The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the 2025 Free Medical Outreach of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, for the Niger Delta region.
The wife of the President and the founder of RHI also inaugurated the renovated and upgraded Cottage Hospital and Community Secondary School, which the NDDC built to enhance healthcare and education in Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the launching and commissioning ceremony at the Cottage Hospital, Otuasega in Ogbia Local Government Area, the First Lady said the health programme aligned with the position of President Bola Tinubu, who has emphasised the importance of prioritizing the health and social well-being of Nigerians as a key part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Senator Tinubu affirmed that the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme was designed to complement the significant strides of the Federal Government in making healthcare more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
She said that the medical outreach programme provided healthcare services to medically underserved rural communities in the region.
She recalled that the NDDC, and the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, had partnered in the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Educational Tablets in primary and secondary schools across the Niger Delta region.
The wife of the President and founder of the RHI described the initiative as an innovation that provides students with comprehensive learning resources for engaging and Interactive educational experiences.
The First Lady stated that the RHI interventions achieved success in economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and social welfare.“Since its inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has provided targeted interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health and social welfare to improve the lives of families across Nigeria,” she said.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for always being supportive to the development efforts of the state government. He also thanked President Tinubu for supporting the state in continuing the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh applauded the collaboration between the NDDC and RHI, stating that it represented a game-changing partnership. He equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking a particular interest in the development of the Niger Delta region.
Momoh implored the Governors of Niger Delta states to continue to partner with the NDDC.
He declared: “The NDDC is setting standards in good performance in the region. I advise the regional development agencies to emulate the Commission in delivering projects to the people.”
In his address, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that the partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady was a reflection of the strong desire of the President Tinubu’s administration to transform the Niger Delta Region into a zone of peace and development.
He said: “As we begin the celebration of 25 years of NDDC, we need more of these strategic and coordinated development programmes to take our life-saving interventions into the future.”
In the last month, the NDDC inaugurated four regional projects, including the 9.6-kilometre Abraka-Oben Road in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State; the 7.3-kilometre Oyigbo Road network in Rivers State; the Eziama-Abba-Owere Nkworji Road in Nwangele Local Government Area, Imo State and the 23.7-kilometre Ndoro-Ntalakwu Road Network in Abia State.
Ogbuku observed that the NDDC board and Management had received a new governance structure prepared by KPMG to ensure accountability and effective performance.
The NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne , stated that the Commission’s free medical outreach was a flagship programme. He noted: “The programme is receiving a boost with the presentation of 11 Ambulances to Hospitals in the nine states of the region, as well as the donation of Specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical equipment, including a Soundproof Generator and a Digital Colour Doppler Ultrasound System.”
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the progress of the Niger Delta through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The World Health Organisation’s country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, said he was excited by the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, stating that the WHO would continue to support good health programmes.
