NEWS
WHD: Bayelsa Claims Lead in Health Innovation
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
As the World celebrates World Health Day 2026, the Bayelsa state government has said they are leading the way in health innovation in Nigeria.
The state Government in a Graduation Ceremony of 1.0 COHORT (2025) and Onboarding of 2.
0 COHORT (2026) at the Health Insurance House, averred that the state health sector has witnessed great innovation in the last couple of years.Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said, the charge before 1.0 COHORT is that, “you are now our ambassador in the state, your success in the field will be the ultimate goal of this program going forward”
The SSG who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Bayelsa Primary Healthcare Board Dr.
Appah Williams said, the 2.0 COHORT are coming at the time the world demands of more health workers especially the very young ones. “You must be more than an agent. You must stay and drive those policies of the government to give better healthcare in the state”.He said the theme: “Strengthening Health System Through Science: The Role of Youth Leadership and Policy Integration” is perfect timing. Saying the power of science has navigate the health system of the entire world
“Whether it’s infectious diseases or maternal health, science is our greatest tool. But science without leadership will always be Budden. But empowering the youth to take the lead, we are injecting fresh energies and digital means of solution into our ministry of health and the government is committed to ensuring that the work done by this COHORT does not end inside folders on our desk. You are integrating yourself into the fabric of Bayelsa state health policy.
“We want science based evidence and you are the provider of such evidence and so put all your energies and do your best not as the ritual gain but an intentionality to make sure we get Bayelsa Health system better”
In his earlier welcome address, the Commissioner of Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe said, science provides evidence, but leadership provides execution. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between academic research and bedside application by integrating youth leadership into our policy frameworks. We are ensuring that our health system remains resilient, adaptive, and technically savvy.
“Today marks a pivotal shift in how Bayelsa state approaches healthcare. For too long, health systems across the globe have been reactive. However, through this programme, we are shifting towards a proactive, science-driven model led by the most vibrant segment of our population: youth.
“As we align with the 2026 World Health Day, we recognise that strengthening Health Systems is the only way to achieve universal health coverage. We are not just graduating these young minds, we are commissioning pioneers who will use data and science to solve local health challenges. This has been demonstrated in the one year of fellowship by Cohort 1.0 by the various innovative, solution- driven Capstone projects carried out by the fellows”.
The commissioner who talked about Digital Revolution in the state Zipline and Medical Drone Logistics said, the most visible leap in “our scientific approach is the full operationalization of the Bayelsa Medical Drone Delivery in partnership with Zipline. We have effectively eliminated the distance barrier for our riverine communities”.
He said through collaboration with the NCDMB, the state recently commissioned the state-of-the-art Clinical Skills and Simulation Laboratory at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU).
Brisibe said the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS) has transitioned from a manual system to a robust, AI-integrated ICT platform. As of 2026, they have successfully enrolled over 225,000 Bayelsans including the automatic capture of retirees and vulnerable populations.
“Under the Assured Prosperity mandate, we have moved beyond urban centres to the grassroots. The total renovation and equipping of Primary Healthcare Centres across the eight Local Government Areas, renovation of secondary facilities, construction and set-up of digital-enabled Bayelsa state Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance systems and others.
“Let us build a healthier Bayelsa, being intentional and forward-thinking with scientific breakthroughs at every point of our development” he said.
Given an overview of his presentation, the guest speaker Dr. Kelly Best said, things are not just done arbitrarily anymore, saying there are ways to go about it and we must have evidence. “From science, we look at generating evidence not just getting things but we must generate evidence and the evidence we generate, we use it to get solutions.
“The Health Systems have what we called the building block and if we put them together, it makes the health system come easy. Human resources are there, finances are there, leadership and governance. So these leadership fellows who were trained by the government in the past one year are deployed into the field to serve.
“They are actually one of the critical components in the health sector which is the leadership and governance, they are the one that will translate the policy the federal government is creating into action at the grassroots level that is why they deployed them into various local government areas in Nigeria. They are not to disrupt the system but to enhance the system
“They are going to ensure that they use their agility, their strength, their innovativeness, their ideas and use their technical know-how to make the system more efficient. Their training actually covered all that and as they graduated today, some of them did some projects, though some of them still needed some improvement. With the limited resources and the input, they were able to come up with those Lauderdale projects of which we celebrate them. So they are going into the field now and this is a pool of manpower. In the next five to ten years because of the kind of training they had, they will be ready on ground because of the exposure they had, they will be properly prepared better for acting in the health sector.
