Journalists Health Insurance Gets A Boost with Hundreds Enrolled in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

A major push to improve the welfare of journalists gathered momentum in Nigeria’s capital as media leaders and government officials called on philanthropists and public office holders to sponsor health insurance for reporters.

The call came as more than 150 journalists were enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme during the launch of a healthcare initiative by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council in Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, used the occasion to urge philanthropists, political leaders, business executives and religious institutions to support journalists by purchasing health insurance coverage for them.

According to her, journalists play a critical role in society by amplifying the voices of citizens and holding institutions accountable, yet many remain without access to basic healthcare protection.

“My purpose of coming here today is to ask political office holders, religious leaders and individuals who want their voices to be heard to buy health insurance for a journalist,” she said.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, is aimed at addressing the long-standing welfare concerns of journalists working in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ike described the launch as a historic turning point for the union, noting that it represents the first structured health insurance programme specifically targeted at journalists in the territory.

“Journalists dedicate their lives to informing the public and shaping national conversations, yet their welfare is often overlooked,” she said. “This initiative is about protecting those who work tirelessly to keep society informed.”

She commended the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Akin Rotimi Jr., for supporting the programme and helping initiate the insurance coverage.

She also praised Fasawe for providing 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members and acknowledged the support of the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Health Secretariat, Babagana Adam, who pledged to sponsor 50 additional journalists in memory of his late brother.

With these contributions, Ike disclosed that about 200 journalists in the FCT have already secured health insurance coverage under the scheme.

Fasawe further announced an additional 50 insurance slots during the event, pushing the coverage to about 65 per cent of NUJ members in the territory. She revealed that about 480 out of the estimated 800 journalists operating in the FCT are now captured under the health insurance programme.

The health official stressed that expanding insurance coverage aligns with the healthcare reforms being pursued by the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

She noted that the administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward maternal mortality and has expanded access to free antenatal care and delivery services for vulnerable pregnant women across primary healthcare centres in the FCT.

Also speaking, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, said the initiative was a critical intervention given the extremely low health insurance coverage among journalists nationwide.

He revealed that studies show less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, leaving many vulnerable to high out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The programme, unveiled during the NUJ FCT Congress attended by more than 450 members, was widely welcomed by journalists who described it as a long-awaited step toward improving the welfare and security of media professionals in the nation’s capital.

Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that sustained support from government agencies, private organisations and philanthropists would help extend health insurance coverage to all journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.

Journalists Health Insurance Gets A Boost with Hundreds Enrolled in Abuja

Before Calling for DSS Disbandment, Look at the Results

By: Olumide Bajulaiye

At a time when Nigeria continues to confront terrorism, kidnapping, and organized crime, calls for the disbandment of the Department of State Services (DSS) are not only misplaced but dangerously dismissive of the agency’s recent achievements.

Under the leadership of Oluwatosin Ajayi, the DSS has demonstrated renewed operational focus and intelligence capability in confronting some of the country’s most pressing security threats. Rather than dismantling the agency, the conversation should focus on strengthening and supporting the institution that quietly works behind the scenes to protect Nigerians.

Across the North-East, North-West, and the Middle Belt, the DSS has intensified intelligence-driven operations that have disrupted terror cells and prevented numerous kidnapping plots. These are not abstract claims; they are measurable results that have directly contributed to saving lives and stabilizing communities.

One of the most significant achievements has been the successful prosecution and conviction of key terrorist figures linked to groups such as Ansaru and commanders associated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Convictions of this magnitude signal not only effective intelligence gathering but also coordination with the justice system to ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law.

The DSS has also expanded its operational reach beyond traditional conflict zones. Coordinated operations in Abuja, as well as in Nasarawa State, Ebonyi State, and Akwa Ibom State, have led to the arrest of arms couriers and logistics suppliers for terrorist groups. In some cases, even women acting as logistical coordinators for terror networks were apprehended, demonstrating the depth of the agency’s intelligence penetration.

Perhaps one of the most striking operations occurred in Asaba, where DSS operatives intercepted a major arms smuggling network. The operation led to the recovery of more than 50 AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), grenades, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition—an arsenal that could have fueled devastating attacks across the country.

The agency’s efforts have also translated into lifesaving rescue missions. In Kaduna State, coordinated DSS operations resulted in the rescue of 79 kidnapped victims. Similar rescue missions have taken place in Niger State, Kebbi State, and Katsina State, returning victims to their families and disrupting the financial networks that sustain kidnapping gangs.

Importantly, these are only the operations that reach the public domain. Intelligence agencies worldwide operate largely in secrecy, meaning many successful interventions remain undisclosed to protect ongoing investigations and operational methods.

This reality makes sweeping criticisms of the DSS particularly unfair. Security agencies should indeed be held accountable, but such scrutiny must be balanced with recognition of genuine accomplishments. Dismissing the agency outright ignores the complex and often dangerous work carried out daily by its officers.

Nigeria’s security challenges require strong institutions, professional leadership, and sustained intelligence operations. Under Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS appears to be repositioning itself toward that goal.

Rather than calling for its disbandment, Nigerians should demand continued reforms, improved oversight, and greater resources to ensure the DSS remains effective in safeguarding national security.

In the fight against terrorism and organized crime, weakening one of the country’s primary intelligence institutions would only serve the enemies of the state—not the Nigerian people.

Olumide Bajulaiye is the Publisher, Daily Dispatch Newspaper, also a media consultant

Before Calling for DSS Disbandment, Look at the Results

Zulum Approves Recruitment of Over 1,000 Health Workers, Revitalises 123 PHCs in Borno

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the recruitment and absorption of 1,037 health professionals and support staff to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Borno State.

The decision forms part of the state government’s broader effort to expand access to quality healthcare services at the grassroots and reinforce frontline medical services in communities across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Professor Mohammed Arab Alhaji, disclosed the development, noting that the governor approved the employment and absorption of 985 health professionals and 52 supportive staff into Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) statewide.

He further revealed that the state government also approved the engagement of 341 additional health professionals through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to complement the existing workforce and strengthen service delivery in health facilities.

Arab explained that the initiative aligns with efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage while supporting the health component of the state’s long-term development framework.

According to him, a significant portion of the newly absorbed workers — 859 health professionals of various cadres — were drawn from the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project and redeployed to PHCs across the state.

He added that another 111 health professionals and 52 support staff have been assigned to five health facilities located in Goni Damgari, Wulari, Shuwari, Miringa and Fikayel. In addition, 15 health professionals have been posted to two PHCs in Mobbar Local Government Area to address staffing shortages in the area.

Beyond workforce expansion, the governor also authorised the implementation of the new minimum wage for health workers alongside improved allowances aimed at boosting morale and enhancing productivity within the sector.

In a further push to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, the state government has completed the renovation and upgrade of 123 PHCs across Borno. The upgraded facilities have been equipped with solar-powered boreholes, essential medicines and medical consumables.

The revitalisation exercise was carried out through partnerships involving the state government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Global Fund and the IMPACT Immunisation Programme.

The interventions are part of ongoing efforts by the Zulum administration to rebuild and strengthen healthcare services in communities affected by years of insurgency while ensuring residents, particularly those in rural areas, have improved access to basic and affordable medical care.

Zulum Approves Recruitment of Over 1,000 Health Workers, Revitalises 123 PHCs in Borno