From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, in partnership with Chairmen of Six Local Government Areas in the state, have enrolled no fewer than 1,200 less-privileged women into the state’s Health Insurance Scheme.
The gesture was part of programmes outlined by the Agency under its EmpowerHer project which is also aimed at training the beneficiaries on financial and digital skills.
The Director General of the Nasarawa State HCD Agency, Habiba Balarabe Suleiman made the disclosure during a financial literacy and economic inclusion outreach held yesterday at the Emir’s Palace in the Awe LGA, and Ribi community in the same LGA.
She explained that the 1,200 beneficiaries were drawn from 12 communities across the six LGAs of Lafia, Awe, Wamba, Akwanga, Keffi and karu.
The DG said, “We are here to extend the gestures of the EmpowerHer programme to the good people of Awe Local Government Area. Awe part is part of the Local Governments selected for this phase one.
“The 1,200 beneficiaries will enjoy a lot of services including the enrollment into the state’s Health Insurance Schemes. These women will be enrolled for free.
“It is a contribution by the Local Government Chairmen in the six selected LGAs. They are going to bare the costs for the enrollment of the 1,200 women in the Health Insurance Scheme.
“We are doing this because we do not want a situation where our beneficiaries may fall ill and have to dive into their business profits or even their capitals to be able to sort their medical bills. So, this is put in place to ensure that their businesses are protected and their profits are maximised.”
Habiba Balarabe Suleiman further explained that the state’s HCD Agency is currently working towards clustering the women into cooperatives to register them with the Corporate Affairs Commission in order to enable them easily access financial interventions from the government and other recognised establishments in the country.
While noting that the 1,200 women are also being trained on financial literacy, the DG said the aim is to enable them digitise their businesses in order for them to operate without any hindrances, explaining that most women face challenges of maximising their profits because they lack the necessary skills to advance their respective businesses.
“We have 100 women per community from the 12 communities, making it a total of 1,200 women. We need to get them ready for opportunities that abound. For example, there are a lot of Federal Government grants that most of our women do not qualify for, simply because they do not have Bank Accounts. So, we are trying to provide a platform to get them ready for opportunities which would enable them show their potentials.
“For those who do not have bank accounts, we are offering bank account opening service, and helping them reactive dormant accounts. We will also ensure that they get National Identity Numbers and other technical and funding support,” she added.
While expressing her gratitude to the Africa Human Capital Development Plus for always supporting the Agency in its activities, the Director General urged stakeholders in Nasarawa State to key into the HCD agency’s agenda so as to accelerate development in the state, as well as to ensure that all citizens achieve their full potentials.
On his part, the Chairman of Awe Local Government Area of the state, Umar Abubakar Dan’akano, represented by the Secretary of the LGA, Yunusa Ismaila thanked the state’s HCD Agency for the partnership, while commending the Director General for the various opportunities given to beneficiaries from the LGA.
He, therefore urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the gesture to improve their livelihoods and guarantee their future.
One of the beneficiaries, Peace Nuhu, who spoke on behalf of the others, while expressing her gratitude to the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, and leaders of the Awe LGA for the gestures, promised to make them proud by properly utilising all the opportunities made available to them.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the Emir of Awe, His Royal Highness, Isa Abubakar Umar II, commended the management and staff of the state’s HCD Agency for conceiving the idea of embarking on the EmpowerHer project, and assured of his support to the agency at all times.
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