*ASSURES FOREIGN SCHOLARSHIPS, MEDICAL CARE

BY ETETE ENIDENEZE

New constituency programmes are underway for Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency and the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. The programmes will be in the aspects of skills acquisition, education and health.

These were disclosed by Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, member representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He had last year promised to package more projects this year and beyond.

Prof. Azaiki who spoke in Yenagoa, at the ocassion of formal hand over of electricity generating sets to 39 primary health care centres in his constituency, said he was finalising talks with private and government donor agencies outside and within Nigeria, to carryout economic empowerment programmes in order to tackle poverty and step up the standard of living of his constituents.

Represented by Barr Francis Igodo, Prof. Azaiki also said that he would implement skills acquisitions programmes and free medical consultancy services for Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and would extend same to Bayelsa Central Senatorial District.

He stated that good health and education were among the best indices to measure development, hence are among his areas of focus.

Meanwhile, Prof. Azaiki has promised to award postgraduate scholarships for First Class graduates, from his constituency, to study in Ukraine.

Prof. Azaiki has also announced 100 scholarships for his constituents who wish to study French, Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian languages at the Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology in Yenagoa to ease studying in those countries as well as easily get employed in today’s multicultural global economy.

He further announced that the Azaiki Foundation would pay membership fees for 200 students in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, to use the library in order to promote reading culture.

Earlier in a speech to kick off presentation of the electricity generating sets to the primary health care centres, Prof. Azaiki said it was part of programmes lined up in the health sector.

Azaiki in a speech read on his behalf by Bishop Montgomery Agbagidi, stated that the essence of donating the power generating sets was to boost health service delivery at the grassroots.

The lawmaker charged the health centres to make good use of the electricity generators, adding that more programmes would be executed in due course.

He thanked the Federal Government; the contractor that handled the project; State House of Assembly members, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health and paramount rulers of the benefiting communities for facilitating distribution of the power generators.

Prof. Azaiki disclosed that maternity homes in his constituency will also be given power generators to facilitate services to expectant mothers and babies, especially during immunization exercises.

Speaking at the handover ceremony as Royal Father of the Day, Chief Godwin Odumgba, described the donation as a worthy gesture, especially in view of the epileptic power supply in the state.

Similarly, chairman of the occasion, Fafi Prezeah, noted that the donation was part of the lawmaker’s campaign promises in the health sector, urging that other elected officers should emulate.

Also speaking, chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Mr. Denye Ubarugu lauded Prof. Azaiki, for the number of programmes he has so far executed, and prayed God to grant him more opportunities to influence projects to the constituency.

The electricity generators were handed over to the heads of the health centres by Chief Lambert Ototo; Elder Israel Igbori and the other dignitaries present at the occasion.