By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD, Commissioner representing Cross River State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, on Tuesday, flagged off the Commission’s free medical outreach in Calabar, the state capital.
The outreach which started on Monday, 24th November 2025, and will be ending on Friday, 28th November 2025, is offering free eye care, dental care, surgeries, obstetrics and gynaecology care, medical consultation, lab tests, medications and general health care to residents in the state.
Duke, while officially flagging the outreach at the Calabar Women and Children Hospital, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, venue of the outreach, said it’s part of the Commission’s 25th anniversary project, to give back to the people in times of need.
He said the outreach is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure everyone across the country feels the impact of governance.
“Whatever we do, we try to complement what the Governor and the President would be doing for the people. For instance, this is the Renewed Hope Agenda programme and at the same time, the NDDC.
“We work under the Presidency and at all times, we always do things to complement whatever the government in the state is doing. At no time will NDDC be in competition with anybody,” Duke stated, assuring the people of doing more.
He thanked former First Lady, Mrs Onari Duke, for providing the facility (Calabar Women and Children Hospital) used for the outreach, since the Resident Doctors are on strike, which the Commission could not make use of public hospitals.
“Our target is to carry out our two medical outreaches within the year. We were worried about where to go, thankfully, you’ve given us a place more befitting for an outreach of such magnanimity.
“We would have run into the strike if we had gone to any government facility because all the resident doctors are on strike.
“We also welcome this support by the hospital, which means you’re towing our own line – whatever you can do for your people because they’ll always be your people. We will always collaborate with those who are willing to help us,” the Cross River NDDC Rep stated.
On her part, Mrs Onari Duke, pledged to always make the hospital available for such outreaches. “If you want to come back, we are ready.
“We are willing, we are happy to have you. It’s about collaboration; we are trying to help, and collectively we will achieve more. We are really glad that you find our facility worthy of such a programme,” she stated.
Some of the beneficiaries thank the Federal Government and NDDC for coming to their aid at the time of economic hardship and the doctors’ strike.
The outreach was in collaboration with Renewed Hope Initiative, ECEWS, CSDON, Calabar Women and Children Hospital, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), and several others.
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