Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Ogun State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), commissions a dedicated ambulance boat to expand emergency healthcare access for riverine and hard-to-reach communities, marking a major boost for grassroots health delivery.
The ambulance boat, unveiled on Thursday in Makun-Omi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, is designed to overcome long-standing transport barriers that delay emergency response across water-locked settlements.
Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, says the intervention aligns with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s agenda to strengthen primary healthcare and reduce preventable deaths in underserved communities.
“This terrain has denied residents timely medical attention for decades,” Coker says. “The ambulance boat provides swift emergency response and strengthens our referral system, particularly for maternal and child health.”
She adds that the initiative complements broader healthcare reforms targeting immunisation, emergency services and community-based care.
Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Adetoye Odunoiki, represented by Olabode Ogunlana, describes the project as “timely and life-saving,” noting that it reflects sustained collaboration between government and development partners.
Representing UNICEF, Florence Moloku, Vaccine Supply and Logistics Consultant, commends the state’s commitment to child and maternal survival.
“This boat supports immunisation outreach and emergency response,” Moloku says. “Sustained maintenance by host communities is critical to its long-term impact.”
Community leader Aderonke Adekunmisi, Chairperson of Ward Development Councils, says the facility will “significantly improve healthcare access for pregnant women, children and the elderly.”
The project reinforces Ogun’s push to bridge healthcare inequality between urban and remote communities.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Koko Maxwella 