“And for those that are being newly inducted, they are going to the field to see things for themselves. In all the local governments they have been posted, they are supposed to make things happen, work with the health officials on ground so that all the policies of government whether at state or federal level can be cascaded into action.
” My advice to them is to try as much as possible to be transparent, not intimidated, they should work in synergy and not in silos because working in silos, they will not be able to achieve anything, they must collaborate and integrate in the community where they are posted. They should look for the problem there and see how they can team up with stakeholders to find solutions. The goal is to make sure child and maternal death are reduced to the barest minimum. Mother and children stop dying and use what they have learned for the overall benefits of the health sector”.
In their separate goodwill messages, the ALGON representative, Mentors representative, WHO and other partners commended the state government for their active roles in the health sector and urged all the graduands and newly inductees to use what they have learned to benefit their society.
The World Health Day 2026, was earlier marked with a road walk from the popular Ekeki Park to the state Secretariat which is about four kilometers.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) has defended its action suspending the election into the executive positions of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), insisting on the guiding principles of the INC Constitution.
The Chairman of CITRE, HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, in a statement on Saturday entitled ‘’On Constitutional Process and the INC Electoral Timeline’’ while noting the communications by various organs of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) concerning the forthcoming national elections, restated its position on the suspension of the election until all pending petitions arising from the elections are resolved.
CITRE stated that its action was guided by the INC Constitution and its responsibility to uphold order, balance, and continuity within the Congress.
According to King Dakolo, CITRE does not engage in the administrative conduct of elections, but it would ensure that all processes within the Congress must remain consistent with the Constitution from which they derive authority.
CITRE pointed out that where questions arise as to the constitutional integrity of any process, it is necessary that such questions are addressed within the institutional framework provided in order to preserve legitimacy and confidence.
It added that it was the context that informed CITRE’s constitution of a committee to review outstanding constitutional and procedural concerns relating to the electoral process.
CITRE assured that it remains committed to ensuring that the Congress continues to function within a framework that commands confidence, legitimacy, and order, adding that stakeholders must abide by procedures, and the constitution is unambiguous about what to do.
The statement read in part: ‘’Accordingly, CITRE reiterates that the electoral process remains in abeyance pending the Committee’s report. This position is guided solely by the need to preserve the integrity of a process under review. This does not detract from the roles of other organs of Congress. It affirms that constitutional compliance is foundational and that processes under review are best preserved until their validity is clarified.
‘’CITRE therefore urges all organs and stakeholders of Congress to act in a manner that supports institutional coherence, respects established processes, and avoids actions that may pre-empt or compromise ongoing efforts at doing things constitutionally. The Committee is expected to conclude its work within the stipulated timeframe, after which CITRE will consider its recommendations in the overall interest of the Ijaw Nation.
From Attah Ede Makurdi
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Amina Mohammed, on Friday condemned the incessant conflicts killings in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, saying that it continue to cause wider pressures felt in very immediate ways, shaping the context in which communities are pursuing peace, recovery and resilience, progress, priorities and potentials.
Dr Mohammed made the remarks when she visited Yelewata and Mega camp Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Mbayongo in Guma LGA of the State.
She particularly expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent attacks in Benue State, including in Mbalom, in Gwer East Local Government Area, and in Yelwata, and expressed solidarity with all affected communities, including those newly
displaced.
She lamented that at the moment, there is profound global uncertainty, as conflict, climate shocks, economic pressures and displacement are
converging and placing growing strain on communities around the world.
She noted that the war in Iran is a stark reminder of how quickly conflict can escalate, with consequences that reverberate far beyond any one country or region, stating thay UN welcomes the ceasefire as an important step towards deescalation and diplomacy.
According to her, across the region, these intersecting pressures
are testing resilience, deepening vulnerabilities and reinforcing the importance of inclusive development, strong institutions and social
cohesion.
The former Nigeria Minister for Environment observed that in spite of these challenging times, the direction, Benue State Government is setting deserves recognition, noting that the state 2026 Budget of Rural Development,
Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth sends an important signal of commitment to improving lives, expanding opportunity and anchoring development where it matters most.
