On Sunday, [Douye Diri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douye_Diri), Governor of Bayelsa State, instructed the [Ministry of Health](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Health_(Nigeria)) to launch a free health screening programme that will operate quarterly in every secondary health centre across the state’s eight Local Government Areas, aiming to reach residents who cannot afford medical care.
**What is the new health initiative?**
The directive was delivered at Saint John’s Anglican Church in Olobiri, Kaiama, within the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, during a special thanksgiving service for the Ebedaowei of the [Kolokuma Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolokuma_Kingdom), King Mozi Agara. Governor Diri emphasized that the free check‑ups will be available in all government secondary health facilities and are intended especially for those unable to pay for medical services.
**How will the programme be implemented?**
He ordered the Honourable Commissioner for Health to commence the quarterly screenings, stressing that staggered appointments should prevent overcrowding. The ministry is required to keep a register each quarter of individuals examined, noting conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and cancers that are increasingly common. "As a government, we cannot be silent on the issue of cancer. We cannot close our eyes as if we are not seeing what it is doing to our people," the governor said.
**What additional actions were announced?**
Governor Diri urged all residents to take advantage of the service by visiting the nearest secondary health centre, with the Commissioner for Health expected to release detailed schedules and announcements. He also thanked God for the recovery of the Kolokuma monarch from a recent illness and called on citizens to respect their traditional leaders, whom he described as custodians of peace and order.
**Will traditional rulers receive more support?**
The governor highlighted the vital role of traditional rulers in dispute resolution, including family matters, and advocated for greater recognition of their contributions to community stability.
**Are there other infrastructure projects linked to the event?**
During the same service, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to submit for approval a rehabilitation plan for the deteriorated sections of the road leading from the Kaiama bridge. He noted that he personally inspects projects across the state rather than relying solely on reports.
**What was the religious message delivered?**
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Northern Izon, Rt. Rev. Funkuro Amgbare, preached a sermon titled “The Supremacy of God,” describing God as an authority that cannot be overridden. He claimed that, through divine intervention, the community of Olobiri now enjoys a new worship centre and has been freed from darkness. The bishop recounted that a congregant who had been ill received miraculous healing after the bishop prayed for God’s aid.