The Charles Kene Ojukwu Initiative Foundation (CKOiF) has enrolled about 100 residents of Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme (ASHIA).
Beneficiaries include men and women above 50 years, as well as expectant mothers.
The gesture, according to the founder, Dr. Charles Kenechukwu Ojukwu, aligns with his vision to promote quality healthcare and improve life expectancy in his community.
Dr. Ojukwu, a Canada-based medical consultant fondly known by his traditional title Okunenyeife Chukwu Munyelu n’Abatete, also empowered 28 youths in hairdressing and barbing with a donation of over ₦1 million.
The youth empowerment project will be managed by the Abatete Development Organization (ADO), led by Ichie Ezebinobi Nwadike.
Speaking at the event in Orofia, Ogbu Village Hall, the Manager of CKOiF, Mr. Sylvester Ojiugo, urged beneficiaries to maximize both the healthcare access and health education provided.
“Health is wealth, and that’s why our foundation is reducing the cost of accessing quality healthcare services for Abatete people,” Ojiugo explained.
“Youths are also lacking focus in today’s society, so we are sponsoring people to learn skills for self-reliance. After training, they will be supported to start their own businesses. In the nearest future, we hope they will become employers of labour.”
The elder brother of the benefactor, Chief Chinedu Ojukwu, added that the programme was designed to reach across the four quarters of Abatete—Nsukwu, Odida, Agbaja, and Ogbu—as well as non-indigenes residing in the town.
Representing the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Mr. Izuchukwu Ogbaji confirmed that the new enrollees would begin accessing healthcare services from November 1, once their ID cards were processed.
He praised the foundation’s intervention, saying:
“Rising healthcare costs make many people avoid hospitals and resort to self-help.
“Since 2018, people have been testifying that ASHIA is working. It is not politics, it is real. We commend CKOi Foundation for promoting good health and well-being in Abatete (SDG 3).”
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude. Mrs. Theresa Ekpunobi, a pensioner, recalled how useful ASHIA was during her active service and thanked the foundation for giving her the opportunity to benefit again as a retiree.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Innocent Oraeki, noted:
“We have been hearing of ASHIA, but we couldn’t benefit because of the money involved. The foundation made it possible for us, and we are grateful.”
Explaining his motivation, Dr. Ojukwu lamented that many young people in Nigeria are politically and economically marginalized, often manipulated by politicians for short-term gains.
“They are at the lowest rung of socio-economic development, depending entirely on what the government dishes out, with no voice to demand better.
“Many are brainwashed and bribed with one-off bread to sell their votes,” he said.
He noted that the foundation’s interventions aim to awaken the conscience of the people and demonstrate a socio-economic framework that can sustain them.
Dr. Ojukwu further highlighted other interventions of CKOiF, including sponsorship of over 50 pupils in primary and secondary schools, and tuition support for more than 25 tertiary students.
“We are enrolling this first set for health insurance. We are also fully sponsoring community skills acquisition in hairdressing and barbing.
Beyond training, we will support beneficiaries to establish businesses, so they can achieve financial independence and in turn mentor and empower others in a cascade pattern,” he explained.
The foundation projects that its initiatives will contribute to improved health and human development indices in Anambra State and across Nigeria.
