By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt

Life Jacket and Healthcare Initiative Adhoc Group for Public Safety and Community Health Education has announced far-reaching plans to scale up its life-saving operations across Rivers State in 2026.

The group intensifies efforts to promote public safety, emergency response awareness, and community health education.

The expansion plan was unveiled at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt weekend and brought together health professionals, community leaders, volunteers, and development partners committed to reducing preventable deaths in the state.

Addressing participants, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Initiative, Chief Ambrose Kii, described the year 2026 as a “decisive year” for the organization, stressing that its mission goes beyond advocacy to practical, on-the-ground intervention.

“We are expanding because the need is urgent,” Chief Kii said. “Too many lives are lost daily to avoidable accidents, poor emergency response, and lack of basic health and safety knowledge. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation, and we are determined to contribute our quota to building that nation.”

He urged members to work harder and surpass the achievements of previous years, noting that the value of the Initiative’s work cannot be measured by numbers alone.

“If all our efforts in a year result in saving just one life, then the work is worth it,” he said. “There is joy in heaven and joy on earth when a single life is preserved.”

Chief Kii lamented that many accident victims die unnecessarily from seizures, heart failure, or delayed medical attention, often due to ignorance of basic emergency response procedures.

“Most of these deaths should not happen,” he stated. “If members of the public are enlightened on international safety standards and first response actions, many victims will survive long enough to receive proper medical care.”

He called on government authorities to introduce three-digit toll-free emergency numbers, similar to global best practices, and to ensure ambulances are strategically positioned across major roads and communities in Rivers State.

“Emergency response must be fast,” he emphasized. “People should be able to call for help immediately, and ambulances should not be stuck in traffic. The public must also be educated to always give way to ambulances and emergency vehicles.”

As a demonstration of his commitment, Chief Kii donated a computer to strengthen the Initiative’s administrative and data management capacity and pledged continued funding to support its programs and outreach activities.

The Patron of the Initiative, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, former Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Professor of Counselling Psychology, praised the organization for its consistency and compassion-driven approach to public service.

“What this Initiative is doing is not just health advocacy; it is humanity in action,” Prof. Kinanee said. “Guidance, counselling, and education are critical in changing behavior, especially in emergencies. I commend the leadership and members for their selfless service.”

He encouraged volunteers and coordinators to remain disciplined, professional, and empathetic in their engagement with the public.

A major highlight of the meeting was the comprehensive presentation by the National Coordinator, Miss Salome Nwiku, who reviewed the group’s activities over the past year, reeled out key accomplishments, and presented a detailed 2026 operational blueprint.

She disclosed that the Initiative had successfully carried out safety awareness campaigns, community trainings, and volunteer mobilization efforts, particularly in high-risk and underserved areas.

“Our journey so far has shown that awareness saves lives,” Miss Nwiku said. “We have seen communities respond positively when they are educated on safety, first aid, and emergency response.”

Outlining plans for 2026, she said the Initiative would expand its training programs, strengthen partnerships with government agencies and health institutions, deploy more volunteers, and increase outreach to schools, riverine communities, motor parks, and public spaces.

“In 2026, we are focusing on prevention, preparedness, and rapid response,” she added. “Our goal is to ensure that no life is lost simply because help came too late or knowledge was lacking.”

Also speaking at the event, the Outreach Coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Princess Barikui, a former lawmaker, stressed the importance of taking health and safety education directly to the grassroots.

“Policies and programs only make sense when they reach the people,” she said. “Our outreach strategy is people-centered. We are going into communities to listen, to educate, and to empower residents to take responsibility for their safety and health.”

Dr. Barikui reaffirmed the Initiative’s commitment to inclusive engagement, noting that women, youths, the elderly, and residents of riverine and accident-prone areas would remain a priority.

“Preventable deaths must be prevented,” she said. “Every community deserves the knowledge and tools to protect life.”

The stakeholders’ meeting ended on a note of renewed commitment, with members expressing optimism that the Life Jacket and Healthcare Initiative’s 2026 expansion would significantly improve public safety awareness and emergency preparedness across Rivers State.