First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has reiterated the dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to improving healthcare access for rural communities, especially in the Niger Delta region.
Senator Tinubu made her remarks yesterday in Otuasega, located in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Her comments came during the launch of health insurance services designed to support impoverished and vulnerable populations, alongside the inauguration of a cottage hospital and community school by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative. She emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to saving lives by ensuring timely medical assistance to help lower health mortality rates across the nation.
According to Senator Tinubu, these initiatives showcase a robust effort to tackle the healthcare issues confronting rural communities. She underlined the introduction of a health insurance scheme tailored for these areas, promising access to affordable and dependable medical care for thousands of families.
During the event, the First Lady also inaugurated the NDDC’s 2025 free medical outreach and facilitated the donation of medical equipment to various health facilities throughout the region.
She described these programs as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance health service delivery, ensuring essential medical support reaches the most vulnerable populations.
Through these initiatives, the Tinubu administration aims to cultivate healthier communities, significantly cut down health-related mortality rates, and promote well-being in overlooked areas.
Senator Tinubu expressed her delight at being in Bayelsa State, saying, "It is a great pleasure for me to officially launch the NDDC medical outreach program, the health insurance scheme, and the distribution of school desks, benches, and textbooks in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative. The beneficiaries include the nine states of the Niger Delta region: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Ondo, with Bayelsa State graciously hosting us today."
“The NDDC/RHI collaboration began in 2024 to provide further supports in critical areas of development by empowering communities and improving the quality of lives in the Niger Delta region in line with our Renewed Hope Initiative model towards a better life for families.”
“You may recall that the NDDC earlier interventions in education provided over 45,000 preloaded educational tablets and textbooks to upper primary schools, junior and senior secondary school students in both urban and rural communities in all the NDDC states. Also, the NDDC/RHI internship scheme has begun disbursing N50,000 monthly stipends to 500 pre-identified beneficiaries for a period of one year in all the nine states, through the office of the state first ladies; this is more like a conditional cash transfer.
“Today, the medical outreach programme which I was told is conducted quarterly is aimed to deliver a special health services directly to the communities. It will address common health issues, provide preventive care and raise awareness about health concerns that is proportionately affecting rural residents, particularly in the area of maternal and child health.”
“In addition, the donation of 11 fully equipped ambulances along with the supply of personal protective equipment to enhance healthcare delivery and emergency response and health facilities in each NDDC states will be given one ambulance, while Bayelsa and Delta will be given two ambulances each.
“This contribution will significantly aid in saving lives and ensure that the various communities receive prompt medical attention when needed.
She mentioned that introducing a health insurance scheme tailored specifically for rural communities in the Niger Delta would enable thousands of families to access affordable and dependable medical care.
Senator Tinubu emphasized that this development was crucial in ensuring that the distribution of 32,000 school desks and benches to public schools will provide children with a more comfortable and conducive learning environment.
“All these initiatives are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly the priority areas of education, health and social investment which aim to build a healthiest, more educated and empowered populace,” she stated.
Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the NDDC in ensuring that the commission effectively delivers essential development benefits in health, education, and other social services that positively impact women, children, and youth in the Niger Delta.
Over the past month, Ogbuku noted that the NDDC has been actively inaugurating road projects across the region, all part of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
In response, Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the various developmental projects undertaken in the state, particularly the improvement of road connections to several coastal communities.
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