A security expert and Ijaw son, Demebide Master Tony, has called on the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to urgently intervene in what he described as the worsening healthcare challenges confronting riverine communities in the Niger Delta.
Demebide made the call while expressing concern over reported cases of inadequate medical personnel, poor infrastructure and limited access to essential healthcare services in riverine communities.
“Our riverine communities are crying out in pain. These are not distant stories; they are our mothers, our children, our brothers and sisters dying because healthcare has failed them. Each tragedy is a wound in the heart of the Ijaw Nation,” Demebide said.
He cited several recent incidents which, according to him, highlight the urgency of the situation.
Demebide pinpoints that viral reports indicates that on August 31, 2026, a pregnant woman and her unborn child died at the General Hospital in Burutu due to the absence of a doctor.
He also raised concerns about the condition of the General Hospital in Ogbe-Ijoh, alleging that residents continue to face inadequate amenities and shortages of medical personnel.
According to him, the Ogulagha community also staged a protest on September 6, 2026, over concerns about the state of its healthcare facility.
Demebide further highlighted that a youth reportedly died recently at Sagbama General Hospital amid what was described as a lack of medical personnel and electricity.
“These are not isolated cases. They are warnings. They force us to ask: how many more lives must be lost before action is taken? How many deaths remain hidden, unreported and forgotten?” he asked.
Turning his appeal to the IYC President, Demebide said Dr. Okotete’s background as both a medical doctor and youth leader placed him in a unique position to draw attention to the healthcare challenges facing Ijaw communities.
“Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, you are not only a leader, you are a medical doctor. That dual authority gives you unmatched credibility. You can explain this crisis with clarity, and you can demand accountability with the full weight of the Ijaw Youth Council behind you,” he said.
He urged the IYC President to use his position to advocate for improved healthcare services and greater attention to the needs of riverine communities.
“This is not just a call; it is a plea. Your people need you now more than ever. Your voice must rise above silence, your authority must challenge neglect, and your leadership must rally the Ijaw Nation to act. Respectfully, I say: the time to act is now,” Demebide added.
While calling for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives, Demebide also commended Dr. Okotete for what he described as his dedication to the Ijaw cause, resilience in leadership and professional integrity as a medical doctor.
“We need urgent intervention before more lives are lost. The Ijaw Nation cannot afford silence anymore,” he said.
Demebide expressed confidence that Dr. Okotete’s experience and leadership position could be instrumental in drawing greater attention to the healthcare challenges affecting riverine communities.
“Your people trust you, and now is the moment to prove that trust right,” he said.
