*Diri, Symbol Of Ijaw Unity – INC
By Awhawha Awhawha
Bayelsa State has received a National Award of Excellence as the topmost state in eye health and medical outreaches.
The award presented by the Federal Ministry of Health was received by the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe.
A press release issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Thursday, stated that the Health Commissioner, who presented the award to Governor Douye Diri during the 167th state executive council meeting on Wednesday in Government House, Yenagoa, said Bayelsa led other states after the Federal Capital Territory.
Prof. Brisibe commended the governor, saying the honour was in recognition of his administration’s effort in improving the health status of citizens of the state.
According to him, “the award by the Federal Ministry of Health celebrates the governor’s unwavering support for healthcare initiatives, particularly those targeting preventable blindness and improved access to vision care in the rural areas.
“Bayelsa ranked behind the FCT in outreach performance, making it the top performing state among the 36 states of the federation.
“This award would not have been possible but for your extraordinary commitment to the leadership and governance of the health sector where you funded medical outreaches with emphasis on health initiatives in very-hard-to-reach areas of the state.
“Your Excellency, you did not only sponsor but also supported 100 per cent medical outreaches and specialised outreaches that were co-funded by corporate organisations. For instance, that of the NNPC Foundation, we were able to do 1000 cataract surgeries and all the patients also went home with different eye glasses.”
Senator Diri, in his remarks, expressed excitement that out of 36 states of the federation, Bayelsa was honoured for its remarkable achievement in the health sector.
He said the award was an acknowledgment of the administration’s contributions in changing the health narrative of the people.
He equally commended the Health Commissioner for demonstrating leadership and capacity in his ministry.
He stated that the ministry’s collaborative effort in advancing the general wellbeing of the citizens had brought honour to the state and expressed the optimism that the award would inspire him to do more.
Also, the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomo, presented an award received from the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) during the recent Ijaw Day to the governor in recognition of his developmental strides in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation at large.
The Ijaw ethnic nationality’s foremost socio-cultural body commended the governor’s unwavering commitment to the unity, welfare, and advancement of the Ijaw people within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
According to Oporomo, the INC described Governor Diri as an ideal symbol of Ijaw nation’s unity that is committed to the ethnic group’s peace and progress.