Diri Receives US CDC Award For Health, Education Gains

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has received international recognition from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AfriNET), for its outstanding performance in immunisation and disease surveillance.

Hotnews gathered that the award was presented to Governor Douye Diri by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, during the 193rd State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.

Prof. Brisibe said the recognition followed an assessment by the Global Immunization Division of the United States Embassy in July, which found that the state had successfully immunised more than 30,000 children and reduced the number of zero-dose children from about 4,000 to 2,100 within one year.

He attributed the achievement partly to the state’s partnership with Zipline, whose drone-enabled delivery system has enhanced the distribution of vaccines and essential medical supplies to hard-to-reach riverine communities.

The commissioner also disclosed that Bayelsa ranked first among participating states in the implementation of the malaria vaccine pilot programme.

He added that more than 720 primary healthcare workers had been trained and deployed to strengthen immunisation services, while tricycle ambulances and cottage hospitals had been integrated into the primary healthcare system to improve access to healthcare.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, announced that Bayelsa ranked fifth nationally in the recent Professional Qualifying Examination conducted by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Dr. Emelah said the performance reflected the prosperity administration’s sustained investment in education and teacher development, coming shortly after Bayelsa emerged first nationwide in the NECO ranking for candidates who obtained five credits and above.

Responding, Governor Diri commended both ministries for their efforts and commitment to the prosperity administration in service to Bayelsans, but challenged them to aim higher.

He urged the Ministry of Health to eliminate the remaining zero-dose cases and called on teachers and education managers to work towards moving Bayelsa into the top three states and ultimately to first position.

The Governor said the achievements demonstrated that government policies, approvals and investments were yielding results across critical sectors.

On electricity supply from the state’s independent gas turbine plant, Governor Diri assured residents that every part of Yenagoa would eventually be connected, despite some technical challenges.

He urged residents to remain patient, obtain information through appropriate channels and avoid spreading misinformation capable of undermining peace and security in the state.

~ Hot News Reporters
Wednesday, 12, August, 2026