By Asile Abel,Jos

The Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) has called upon media practitioners to rally behind its sustainable health insurance initiatives. The appeal was made by the Director-General of PLASCHEM, Dr Agabus Manasseh in a one-day interface with media professionals in Jos, Plateau State, themed “Media: A Tool for Sustainable Development.”

Dr Agabus emphasized the pivotal role of media partnerships in disseminating vital information about PLASCHEMA’s health insurance policies, enrollment procedures, and benefits to the populace. He stressed that such collaboration aids in educating citizens about the significance of health insurance coverage and empowers them to make informed decisions concerning their healthcare needs.

Highlighting the media’s potential as a catalyst for policy advocacy, Agabus underscored its capacity to champion policies supportive of PLASCHEMA’s sustainable health insurance programs. Through raising awareness about the importance of governmental backing for healthcare initiatives and advocating for health insurance coverage, the media can sway public opinion and policy formulation in favor of expanding access to quality healthcare services.

“We believe that the media plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of social health insurance programs in Plateau State. By effectively communicating information about the benefits, coverage options, enrollment procedures, and updates related to health insurance programs, the media helps raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of health insurance coverage,” Nanfwang affirmed.

Director General also highlighted PLASCHEMA’s major achievements, including clearing arrears in capitation and fee-for-service payments, conducting house-to-house verifications of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund beneficiaries, and securing government funding to subsidize healthcare for the poor and vulnerable individuals across the state. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like Christian Aid and advocacy efforts with local government officials have resulted in increased uptake of health insurance.

Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, Chair of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, commended PLASCHEMA for recognizing the pivotal role of media practitioners in promoting and sensitizing the public about the importance of healthcare plans.

Moving forward, PLASCHEMA is actively pursuing collaborations and developing innovative ICT solutions to efficiently manage information systems and data, furthering its mission to achieve universal health coverage in Plateau State.

The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation, led by Honourable Member Representing Bichi Federal Constituency, has disbursed a total of N81,106,152.83 to cover the registration and tuition fees of over 3,000 students at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.

According to a statement released on Monday by Zaharadden Bello, Secretary General of the Foundation, 513 undergraduate degree students received full session payments totaling N35,670,253.38.

Bello also disclosed that over 2,000 NCE students benefited from the foundation’s scholarship.

“We’ve disbursed over N35,670,253.38 as full session payments to 513 degree students.

“Additionally, we’ve covered the first-semester registration fees for 2,487 students, totaling N45,435,899.45,” the statement said.

This is not the first time the lawmaker has covered the registration fees for indigenous students of Bichi local government.

In August 2023, the lawmaker paid the registration fee for the second term for 2,299 students of NCE at the Federal College of Education Bichi.

Furthermore, in December 2023, he settled the registration fees for an additional 2,337 students of the college.

The federal Government says its not considering any foreign military base in Nigeria.

Minister of information Muhammad Idris stated this in a press release issued to newsmen.

The statement reads as follows .

The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.

We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.

The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.