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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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Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

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