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Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers: FCT Residents Commend NYSC On Free Medicare

Published

3 years ago

October 23, 2023

By Joel Ajayi Abuja

A cross-section of residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has applauded the National Youth Service Corps for providing free medical services for them saying it would enhance their well-being.

The Etsu Piwoyi Community, Mr Tanko Lazarus gave this applause today on behalf of members of his community during the official flag-off of NYSC Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers held at Piwoyi.

He commended the NYSC Management and Corps Medical team for the kind gesture, adding that the free medical services would improve their overall well-being.

The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed who was represented at the event by the Director of, Ventures Management Department, Prince Mohammed Momoh said the programme was targeted at ameliorating the health needs of the grassroots who have little or no access to quality and affordable healthcare.

He added that the Scheme would continue to ensure that the total well-being of the rural dwellers is given topmost priority by deploying high-quality medical personnel for free Medicare.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that our various stakeholders, both Governmental and Non-Governmental have contributed immensely to the success recorded by the Scheme”, the DG said.

In her introductory address, the Director, of Community Development and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah said apart from NYSC’s contributions to national development, the Scheme has also helped in sensitizing communities on various ailments, causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

She added that Corps Members have also mobilized resources constructed cottage clinics and renovated numerous health facilities across the country.

She disclosed that Corps Members have also launched campaigns in the mitigation of malaria, HIV/AIDS prevention, Guinea worm eradication, immunization against measles, and polio vaccines and contributed significantly in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Scheme’s bold determination to make a meaningful impact in healthcare delivery commenced with the launch of HIRD in 2014 geared towards improving the well-being of rural dwellers.

The Mobile Clinic initiative was launched in 2022 and tagged ‘NYSC Mobile Healthcare Intervention’ which has helped to strengthen the impact of the programme by providing wider coverage for thousands of persons in rural communities in the FCT”, Zainab added.

In his goodwill message on behalf of the National Blood Services Commission, the Director, of Blood Service, Dr Ayoola Olufemi commended the NYSC Management for promoting HIRD for the well-being of the populace. He urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of free blood donation while he pledged more support from the commission to NYSC.

Also in his goodwill address on behalf of the Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS, Dr. Opeyemi Yekini said “Health is a prerequisite for social and economic development. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with NYSC Medical team. I urge you to sustain this noble initiative”.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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