JMEF Unveils Series of Intervention Programmes, List Communities in Delta as First Beneficiaries

Some communities in Delta State have been selected as first set of beneficiaries of the programme of a non governmental organization, “Jesu Marie Empowerment Foundation” JMEF, with focus on health interventions, empowerment, education and immunization.

This was announced at the formal unveiling of the foundation, founded by a one time Special Adviser on Health Matters to former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr (Mrs) Rukevwe Ugwumba and chaired by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator (Dr) Olanrewaju Tejuoso, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.

Dr Ugwumba who is the President of the Foundation, in her opening remarks disclosed that communities in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu and Uvwie have been selected for the pilot scheme of the programme, noting that the exercise will last for eight days in the localities.

She said the health interventions programmes are designed to prevent diseases, improve health and promote the lives of Nigerians, stressing “Our programs and strategies are designed to reach people outside the traditional health care setting and hard reach places “.

“Jesu Marie Foundation will encourage youths, women and children to take charge of their lives by addressing their situations and take necessary actions to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values and attitude towards life and conduct relevant skills acquisition workshops “, Dr Ugwumba said.

The former Special Adviser on health to the Delta State Government, noted that the foundation has since identified that government can not do it alone hence the intervention, stating that the target of local communities is to have direct long term positive effect on the people.

Dr Ugwumba emphasized that improving access to education has been on the mainstream development agenda for developing nations, largely because of the poverty reduction potential that education offers, maintaining that the foundation is also active in immunization programmes by distributing vaccines to people who can not afford it.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator (Dr) Olanrewaju Tejuoso who commended Dr Ugwumba for the objectives of the foundation, said health of Nigerians is a major aspect of the present administration, stating that the challenges of the nation’s health sector could only be addressed by the people.

Dr Tejuoso noted that for the country to enjoy good healthcare system, nothing less than 15% of budgetary allocation must go to the health sector, disclosing that the recently approved 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is a home grown declaration to support the healthcare services in Nigeria.

He said with the 1% funds, additional 57billion naira was added to this year’s budget of the health sector, bringing it to 8% of the total country’s budget for 2018 fiscal year.

The Guest Speaker, Prof Rotimi Jaiyesimi, a London based Medical Doctor, who also commended Dr Rukevwe Ugwumba for her efforts in developing the local communities, said one must be healthy to enjoy a quality life and challenged government to do more in providing quality healthcare to the people.

The present and immediate past Presidents, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Francis Faduyile and Prof Mike Ogirima, said the NMA, particularly the Delta State branch of the association will collaborate with Jesu Marie Foundation in its community based health interventions programs and medical missions.

The National President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, an affiliate of Medical Women’s International Association, Dr Joyce Barber and the Delta Chapter President of the body, Dr Euphemia Ngozi Ali, stressed the need for care of the health and social needs of the people and commended Dr Ugwumba for her focus on women, girls and children in her programs.

Others who spoke including the traditional ruler of Mbiri kingdom in Ika North East local government area, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Alekwe II, described Dr Ugwumba as a very patriotic Nigerian who has the development of the people at heart.

The event featured live musical performances, ribs cracking jokes by seasoned comedians across the country and the cutting of cake to mark the 48th birthday anniversary of the President and Founder of the foundation, Dr Rukevwe Ugwumba.