Bayelsa Shines in Eye Health: Bags FG’s Top Excellence Award

Bayelsa State has emerged as Nigeria’s leading state in eye health and medical outreaches, receiving the coveted National Award of Excellence from the Federal Ministry of Health. The award, presented to the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, comes as a recognition of Bayelsa’s outstanding efforts in preventing avoidable blindness and enhancing access to quality vision care, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The only state to surpass Bayelsa in the scheme was the Federal Capital Territory.

Prof. Brisibe, who handed the award to Governor Douye Diri during the 167th State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa, highlighted the governor’s steadfast support for innovative healthcare initiatives as the driving force behind the achievement. According to Brisibe, Governor Diri fully sponsored and funded medical and specialized outreaches, many in partnership with organizations such as the NNPC Foundation, which facilitated 1,000 free cataract surgeries and post-operative eyeglasses for patients.

Governor Diri expressed pride in the recognition, noting that the award affirmed his administration’s commitment to changing the health landscape for Bayelsans. He stressed the importance of collaborative leadership within the health ministry and pledged to intensify efforts to deliver equitable and accessible healthcare to all citizens.

The Commissioner also underscored Bayelsa’s prioritization of healthcare investment—especially in underserved areas—aligning with the state’s broader campaign to establish a resilient and robust health system. These initiatives have drawn national attention, with the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, commending Bayelsa for pioneering facilities like the Hemodialysis Centre at Bayelsa Medical University, which now addresses non-communicable diseases across the region. Medical outreaches, from immunizations and consultation to specialized surgeries, have become a hallmark of Bayelsa’s health strategy.

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In a related development, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) honored Governor Diri with a recognition award on Ijaw Day, describing him as the symbol of Ijaw unity. The INC commended the governor’s unwavering commitment to the advancement and welfare of the Ijaw people, both at home and in diaspora. The Congress lauded Diri for fostering peace, political inclusion, and development within Bayelsa and across the wider Ijaw nation.

These dual recognitions—one for health sector advancement and another for community unity—underscore the transformative leadership Bayelsa State currently enjoys under Governor Diri. The governor has reiterated his resolve to deepen these achievements as an inspiration for even greater service to the people.