Said she, “the human toll of insecurity is profound. Itdisrupts lives, weakens livelihoods, erodes trust and undermines the foundations for peace and development.
“What is required is not only a security
response, but a broader commitment to
peacebuilding that starts at the grassroots—strengthening early warning and early response, rebuilding trust across communities, and creating the conditions for reconciliation to take root”.
Dr. Amina stressed that Benue holds enormous potential as Nigeria’s
food basket, which plays a critical role
not only in feeding the country, but in
generating livelihoods, enterprise and broader prosperity.
The UN Deputy Secretary-General acknowledged the efforts being made to pursue durable solutions for displaced families—including through access to agricultural land and opportunities for self-reliance—reflect the kind of joined-up leadership this moment demands.
“This is how the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG are advanced in practice through integrated action that connects humanitarian response to long-term development, restores agency, reduces dependency and leaves no one behind.
“With sustained leadership, stronger partnerships and continued investment in livelihoods and value chains, Benue is well placed to translate its assets into more inclusive and resilient growth.
“The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts in ways that are practical, coordinated and aligned behind State priorities.Insecurity, reconciliation and peacebuilding.
“Justice and accountability are also essential.Without them, peace remains fragile and reconciliation incomplete.
We must also be mindful of the risks that come when complex crises are reduced to narrow or simplified narratives.
“Oversimplified narratives can inflame tensions, strain the social fabric and make the work of peacebuilding and reconciliation even harder.
“This is why responsible leadership, careful language and a commitment to dialogue and social cohesion are so important at this moment.
“Benue’s launch of the BRACE-UP initiative is an important step in bringing unenrolled children into school and protecting every child’s right to education. In communities affected by conflict and displacement, this imperative becomes even greater.
“Children who have already experienced
disruption and loss must not be left further behind, and continued support will be essential to ensure their safe integration into host schools and their access to learning materials and opportunity, She emphasized.
Speaking on the significance of the visit the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, said, “it is about the partnership between the United Nations team led by the Deputy Secretary General and the state government bringing hope, sustainable development to bring change. So we affirm our commitment to support to the state. And we really acknowledge the leadership of the Governor of the state”.
In his remark, Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, noted that as the food basket of the nation, the state stability is directly linked to the stability of Nigeria’s food systems and, indeed, West Africa’s broader supply chains.
According to him, Benue people also at the frontline of complex challenges; farmer–herder conflicts, climate-induced vulnerabilities, and the realities of over 500,000 internally displaced persons across our communities”.
- From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE-INC) has suspended the Ijaw National Congress (INC) elections till further notice.
The N-CITRE, after its meeting in Yenagoa deliberated extensively on all issues that led to the impasse in the INC elections, including petitions received.
The group, therefore, unanimously agreed to suspend the conduct of the INC elections and directed the electoral committee to stop all forms of electoral duties.
N-CITRE, which is empowered by the INC constitution to resolve all disputes, has also set up a seven-man Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) to investigate all petitions.
The resolutions read in part ‘’ That the elections into the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (NE-INC), which were rescheduled for Monday, 13th April, 2026, by the National Electoral Committee, Ijaw National Congress(N-ELECO-INC), have been temporarily suspended until N-CITRE directs further after all pending disputes have been settled. N-CITRE-INC, as the appointing authority for N-ELECO-INC, also holds the constitutional power to resolve all disputes within the Congress
‘’ Consequently, N-ELECO-INC has been directed to stop performing any electoral functions until otherwise subsequently directed by N-CITRE.’’
The N-CITRE has directed the DRC to resolve the lingering dispute and probe all petitions, including the petitions against the n-ELECO- INC.
The DRC is headed by HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, and Chairman of N-CITRE.
Other members are HRM, King Dr. Brig-Gen Bright Ateke Fiboinumama (Rtd), Chief Dr. Silas Eneyo (representing Eastern Zone), Dr. Loveth Ige (representing Central Zone), HRM, Pere Luke Kalanama III, HRM, Dr. Ekiomi Oweigbe John (Gbisa I) representing Western Zone, and Zonal Chairman of N-CITRE.
N-CITRE, which reminded all stakeholders of the principle of honesty that guides the Ijaws, therefore appealed for cooperation to achieve peace.
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