Health

Rising Star Footbal League Brings Relief to Over 100 Pregnant and Sick Women

Published

4 months ago

November 6, 2024

By Joel Ajayi

The Rising Stars Football League (RSFL) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as sick patients, at the Primary Health Care Center in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Driven by a desire to support underprivileged individuals, RSFL covered maternity bills and provided essential supplies from registration through delivery, including routine medication, easing financial burdens for many.

In line with their commitment to community development, RSFL representatives visited the hospital on Wednesday, paying for the maternity needs of pregnant women and supporting nursing mothers. This compassionate gesture aligns with RSFL’s ongoing mission not only to promote youth talent in sports but also to give back to society.

Speaking at the hospital, RSFL Project Coordinator Ifeanyi Kama emphasized that the support extended to these women is part of the organization’s promise made during the 2024 Rising Stars Football League season. “RSFL is more than football; it’s about helping communities and developing individuals. We’re creating opportunities for those who lack them, believing that sports can shape better futures and stronger communities,” Kama said.

He further explained RSFL’s outreach efforts beyond football: “We’re reaching out to people in hospitals, schools, and markets, even assisting associations like Okada riders and security outfits. Seeing the joy on people’s faces is a privilege. I feel a sense of joy, as if I could fly. We all know how challenging life in Nigeria is now, and even a small gesture can be life-changing.”

Kama noted that the RSFL plans to extend its outreach to other regions, including an upcoming visit to Lagos.

Expressing gratitude, one of the beneficiaries, Hannah David, a pregnant mother, shared, “I’m so grateful they came to our aid. Many of us cannot afford delivery materials, and RSFL has helped us from registration to delivery. In this tough economy, their support means everything.”

Another expectant mother, Amaka Chukuma, echoed this sentiment: “We deeply appreciate RSFL for paying all our antenatal bills and providing delivery items. Their generosity is truly noble, and we can’t thank them enough.”

Miss Friday Lora, a midwife at the center, lauded the RSFL initiative, saying, “What RSFL has done here is remarkable. Many mothers lack the finances to buy necessary items for their pregnancies. This support in paying bills and providing delivery essentials will make a lasting impact. You can see the joy it brings.”

The Rising Stars Football League continues to make a meaningful difference, bringing hope to communities and demonstrating the power of sports to create lasting, positive change.

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Health

Pate Urges National Health Fellows participants to enhance existing reforms

Published

3 weeks ago

February 27, 2025

The Gleamer

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has urged participants of the maiden National Health Fellows Programme to build on the existing health sector reforms.

Pate made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja, at the training session for participants of the fellowship.

According to him, the participants are future leaders who will accelerate healthcare reform, improve accountability, and have the opportunity to be coached and mentored.

He emphasised the importance of their commitment to contributing to the country’s health sector reforms and to continuous learning, so that together, they can build a stronger, more reliable healthcare system.

The minister noted that the participants’ efforts were crucial in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a prosperous and healthy Nigeria.

“We are genuinely interested in your development and in giving you the opportunity to learn and to contribute.

“When you exit from the programme, we hope you will acquire skills and some understanding of yourselves that you will sow into the future.”

Regarding the selection process, Pate said that the 774 participants were chosen from about 359,000 applicants, adding that it was a merit-based selection with a huge representation of women, men and disabled population.

He, however, said that the unsuccessful candidates would be encouraged to participate in the Associate Health Fellows programme.

Some of the participants said they saw it as a huge opportunity to serve the nation and pledged to make good use of it.

One of the participants, Mr Godswill Micheal from Sidi Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State, said that he had been looking forward to such opportunity and that his participation in the programme has renewed his hope in the country.

He added that he had been working in communities for years and that participating in the programme was an opportunity for him to upscale his activities and do much better for his community.

He urged other Nigerian youths to keep hope alive as the country would get better soon and everyone would enjoy its dividends.

The newly unveiled one-year National Health Fellows Programme is aimed at boosting the health sector.

The programme brought together emerging professionals across several disciplines.

This includes health, health-related fields, information technology, and social sciences intended to cultivate a cadre of highly skilled and motivated health leaders capable of driving innovation in the health sector.

Championed by the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII) SWAp Coordination Office under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, it drew participants from all the 774 LGAs.

NAN

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