The Nigerian for Women Scale-Up Projects (NFWP-SU), Borno State Chapter, has sought the support of the Borno State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (BOSCHMA) to provide essential services to 49,000 vulnerable women in Marte, Dikwa, and Damboa local government areas.
Hajiya Aishatu Musa Sheikh, Project Coordinator of NFWP-SU in Borno State, led a delegation to BOSCHMA on a courtesy visit to explore collaboration on the initiative.
The proposed partnership will focus on providing the targeted women with access to healthcare services, National Identification Number (NIN) registration, and SIM card registration.
The initiative is in line with the development priorities of the Borno State Government, particularly efforts to reduce poverty and address the vulnerabilities created by years of insurgency and displacement.
Borno State’s 25-Year Development Framework identifies Human Capital Development and Healthy Citizenry among its five major transformation drivers, with a focus on recovery, resilience, inclusive development, and improved livelihoods.
Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, welcomed the delegation and expressed the agency’s readiness to support the proposed collaboration.
The ES emphasized the need for close coordination with the respective local government chairmen and the Borno State Social Investment Programme (BOSIMP) to ensure effective implementation.
Hon. Bukar Shettima, Executive Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area, attended the second day of the engagement and assured the team of his support for the initiative.
Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Airtel Manager, also expressed the company’s readiness to support the SIM card registration component of the programme.
Fatima Abba Mani, representing the General Manager of BOSIMP, pledged support for the NIN registration component in collaboration with Ali Abdullahi Ngamdu, a representative of JUADS Technology.
Dr Saleh urged the NFWP-SU team to develop a comprehensive work plan and begin implementation as soon as possible, stressing the importance of effective coordination among all stakeholders.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen coordination among BOSCHMA, NFWP-SU, BOSIMP, local government authorities, and relevant service providers while improving vulnerable women’s access to healthcare, identity documentation, and digital connectivity.
Dr Saleh and Shettima were presented as champions of the NFWP-SU initiative in recognition of their support and commitment to its successful implementation.
Aishatu thanked the BOSCHMA ES and his team for their warm reception, commitment, and support for the proposed collaboration.
She expressed optimism that the partnership would improve the well-being and socioeconomic inclusion of vulnerable women in the three targeted local government areas.