In a bold step to improve both healthcare and education in Isoko South, Delta State, the Local Government Chairman, Comrade Friday Ovoke Warri, has launched a six-day integrated measles vaccination campaign and uncovered a shocking shortage of teachers at a local primary school.
On Saturday, October 12, 2024, Comrade Warri flagged off a six-day measles vaccination campaign aimed at protecting children and adults in Isoko South Local Government Area. The campaign, set to run until October 18, 2024, is being conducted across all health centers, schools, churches, and households within the region. Warri emphasized that the health and welfare of residents are a top priority for his administration.
“This campaign is a significant step towards safeguarding the health of our children and adults,” Warri said during the launch at the council headquarters in Oleh. He encouraged mothers, caregivers, and the general public to take advantage of the free vaccination service, while urging residents to maintain their immunization cards for follow-up and monitoring.
Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the campaign aims to curb the spread of measles, a highly contagious disease, by ensuring broad immunization coverage across the local government area. Warri expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers for their dedication and promised to personally oversee the campaign to ensure its success.
While focusing on healthcare, Comrade Warri’s unscheduled visit to Okugbe Primary School in Ikpide-Irri, Delta State, revealed a shocking crisis in the education sector. The chairman discovered that the school, which serves over 170 pupils, has only one teacher. The visit was prompted by a social pressure group, Concerned Indigenes of Ikpide-Irri for Development (CIID), which had raised alarm about the deteriorating state of education and infrastructure in the community.
Visibly disturbed by the situation, Warri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revamping the education sector. “Education is the bedrock of every society, and this situation is unacceptable. My administration will not tolerate such neglect,” he said, pledging to deploy additional teachers to the school within the next month.
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The chairman also noted that the community’s lack of basic amenities—ranging from healthcare facilities to clean water—would be addressed, though he acknowledged that local government resources are limited. Warri promised to work closely with Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to ensure the community receives the support it desperately needs.
The chairman’s visit sparked hope among the residents of Ikpide-Irri, many of whom have long felt neglected by the government. Speaking at the community town hall, CIID representatives appealed to Warri for urgent intervention in critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The group highlighted the tragic loss of a pregnant woman last year due to the community’s lack of functional healthcare facilities.
“We are an agrarian community contributing to the state’s food security, but we’ve been left behind in terms of development. We need teachers, a functioning health center, and other basic amenities to thrive,” said Comrade Obruozie Tom Odiuzou, speaking on behalf of CIID.
Comrade Warri’s administration is taking a holistic approach to community development, focusing on both immediate healthcare needs and long-term investments in education. As he walked through the community, assessing schools, health centers, and water facilities, Warri stressed that his government is committed to addressing these challenges, albeit with limited resources.
