Bayelsa Tops in FG’s Eye Health Scheme; INC Hails Governor Diri as Symbol of Ijaw Unity
Bayelsa Tops in FG’s Eye Health Scheme; INC Hails Governor Diri as Symbol of Ijaw Unity
By Prince Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond – Global Egberi Media International
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – August 1, 2025 — Bayelsa State has once again etched its name in Nigeria’s hall of excellence, emerging as the top-performing state in the Federal Government’s Eye Health and Medical Outreach Programme. This recognition, awarded by the Federal Ministry of Health, celebrates Bayelsa’s exceptional commitment to vision care, preventable blindness prevention, and overall public health improvement.
The prestigious National Award of Excellence was presented to the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, who in turn formally handed it over to Governor Douye Diri during the 167th State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday at the Government House, Yenagoa.
Bayelsa Leads the Nation in Vision Care Outreach
Speaking at the presentation, Prof. Brisibe revealed that Bayelsa ranked immediately behind the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in outreach performance, making it the top-performing state among Nigeria’s 36 states.
“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 rural areas,” he said.
The Commissioner highlighted that this milestone was possible due to Governor Diri’s extraordinary leadership in the health sector, which included:
- Full sponsorship of 100% medical and specialised outreaches.
- Collaboration with corporate organisations, including the NNPC Foundation, which enabled the successful execution of 1,000 cataract surgeries, with each patient receiving free eyeglasses.
“This award would not have been possible but for your extraordinary commitment to health governance, especially in reaching underserved and very-hard-to-reach areas of Bayelsa,” Prof. Brisibe added.
Governor Diri: “An Honour for Bayelsa’s People”
In his response, Governor Diri expressed pride that Bayelsa had been recognised nationally for its healthcare achievements.
“Out of 36 states, Bayelsa was honoured for its remarkable strides in the health sector. This is an acknowledgment of our administration’s commitment to changing the health narrative of our people,” he remarked.
The governor commended Prof. Brisibe for his leadership in the Ministry of Health and praised the collaborative effort that had significantly improved the wellbeing of Bayelsans. He assured that the award would serve as further motivation to expand healthcare access across the state.
Ijaw National Congress Honours Governor Diri
In a separate development during the council meeting, the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomor, presented another award to Governor Diri. This accolade, received from the national leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) during the recent Ijaw Day celebration, was in recognition of the governor’s developmental achievements in Bayelsa and his steadfast commitment to the Ijaw cause.
The INC, the foremost socio-cultural body representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality, hailed Governor Diri as an ideal symbol of Ijaw unity — a leader devoted to the peace, welfare, and advancement of Ijaw people both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
“Governor Diri’s unwavering commitment to the unity, welfare, and progress of the Ijaw nation sets him apart as a beacon of hope for our people,” the INC leadership declared.
Symbol of Progress and Unity
With these twin recognitions — one from the Federal Government for excellence in health services and the other from the INC for ethnic unity and development — Governor Douye Diri’s administration is being hailed as a model for governance that combines health innovation, inclusive development, and cultural pride.
The honours serve not just as personal accolades for the governor but as a collective victory for Bayelsa State and the Ijaw people at large.
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