….As Perm Sec offers additional 50 in honour of late brother Mohammed Alkali
The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, offered 150 free health insurance enrolments to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
The Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, also pledged to sponsor an additional 50 members as his personal contribution in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, a former head of Press and Public Relations Unit in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Theses were announced in Abuja when a delegation of the NUJ FCT Council led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat.
With the pledges, a total of 200 free health insurance enrolments have been offered to members of the NUJ FCT Council, with expectations that additional stakeholders will support the initiative.
This was as Dr. Fasawe described the gesture as part of ongoing efforts to expand affordable healthcare access and promote universal health coverage in the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that the media remains a critical partner in health promotion and public enlightenment.
Fasawe said that health promotion focuses on prevention, noting that informed journalists who benefit from the scheme will help amplify awareness about the importance of health insurance.
According to her; “Prevention is better than cure. If journalists are well informed about our scheme, benefit from it, and access free healthcare services, the message naturally spreads”.
Fasawe further said that the FCT Health Insurance Scheme guarantees enrolees access to free healthcare services for one year at accredited facilities upon payment of an annual premium of N22,500, covering services including delivery, surgeries, and emergency care.
She acknowledged that poor health-seeking habits among residents are often driven by financial constraints and lack of trust in the system, stressing that the administration is committed to rebuilding confidence through reliable service delivery.
“Health is wealth. When we say we will provide healthcare, we will deliver,” she stated.
Speaking in turn, Dr. Babagana Adam said he would personally fund the enrolment of 50 NUJ members annually and called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand coverage.
He said; “We need a comprehensive database to engage more partners. Beyond government, we can mobilise philanthropists to increase enrollment figures, possibly up to 300”.
Adam noted that poor remuneration in parts of the media industry affects objectivity, underscoring the need to support journalists’ welfare.
“I am also doing this contribution in honour of my late brother, Mohammed Alkali killed in line of duty,” he assured.
He encouraged the leadership of the NUJ FCT Council to pick the most vulnerable Journalists who genuinely cannot afford health care, as beneficiaries of the free health care scheme being donated.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, commended the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for expanding access, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and promoting inclusive healthcare.
Ike said; “Your initiatives have touched countless lives, from vulnerable families to civil servants, ensuring that no one is left behind”.
The NUJ Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the union to promoting public awareness of health insurance benefits and advocating improved service delivery.
Ike however, appealed for rebates to enable more members enroll, noting that financial constraints remain a major challenge for journalists, thus called for sustained collaboration to combat misinformation, boost enrolment drives, and ensure healthcare becomes a right rather than a privilege for all FCT residents.
