GAGI (Sokoto) – The District Head of Gagi, Sokoto South Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Umar, on Tuesday said residents of the area have raised N500,000 for enrolment in the community health insurance scheme.
He also said that the people of the area had already opened a dedicated bank account for their monthly donations meant for the execution of the scheme.
Umar told newsmen in Sokoto that the fund would be used for the execution of other self-help development projects across the community, which is located some few kilometres east of Sokoto city.
“We have to take our destiny into our own hands. The three tiers of government are trying their best in terms of the provision of social amenities to the people.
“However, there are so many social needs of the people requiring the attention of the government and its efforts must have to be complemented by Nigerians,” said the monarch.
According to Umar, the health insurance scheme will focus on the provision of free medicare to pregnant women, children below the age of five and other indigent members of the community.
The traditional ruler further explained that other self-help projects to be executed by the fund include education, water and electricity supply, security and other social needs of the residents.
He also advised the government to integrate the existing Islamiya schools into the modern teaching and learning.
“They can also be assisted with adequate funding and other infrastructure at their own locations.
“This will enhance their efficiency, curb street begging, boost security and help in providing a database for them,” Umar said.
The traditional ruler also stressed the need for revamping the nation’s agricultural sector, re-introduction of commodity boards, improvement in power supply and bolstering efforts to further tame poverty and unemployment in the nation.
“Doing so will further help in reducing the negative consequences of these social problems, including insecurity, youth restiveness and other sundry crimes,” he said. (NAN)