H.E. Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu on Friday 29/10/2020, commissioned a Skills Acquisition Center at the Kebbi state Ministry of Women Affairs. The center comprises 3 units namely a computer training unit, tailoring training unit and catering unit. Also equipped are units for teaching cosmetology, tie and dye, and bead making. Women from across the state can access the free courses upon purchasing a N500 form. The center is an effort of Kebbi state government to pull as many women as possible out of extreme poverty.

During the opening ceremony, Dr Bagudu enjoined staff of the ministry to institute good management and disseminate full information to the public about the center. In similar vein, she called on women to enroll in order to benefit from the skills acquisition.

She then proceeded to empower 20 newly trained women with tailoring machines, refrigerators, and grinding machines.

Dignitaries presents include Haj Hurraira Babale Umar Wife of SSG, Special Adviser to the Governor on women and social development, Hon Zahrau Wali, Perm Sec Hon Aisha Maikurata and the wives of 12 local government chairmen. All took turns to encourage unemployed women to enroll at the center to acquire skills that will help them become self reliant. They also thanked the Governor of Kebbi state H.E Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for always enabling programs of the ministry which exemplifies his commitment to the empowerment of women and youth in the state.

Thereafter, the entourage proceeded to the Kebbi state Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, where they were received and taken round the newly upgraded and remodeled building by the Chairman of the governing board, Hon Muhammad Gado Marafa. Also present to receive the august visitor were Executive Secretary Dr Jafar Augie and all the directors.

In her address, The First lady of Kebbi state stressed healthcare insurance as the way forward for the provision of health care for the people of Kebbi.

“I do a lot of cancer advocacy as you all know, and there is no doubts cancer patients will benefit a lot from universal health coverage. This is why I am very keen to see this scheme become a reality”

She congratulated the staff of the agency and promised to extend her advocacy to ensure its full take off.

In an earlier statement, Dr Jafar Muhammad Augie welcomed the First Lady, commending her efforts to ensure that the states get its health insurance scheme.

“We know the kind of advocacies she has been doing on our behalf at the National health insurance scheme and back home to enhance knowledge and acceptance of social health insurance” he said.

The Secretary added that the main aim of setting up the agency is to establish a state social health insurance scheme while its secondary purpose is as a gateway to the basic health care provision fund program which they intend to utilize in targeting the vulnerables who contribute to the negative indices of Kebbi.

The Executive Secretary gave a full breakdown of how the agency came to be, its progress and what it stands to achieve.

Muktar Bagudo
SSA Kebbi State Government