First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off NDDC/RHI Medical Outreach, Health Insurance Scheme for Rural Dwellers in Niger Delta

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off NDDC/RHI Medical Outreach, Health Insurance Scheme for Rural Dwellers in Niger Delta

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, flagged off a free medical outreach and launched a health insurance scheme for vulnerable populations in the Niger Delta region. The initiative, a joint effort between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), took place in Otuasega, Bayelsa State.

Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu commended the NDDC for aligning its efforts with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of health, education, and social investment.

“As an educationist, I am particularly pleased that the NDDC recognizes education as a critical pillar of development,” she said. “The distribution of 32,000 school desks and benches to public schools across the region will provide a more conducive learning environment for our children. These initiatives reflect the commitment to building a healthier, more educated, and empowered society.”

The First Lady encouraged residents of Bayelsa and the broader Niger Delta region to embrace and safeguard the interventions, stressing that the success of such programmes relies heavily on community involvement and ownership.

She noted that the range of projects commissioned demonstrates that the Federal Government has entrusted the right leadership to steer the NDDC. Among the projects flagged off were 11 ambulances, personal protective equipment for selected hospitals, a newly inaugurated cottage hospital, the launch of a rural health insurance scheme, and the commissioning of the Community Secondary School, Otuasega. In addition, textbooks, school desks, and benches were distributed to several schools.

Bayelsa State Governor, in his remarks, applauded the NDDC’s efforts and described the commission as a valuable partner in the region’s development. He also expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her commitment to uplifting the lives of Nigerians.

The Minister for Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, called on other regional development commissions, both existing and emerging, to emulate the NDDC’s dedication to fulfilling its mandate.

With the 25th anniversary of the NDDC fast approaching, stakeholders described the string of recent interventions as a timely and meaningful result of collaborative governance.

Earlier in the day, Senator Tinubu also met with the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, where she emphasized the importance of people-centered leadership and sought the support of traditional institutions for RHI’s ongoing health advocacy.

This latest outreach marks the third in a series of collaborative interventions between RHI and NDDC since November 2024, following the distribution of ULesson educational tablets and the launch of the NDDC/RHI Youth Internship Scheme.

By: Busola Kukoyi
SSA, Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thursday, 3rd April, 2025