Roli Mabo Foundation Brings Healthcare to Ubagboro, Pushes Cluster Model for Riverine Area

The Roli Mabo Foundation has officially opened the newly constructed Ubagboro Community Health Centre today, transforming a long-neglected government facility into a fully functional healthcare hub for the community and surrounding riverine areas. The twin-building center, originally constructed by the Warri North Local Government Council in 2017 but left non-operational, is now ready to provide vital medical services to local residents.

Ade Mabo, founder of the Roli Mabo Foundation, said the reopening is part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare access in remote areas. “The solution to the healthcare problem in riverine communities is clusters,” Mabo said. He explained that building more primary healthcare centres across multiple riverine communities will ensure timely access to care and the protection of lives.

According to Mabo, the master plan of the Roli Mabo Foundation is to establish clusters of healthcare centers throughout the region. “Many of these communities are remote with minimal government presence. By building centers in clusters, we ensure that people are seen, heard, and able to access basic care. This is how we help communities thrive,” he said.

The centre is now equipped with essential medical equipment, a steady supply of medications, and trained personnel whose salaries are fully covered by Ade Mabo. Day-to-day operations and funding are also overseen by Ade Mabo through the Roli Mabo Foundation. In a show of shared commitment, the community has agreed to pay the salary of one nurse, establishing a partnership approach aimed at sustaining the facility.

The arrangement promotes a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Patrick Edun, Chairman of the Ubagboro Community Trust, welcomed the Foundation’s intervention. “This health centre is a testament to the philanthropic spirit of the Roli Mabo Foundation and its commitment to empowering communities,” he said. Edun added that the facility will help meet the health needs of the population, especially the most vulnerable, and contribute to the overall development of the community.

He also called for additional support from both government and non-governmental organizations to address other pressing community needs, including solar power, sand for housing, teachers’ quarters, canalization of hazardous creeks, and community empowerment programs.

Neighboring communities such as Aja-Solo, Ugbekoko, Obodo Flow Station, Obotie, Aja-Arun-Itameta, Omakiri, Kuetoru, Adagbrassa, Makaraba, Ugboritseduwa and others many of whom have benefited from Roli Mabo Foundation initiatives were present at the opening ceremony.

A nurse working at the Ubagboro Health Centre expressed confidence that the fully equipped facility, with trained staff and essential medical supplies, would not only meet the healthcare needs of the Ubagboro community but also provide timely support to neighboring communities, improving access to care and promoting healthier lives across the region.

The Roli Mabo Foundation is widely recognized for its extensive humanitarian work across the riverine region, addressing critical gaps in healthcare, education, and social services.