By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, BAYELSA
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to making healthcare accessible and affordable for rural communities across the Niger Delta and other underserved regions of the country. First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, made this pledge on Thursday during the launch of a health insurance scheme for vulnerable people and the commissioning of a cottage hospital and community school in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Speaking at the event, which was organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Tinubu emphasized the federal government’s resolve to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure that residents of rural areas receive timely medical attention to reduce mortality rates.
“I am honored to be in Bayelsa State again, and it is a great delight for me to officially flag off the NDDC medical outreach programme, health insurance scheme, and the distribution of school desks, benches, and textbooks,” she said. “The beneficiaries of this initiative are the nine states of the Niger Delta region: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Ondo.”
The First Lady also launched the NDDC’s 2025 free medical outreach and announced the donation of medical equipment to health facilities across the region. She stated that the newly introduced health insurance scheme will provide thousands of families in the Niger Delta with access to affordable and reliable medical care.
“The NDDC/RHI collaboration, which began in 2024, is focused on empowering communities and improving the quality of life in the Niger Delta,” she noted. “This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the priority areas of education, health, and social investment, aimed at building a healthier, more educated, and empowered populace.”
Highlighting other developmental strides, Senator Tinubu recalled that NDDC had previously distributed over 45,000 preloaded educational tablets and textbooks to students in both urban and rural communities. Additionally, the NDDC RHI internship scheme has begun disbursing N50,000 monthly stipends to 500 selected beneficiaries for one year in all nine states through the offices of the state first ladies.
She further announced the donation of 11 fully equipped ambulances to enhance emergency healthcare services, with each state receiving one ambulance, while Bayelsa and Delta would receive two each. “These contributions will save lives and ensure that communities receive prompt medical attention when needed,” she added.
NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, described the partnership between RHI and NDDC as a step toward delivering development dividends in the areas of health, education, and social services, particularly for women, children, and youths in the Niger Delta. “For the past month, we have been commissioning road projects across the region under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended the federal government for its numerous developmental projects in the state, particularly road linkages to coastal communities, which he said were vital for economic growth and accessibility.
The launch of these initiatives signals a renewed focus on healthcare and education in the Niger Delta, providing a much-needed boost for rural communities that have long suffered neglect.