Bayelsa students learn emergency skills to improve response times
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In Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, the state’s Health Commissioner, announced a training program for secondary school students and teachers to improve emergency response capabilities.
FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited and NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P Joint Venture partnered with the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) to deliver the three-day program in Yenagoa. Over 100 students and 50 teachers received instruction in first aid, CPR, and other emergency skills.
Brisibe explained the training aligns with the state government’s goals to strengthen healthcare and increase life expectancy for residents. He stated Bayelsa ranks sixth in overall health spending but first per capita, having invested about N9 billion in healthcare during the first quarter of 2026. The government plans to extend the training to public institutions, the judiciary, the legislature, ministries, and eventually to community leaders.
Paschal Achunine, founder of HEI, said the program aims to shift public reaction to emergencies from recording events to providing immediate help. HEI estimates over 30% of deaths in Nigeria occur before reaching a hospital, and the organization has worked since 2017 to provide financial assistance for crash victims. HEI also partnered with the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council to include emergency health education in school curricula.
Emmanuel Etomi of FIRST E&P added that the program is an investment in community resilience.
