and education in Bayelsa State.
Speaking at the launch and commissioning event at the Cottage Hospital in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area, Senator Tinubu stated that the health programme is in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, who has repeatedly underscored the importance of prioritising the health and social well-being of Nigerians as a central part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
She reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme is intended to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in making healthcare more accessible and affordable for Nigerians, particularly in underserved rural communities in the region.
The First Lady also reminded the audience of the collaboration between the NDDC and RHI in distributing 45,000 U-Lesson Educational Tablets to primary and secondary schools across the Niger Delta, an initiative designed to provide students with comprehensive learning resources and promote interactive education.
In her remarks, Senator Tinubu expressed pride in the successes of the RHI, noting that since its establishment in 2023, the initiative has made significant strides in areas such as agriculture, economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and social welfare, improving the lives of families across Nigeria.
Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the First Lady for her ongoing support of the state’s development. He further thanked President Tinubu for his backing in the continued construction of the Nembe-Brass Road.
Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development, praised the collaboration between the NDDC and RHI, calling it a “game-changing partnership.” He also commended President Tinubu for his attention to the development of the Niger Delta region and urged the governors of Niger Delta states to continue working with the NDDC.
Momoh added, “The NDDC is setting standards for good performance in the region. I encourage other regional development agencies to follow the Commission’s lead in delivering projects to the people.”
Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the NDDC, remarked that the partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative reflected the strong commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to transform the Niger Delta into a region of peace and development. He expressed optimism that such strategic and coordinated development programmes would continue to benefit the region.
In the past month alone, the NDDC inaugurated several key regional projects, including the 9.6-kilometre Abraka-Oben Road in Delta State, the 7.3-kilometre Oyigbo Road network in Rivers State, the Eziama-Abba-Owere Nkworji Road in Imo State, and the 23.7-kilometre Ndoro-Ntalakwu Road Network in Abia State.
Dr Uzonwanne, Director of Education, Health, and Social Services at the NDDC, noted that the Commission’s free medical outreach is a flagship programme that has received a significant boost this year with the donation of 11 ambulances to hospitals across the nine states of the region, as well as the provision of specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), a soundproof generator, and a digital colour Doppler ultrasound system.
Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, also offered his thanks to President Tinubu for his dedication to the Niger Delta’s progress through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organisation’s Country Representative, expressed his excitement about the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, reaffirming that the WHO would continue to support effective health programmes.
