Tinubu committed to affordable healthcare – First Lady

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare to underserved communities, particularly in the Niger Delta.

Speaking on Thursday at the launch of a health insurance scheme for vulnerable groups and the commissioning of a cottage hospital in Otuasega, Bayelsa State, she said the Federal Government remained focused on improving healthcare access and reducing mortality rates.

The event, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, also featured the flag-off of the NDDC’s 2025 free medical outreach and the donation of medical equipment to health facilities in the region.

She said, “The beneficiaries of this programme are the nine states of the Niger Delta region, namely, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia and Ondo states, with Bayelsa State graciously hosting us today.

“The NDDC/RHI collaboration began in 2024 to provide further support 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.”

She highlighted ongoing NDDC-RHI collaborations, including educational support for students, stipends for interns, and infrastructure projects aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

She added, “You may recall that the NDDC’s 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 at delivering special health services directly to the communities; it will address common health issues, provide preventive care and raise awareness about health concerns that are proportionately affecting rural residents, particularly in the area of maternal and child health.”

“In addition, there is the donation of 11 fully equipped ambulances along with the supply of personal protective equipment to enhance healthcare delivery and emergency response health facilities. Each NDDC state will be given one ambulance, while Bayelsa and Delta will be given two ambulances each.”

She said these “initiatives are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, particularly the priority area of education, health and social investment, which aims to build a healthier, more educated and empowered populace.”

NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said the partnership with RHI was focused on delivering development in health, education, and other social services.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended the Federal Government for developmental projects in the state, particularly road infrastructure linking coastal communities.